Tigerr

Currently at Crick, until we start travelling.

I'd like to improve my wifi reception. Currently use an iPhone as a hotspot, ee network. It's very patchy inside the boat, variable depending on which area of boat I am in. Ideally I'd like to be able to watch netflix etc. Don't want to invest a fortune, as we don't live aboard, but I'd like something that worked a lot better. There is an ariel, and a Huwaii mifi unit in a draw that the previous owner left behind, but I'd need another sim and contract to activate it, and not even sure it would be any better.

It's a jumpers destination. Shocking number of wreaths there. But the jumpers do have to climb over the fence to jump, and short of putting in the sort of netting etc that I have heard (not sure it's true) of at eg the Bristol gorge suspension bridge, not sure if that can be stopped. I am not aware though of any deaths from the 'dangerous' side of it. Despite it being perhaps the most spectacular example of high risk design. The entire thing would be ruined by a fence on that side.

We have one at home. It is a bit temperamental, gets stuck on the table legs. On a narrowboat I dont think there's enough floor to warrant it.

Certain railway stations are suicide blackspots, most typically where suburban lines adjoin express lines. There has been a programme of installation of fences and other barriers at such stations over recent years, with the aim of enabling staff to spot potential jumpers, arriving on a local train to throw themselves under an express. Ealing Staion in London is one such place. Maidenhead is possibly similarly afflicted, I don't know but I do know of the programme, and I have seen Samaritans volunteers at the station so suspect it likely. For the train drivers and emergency services, train jumpers are a truly awful experience - as well as sometimes being a prolonged and ghastly death for the jumpers themselves. Canal jumping suicides are something of a rarity, in comparison. It may not be quite as simple as you think, or the 'elf and safety' knee jerkers suggest.

Cheap bikes are not great to cycle, is the thing. And they are brilliant. drops the bike down to lie flat on the roof completely out of the way.

I find the bikes absolutely essential to cruising. Otherwise the pub or shop a mile or two away is a big hike. It transforms boating to have a bit more local range. Vital if you want to get the better pub for instance. I have a folding brompton with an electric conversion, which is great wherever the towpath is relatively smooth or roads are adjacent. This is kept indoors, where the brompton small fold means it stows away in what was a washing machine space. It's 15 years old now and still a fine bike. I also have a mountain bike with suspension etc, and that lives on a section of plastic web-mat on the roof quite happily. The secret is to have quick release front wheel, which means it can be slipped off and the bike stows flat, so doesn't catch on trees or bridges etc. A good chain and sturdy staple have been adequate security. I see a lot of junk bikes on boats - if you buy a rubbish bike then I guess that's what you have. I suspect a lot of boaters don't look after their kit. If you don't look after it with a bit of maintenance it will indeed revert to being junk.