Daftmare

Wow, that's a high percentage, I am surprised. J.

Clearly, we were first-timers and idiots in a hurry. J.

At Braunston, once we had had our offer accepted, we combined the test drive with the Surveyor's inspection, so took the Surveyor out with us. J.

The County Lock early stoppage was announced months ago and I posted the dates back in August (although admittedly not under "Stoppages", it was in the thread about Eastern End of the K&A getting a Raw Deal. There were objections to the dates, but sounds like they are going ahead. (Sorry, this sounds like "I told you so" - apologies xxx)

Thanks, yes. I forgot the format of my own original question! J.

It seems that there are some liveaboards on the forum who use 12V only, in which case my question is - how many batteries in your bank and do you have to charge them every day and if so for how long? J. (sorry, that's three questions )

Nobody has mentioned New Boat Company (I don't think). Without inviting bad comments, has anybody got any good ones? I am only asking about them, as they have an Open Day in October and we thought we might go and have a nose around. J.

Yes, I would choose a cross-bed as well. Hope the build goes well. Are you going to do a Build Blog? Who is your builder? I see you are on the K&A too. J.

Thanks everyone. I will discuss with the Marina. As I said, we have remained unlicensed during Jan-March in the past with them (Ham Manor) but this new revision in the licensing conditions may have closed that loophole. J.

Our Marina is at Newbury and in the past we have been able to moor the boat there Jan-March with no licence, and renew it on 1 April. We are considering NOT getting a Gold Licence again any time soon, as we do not get out there enough. I will check the difference between the extra charges and the BW annual licence/6 month licence, but I suppose my question was, can they charge me the extra charge? J.

At the moment we have had a Gold Licence, which expires in December. We had thought not to renew this in January, but keep the boat in the marina Jan-Mar and just get a BW Licence for the K&A starting from 1 April. However, on reading one of the revisions to BW's licensing terms and conditions, I am now not sure whether we can do this, without incurring a late payment charge. We have done it in years' past but... This is what the revision says: 6.3 Late payment charge A charge will be applied for the renewal of a licence that expired more than one month previously. To strengthen the incentive to renew the licence promptly and thereby reduce our administration and enforcement costs. Anyone have any thoughts? J.

Thanks, its been very interesting to know what layouts everyone has. I think that I will be sticking to a conventional bathroom. I must admit to being a fan of U shaped galleys - two people can fit into it, without blocking the corridor - which is a great help when the boat is full of people. I think I would choose not to have the stove at the end of the Saloon either, but towards the middle of the boat. Its very exciting, planning... J.

And in the unfortunate situation of the signage NOT saving a life, then at least BW cannot be sued? More money saved to be spent ridiculously. J.

We are again trawling the "Boats for Sale" columns as we want to get a boat better equipped for living aboard. Many now seem to have the bathroom at full width, but I cannot decide whether this type of bathroom is a good idea or not. One layout showed a toilet on one side of the boat with the gangway leading direct from the toilet to the stern doors, with no door in-between! Lovely sight I'm sure.... I wondered if anyone had experience of these type of bathrooms and what are the pros and cons. Thanks J.

If you added up the cost of the equipment they have all around them, you will find that some of them have!! J. Having married into a "fishing" family, I was taught early on to keep to the centre line. We always try to smile at each angler and my husband will usually ask how things are going (unless its a match, and they are concentrating). It doesn't surprise me that angers do not know that they cannot fish in winding holes or at lock waiting areas (more signs needed ). The problem is that anglers do not read our rules and we do not read theirs! One gripe is the narrowboat owners who moor up at BW Visitor moorings and spread out their fishing stuff along the next mooring place and glare at the next boater who tries to moor there! Seen it so many times (but I just moor anyway!).

Thanks

Thanks J.

Don't presume the advice above is correct just 'cos its from the "blokes". The Fishing Clubs can ask you not to fish from your boat in their waters. However, we still do, on the K&A, and our biggest carp so far (at Devizes) is 12lb. but there are bigger. J.

When in a marina, I think it is down to the permission of the owner. When on the canal/river - if there are Fishing Club signs up, then you are not supposed to fish off your boat without a licence from them. Some parts of the River Thames are free fishing (Sunbury to Runnymede??). This is not the full story, just the bits I (think) I know! J.

I read the thread as referring to towpath cyclists, not cyclists in general. J.

Its the nature of the beast, I'm afraid. Most threads seem to wander off track eventually! J.

I wonder how much insurance companies would want to charge in premiums for such a policy? The more unknown factors there are (and the younger you are) the higher they seem to charge! J.

Like the Avatar Paul (although I don't think it looks anything like you!) J. Ooops