PaulJ

Website here too- https://www.friendsoftherivernene.co.uk/

I was on a nb with a Firefox recently and was quite impressed with it. Does only have a single door though which for me having a Wenlock isnt a problem. Would replace my own with this one if it had a backboiler.

Winter time and right outside Baddesley Basin where the volly had come down that far setting locks for me .

Floating Workshop (on Facebook) would be worth a try - they were on the GU , Watford way ish last time I saw them but do pop up all over the place.

Think DC was being a little tongue in cheek- at least thats why I gave him a greenie..😀

@TheBeesKnees If you havent already- a decent locking filler cap/cover would be a better idea. Fuel theft isnt that uncommon

It was quite common on wooden cabin cruisers. Can remember changing a particularly challenging plank once that had about a 70 degree twist to it as it came to the bow. That was pitch pine on oak frames and about as bendy as 1 inch thick planks gets so guess thats why they used it 🙂

Funnily enough, also in my own experience, the one and only time Ive had my stuff nicked in London was by some scrote who crept on the boat while I was dozing on the sofa. No chatting involved..

I have no idea what your experience of boating in London is like -I can only speak for myself- but Ive found (in general) London Boaters to be a very friendly and helpful bunch. Ive often tied up for the night and the new neighbours will come and introduce themselves. Maybe its because they (another generalisation) tend to be a bit younger and not so grumpy as some of us old gits out there on the system..

Ive been through St Ives on a 60 x 10 several times and it isnt a problem. @SprayfoamMakesMeHappy One of the local 60 x 10 widebeams has been through the Middle Level no problems both directions

IF memory serves me right (its been a long time since I messed with one) its a side draught carb under the exhaust manifold. Remember it only because we had to fit a drip tray to one to comply with the 'new' regs.

I prefer going downhill on the Nene but only just- it makes little odds unless you happen to be on the River same time as a lazy git going uphill who leaves the gilly down and top gates open. Its a bonus then 😀-going uphill you will cycle the lock three times. Not so great if you are unlucky at the manual locks.The locks are a pain unlike the G Ouse. Nene consistently remains my top River for getting stuck on /waiting for it to reopen for either stoppages or SSA so be prepared to be waiting somewhere -no time of year is safe. I usually lose a week or twos wages on it. 😀 Lovely River though. Never done the lumpy bit..

Not sure if understood you right but is your cable right at the end of the arm in your control box? This will give you max travel. If so then next step would be to move your (ball/swivel joint down the gearbox selector arm to reduce the travel needed.

Nice to see someone thinking about safety though (although I do think you are flogging a dead horse on this one)

Back to almost summer level on the Cardington stretch now and flow has slowed down considerably 🙂

Youd be surprised 😀 I collected a boat from Daventry once (going to Bedford) and the new owner told me he had just licenced it. When I collected it he had put a CRT Rivers Licence on it- the brokerage he bought it from had told him it was the right licence (apparently) 😀

I do a regular bi annual run on a 10fter from Bedford to Earith - a lovely spacious boat that fills Cardington lock beautifully 🙂 My info isnt quite accurate - you could go as far as St Ives but wouldnt get in the lock!

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 😀