Timujin

Many thanks as always with this forum you can get more than you asked for. The Nicholson guide I was using called it a draw bridge, but I could not see a castle so called a swing bridge clearly incorrectly. At the end of the day (evening or night I think it is called) it is bloody hard work single handed to operate anything that isn't on the towpath side. Its bad enough with gates that don't open/close and dare I say it without bollards at the side of locks (incredibly useful if you are single handed)the journey would be near impossible. I hate controversy so in future front end will be pointy end and back end blunt end, does anyone have a comment about pump out v's cassette?

Having just encountered a swing bridge operated by the lock key but with the winding gear not on the tow path side I wondered if anyone has any tips on how to operate them single handed. The mooring bollards are on the opposite side to the gear so when the bridge is up how are you supposed to get back to take the craft through. I know how I did it but whats the best approach.

Having been employed in the charity sector for over 30 years I have watched the development of Cart with trepidation, I hope I am wrong but if you design an organisation with a large management committee very little will get done, the executive committee and the staff will dominate decisions and they will get rubber stamped or delayed beyond all hope depending on the will of the chosen few that organise the meetings. However to be positive every organisation needs a patron and I would suggest Eleanor Hand for the charity, I think it fits well in front of the acronym, others may have some ideas.

My wife would like to add "your chance of divorce rises in direct proportion to the number of locks you force your wife to operate on any given journey" Amusing isn't she.

What i heard on the radio this morning was that thousands of people a day needed to get to Brum in a hurry ! I don't think so ! Surely the reason for the new trains is so that people can get out of Brum in a hurry !! so looks like a good thing to me

Just a final note to say the 'TOW Please'sign on the back worked a treat (many thanks for the advice). We were collected by a hire boat with a Navy crew who were brilliant (so not a hire people are mad !) thanks to them and anyone who gave advice.

Offer of payment was for trouble and diesel I don't think it is fair to expect people do do something for nothing these days, although I accept that narrow boat owners are very different. Sign on the boat a good idea many thanks Chris

Having just brought a project boat that needs a new engine I could do with some help getting it to Stockton Top lock on the GU from bridge 32 just outside Radford Semele near Warwick. A passing tow would be very gratefully received (and paid for) within next week if possible. Please ring Chris on 07870745059. Many thanks

I knows it looks unlikely but I need a continuous cruising licence

Hi Having just been quoted over £600 for crane in and out for a 30' narrowboat at Evesham I wondered if anyone had experience of yards on the Avon that didnt seek to make the owner bankrupt before doing any work. I need either a slip or crane to do work on the stern gear it might be cheaper hiring diving gear !!!