ValandPete

Mid May should not be too bad, the kids will be at school. Aim to get to a prospective mooring by 2pm ish, you sometimes have more choice. We stayed in London last year in late May/early June and moored with no trouble. Check your guide books for the length of time you are allowed to stay at a mooring. We stayed for about a week and moved between Little Venice and Paddington Basin. I think you will be able to stay in one place for your visit if it is only for 2/3 nights. We went down Regents Canal a couple of times and never found a mooring place available. Little Venice is busy, but we moored opposite the Adult Education Centre which is outside the visitor moorings so length of stay is not an issue. We also found it relatively quiet as further up towards the Little Venice visitor moorings there is a narrow towpath with a lot of foot traffic. There is water available in Little Venice itself and Paddington Basin is a bit further on up here. Warwick Avenue tube station is a pleasant 15/20 minute walk away. Paddington Basin was not full and does not get as much foot traffic. Don't moor outside the far end of St Mary's Hospital - I found the external air conditioning unit noisy at night. Building work was still going on at the far end of the basin but we were out during the day so the noise did not bother us. My advice is to go to the end, turn round and moor on the right hand side if you can. There are pontoon moorings away from the tow path so it is quieter than Little Venice. Paddington tube station and railway station are handy. I hope you enjoy your visit and stay in London Val

Something else: I would not have one because I do not feel cold on the boat when the stove is lit. I get too hot and cannnot have a warm bedroom (yes, my age probably has got something to do with it ) I may feel differently when I have spent a winter aboard and was not warm enough, then I might consider it. Val

Not likely to be for quite a few days though, as I've "done an Alnwick", and fallen from a push bike at some speed, and broken some bones, and torn many ligaments. Can't see me getting going again on the kitchen refit for a few weeks - I can't even get in or out of a chair at the moment, let alone crouch through a "trad" engine room Sorry to hear this. Hope your recuperation goes well and you are back on your boat asap. Val

We got our renewal notice today for 31st March 2010 - it does have a prompt payment discount. I dont understand why this should not apply to all. Pay by 1st April £690.73 2nd to 30th April £767.48 (full fee) After 1st May £917.48 (late payment fee of £150 added) A saving of £76.75 for prompt payment which is some sort of percentage. BW are proposing to do away with this element over the next few (3/4 I think) years and change it gradually into a percentage system of additional payment for late payers and stop rewarding prompt payment altogether. Alongside this there will be a real push to move renewals to be done totally online, including a system whereby the BSS certificate can be validated online. This feels to me as if boaters have become more compliant and are rewarded by being penalised. Val Edit: Prompt payment fee does not apply if payment is made in installments. We paid online last year but if we apply thro post this time (which we will because there are changes) it still appplies.

Best of luck to the two of you Look forward to keeping up with your build. Val

We have this type of combination padlock, works well for us. The combination number can be re-set if needed. Val

471 Val Stamford Park Junior School (last time I was known as a junior anything!)

What are allan keys Allen? 472 Val Eta JuniorPartner

Yes, mostly things that are worth a pound or less, or perhaps a bit more. 474. Val Junior Senior

And me. 475 Val Office Junior

Well said. I agree with your post. I miss the variety of boats that used to be around in the late 70s/80s. I cannot see how BW can argue increased accessibility to all. I wonder what evidence BW have of the level of alleged abuse of the Explorer Licence and what impact the alleged abuse had on the waterways anyway. I suspect it is being abolished because it easier administratively not to have it at all. Val

I quite enjoyed the first half, but the second half did not hold my attention, altho I did finish it. The best bits for me were Monica's rants about the narrow dog - very funny. Val

Welcome Our son finally went at 24. Val

What sort of mouse is it? If it is a field mouse it will probably leave if there is no food and the weather stays warmer. But if it is a house mouse I would not take any chances If possible I would borrow a cat, leaving them together on the boat for a few hours. That night set old fashioned mouse traps, at least a couple. Keep checking and setting until you catch one. Or more . Keep checking for droppings. Poison as a last resort. You may have more than one, be vigilant. Val

It's a lovely stove, I like that it is designed to cook on too. But it will be hot! We have one at home as well as on the boat, think it is same heat out put (definitely 5 or less so we did not have to have an airbrick) and it gets very hot. Usually end up with the window or back door open. I think you will need to sort something else out for the summer, as you are suggesting. Val

Good to have you back honey ryder Really enjoyed your blog. Informative, funny and honest. Good luck with whatever you choose to do next. Val

Luctor et emergo?! Seems appropriate for you at the moment. I also think it is a stylish name, can be shortened to Lucky if that is how you feel in the future! Hope things improve for you soon. Val