PaulJ

Sea Toilets are allowed on the River Great Ouse - note this a very different River and area to the 'other' River Ouse Its a great place to cruise a widebeam. If you want to cruise the whole river then you will need 10ft beam- 12ft is OK from Earith.

I thought the vollies there just carried on though winter off their own backs. Ive seen them each time Ive been down pre Xmas and one even set locks all the way down to Baddesley Basin for me 🙂👍

Theres a catch which holds it open and needs to be disengaged- left hand side if you are standing with your back to the pub. Something could do with a spot of grease on it I reckon-I noticed it was quite hard to get it moving the other day.

Me too. Definitley more drama than tree 😀

Drama over. All open again

No idea why its a problem- I maybe able tell you when I get there shortly 😀 Just a heads up to anyone trying to beat the stoppages starting on the 8th..

Only found this by accident last night as I was checking another stoppage. Not sure if Im the only one who didnt get a notification for this or not. Sure it will be shifted soon hopefully... From Date: 03/01/2024 14:15 To Date: On-going Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Information Is the towpath closed? No Location Closest waterway: Grand Union Canal Starts at: Lock 53 Ends at: Lock 53 Description Unfortunately a large tree has fallen over the lock which our team are unable to remove. We've made the decision to close the navigation until our contractors have removed the offending tree. We'll update this notice with more information when they've attended.

Heres one from the other side of the bridge for you then 😀

Not a bad idea although in my case I preferred 'kit form'. Last time I fitted one instead of messing about having to bend 30mm x 6mm strips into curves I made up a hardboard template took it to a local fabricator/machine shop and got them to cut them out for me. Saved me alot of time and banging about- had the inner panel cut to size too so just a matter of sticking it all on and adding a few skin fittings. Well worth the bit of extra material cost.

Wonder if Caldwells could send one out to you asap if you are struggling to find someone local Be worth a ring

There are a few places to moor along that bit- have a look on google maps- probably worth your time to have a wander and chat to people face to face. Theres some farm moorings close to Victoria Pit for instance. You will find the vast majority of boaters helpful and happy to talk/help. I started boating on a whim,wreck of a boat and no knowledge and havent looked back. If there were forums about when I started I wonder if it would have scared me off 😀

Sheridan Marine- look up.Lacing Hooks

Have you tried Garf, The Boat Yard, Ely?

Shame- if they had have waited for a bit they would have seen I had already cleared a path from Willington 😀

You wouldnt have done. You would probably have gone past the two narrowboats and moored closer to the entrance of Stenson Marina than you should have instead. Makes more sense if it HAD to be left.(Assuming it actually had some mooring pins on board of course) But then I doubt you would have left it either.. I am guessing the fact that the canal froze up ovenight was the main reason it didnt get moved first thing in the morning. Shiny new boat blacking and all that..

I like Excel and its my smokeless fuel of choice. Getting a bit dear now so gave Burnwell a try- its a couple of quid cheaper a 25kg sack and at least as good for heat, ash, staying in etc

I passed that at 8.00 am this morning- did think at the time I was glad I wasnt on a widebeam.. Interestingly both top gates were wide open which was great as it saved me having to fill the lock and open them myself😀

Was on a boat a couple of times which had /has a fold down bed in the forward cabin. It folds up into the cabin side in one piece like a very shallow full height wardrobe- had straps fitted so your duvet etc stayed in place. Just popped it down at night and your bed was made. Daytime you had a big empty space to use for whatever you wanted. Not sure what use that was actually intended for mind you but it was beautifully done, different and a big empty space on a relatively short boat.

You didnt leave anything behind after you took those pics did you? If so-the bomb squad (presumably) blew it up yesterday evening somewhere round there -guessing it was someones pack up or something..😀

I was following another boat going uphill - they were really struggling coming out the lock- entrance and lock were choked with leaves- they ended up in the trees on the opposite bank. Cleared it nicely for me though 😀

Only if you dont mind the windows being taped up and moved sideways😀 Cheers for setting Bratch up beautifully for me- Are you on the really leafy bits yet ? Colwich lock was great fun 😀

I dont know- could be a bigger version of those little games you used to get in Xmas Crackers- tilt it to get the ball in the hole. Lovely looking boat anyhow- I would be happy to spend a couple of weeks moving it somewhere..🙂

The two singles may put alot of people off. I would prefer a double there that you could at least walk round one side. But then to be fair I couldnt afford it anyhow- I just work on the theory if I could it would have to be what I wanted..or willing to adapt..

If I remember rightly the rudders have 'NT' cut in them. I moved one a while ago- Hull swam and handled well. Remember this as people kept asking me what the NT stood for and had a conversation with one boater about how it handled.I cant actually remember which boat is was now but do remember thinking it was a rather pleasant boat all in all if thats any help 🙂

I use one of those to chop kindling- last used it about two hours ago. Might flog it now and buy an hydraulic jobbie with the proceeds..😀