Jo_

What about getting involved with a canal restoration team (Wilts & Berks Canal Trust perhaps, if your "Caversham" location means you're round there. Or suss out the groups who are out and about on the canals through the Winter. A huge amount of amazing work is done and it will certainly get you out on a frosty morning! Go on a WRG Camp. Look at volunteering work on the CRT website. None of it boating, I know, but since the others have covered that bit, I thought I'd throw in the bankside possibilities.

Done

Have a look at Inkling (Aqua Narrowboats). Almost what you're saying. They had the bedroom then a walkthrough bathroom (not off corridor) then the saloon because it meant if there were family/guests in the sofabed in the saloon at the bow, both they and the owners could use the bathroom. It's a great boat.

Nobody's mentioned the Lockmaster charts/maps. We do have Nicholson's and Pearson's, but I love the Lockmaster ones because they're just .... well, if you have them you'll know . And they're for sitting at a table and mulling over rather than up on the back of the boat but all the same .............

There's a THREE-page spread in October's WW all about laundry afloat. Well worth a read I imagine (my copy only came in the post today and I've not time to read it yet, but I did check the contents!)

Geocaching is much much more fun. Talked about in the Virtual Pub only last month: http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=86127&hl=geocaching

Butcher's (Coates) in Alrewas and there's a Co-Op there too Atherstone is good huge Sainsbury's up from Hinckley Wharf just by Trinity Marina, and Connor's Bakery just by Sainsbury's which is WONDERFUL Co-Op in Willington That'll sort you I expect.

Yes, raised dinette is important. I love sitting up there at the end of the day with the hatch open and the world within touching distance! Ours is also an L-shaped dinette which is (in our view) perfect because it keeps the space open to the lounge/tv/chairs area. Nobody has their back to anyone. Still makes up into a double bed for occasional visitors.

I remember this post from Bruce a week ago. He'd emailed it into 'findmyboat', so we'd logged it. Maybe it was a relevant sighting and the colour had already been altered.

Lovely!! ?

Thanks for the accurate spot! It is indeed a Stenson boat but it's the Dog and Duck which has been spotted all through their trip over the last days. It's not 'our' boat but it shows you're well tuned in now, so keep spotting!

Shardlow is now open

I'll ask at noon if noone's heard anything for definite before then.

I've given you the accurate report on the situation

I spoke to the 'right' CRT guy for this stretch this afternoon. The repair at Shardlow is done and they are now waiting for the levels to rise. There have been 8 CRT guys on the stretch today (they do indeed work weekends!) - water being sent down from the sluices at Wychnor, through Stenson and on down. (Boaters have been letting water through intervening locks (which, he says, is only robbing Peter to pay Paul and not helping at all) so they'd be glad if everyone would just wait.) They're HOPING the level will have risen enough by tomorrow (Sunday) lunchtime but they won't know till nearer the time. As soon as it's safe to do so they'll open the navigation. The central message from CRT is there is no repair work to be done, it's just a matter of the water level. All being well, things will be moving again tomorrow afternoon. Jo

Thank you. I'd done an earlier plot from an earlier post of yours. I'll now add to it!

Thank you for the input. The Aston Lock where you are is different from the Aston to which Bruce refers. Bruce's Aston is the lock midway on the Trent & Mersey just by Aston Marina.

Looking at the plotted map, we seem to have a gap in declared searchers between Hawkesbury and Braunston, through Nuneaton and Rugby. Anyone in that area? Jo

Morning All. I am mapping everyone's reports of where they've been and are going or cruising onto a Google Maps overlay. So please keep them coming - either as a posting on here or as a PM to Yank on the Cut. I'm also picking up the reports from Canalworld's Facebook counterpart and Canals & Rivers UK. The Mercia team's stretches when they been decided on this morning in the light of which areas have already been covered well (like the Ashby, thanks to those of you who have looked carefully from top to bottom over the last 24 hours). Jo

Wonderful, Robert. Pity you had to lay down to take the photograph though - were you tired?

I'd go there Dave. I've spoken to the team leader of the Atherstone team. He's not there but is phoning the guys he thinks will be there. Having someone on the ground who is up to speed with the description and details can't be a bad thing. Jo

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/hot-weather-causes-explosion-of-duck-weed-on-londons-canals 70 tonnes in a week

Also if you are planning on watching your films through the internet, you'll need to look at your data speeds, needs and costs. You aren't taking a 'bank' lifestyle afloat! You've got to oo and aaah at the wildlife, watch the sunsets, chat to other boaters, do all the routine daily boaty tasks - they'll be little time to be iPadding in the day and in the evening you'll be far too knackered with all the fresh air and busyness to bother or care beyond sinking a swift half and sinking into a chair before your eyes close.....

Great example of the best of the forum & its population. You had done a lot of prep yourselves, came here & asked for everyone's help, ideas, thoughts etc. You took that with you to view, obviously did and looked at all the right things in the right way and reached sensible conclusions! What a great exercise. You'll be so so ready for the next boat that catches your eye!!