Midnight

You tied up next to us at the Kings Head. That was me you were talking to.

With C&RT running the shop we are all at sea

We were one of the last boats to get through. The gearbox was making a lot of clicking and clanking. Two boats followed and the then one who managed to lower the guillotine but it wouldn't go back up. Two EA chaps came out and managed to get another boat through then it gave up completely. We were lucky to make it to the King's Head water, good food and good beer.

Obviously didn't consider the paying customers at Ripon & Selby all we need now is an announcement that the Pollington breach is fixed then C&RT can piss the Goole boaters off too. How about leaving a week between Ripon and Selby opening to allow trapped boaters to escape? Too much to think about at C&RT HQ?

Which would be infinitely more helpful than closing it. Having passed that way many times I would say the flood locks at Ferrybridge and especially Castleford are open both ends more than not in the summer months.

Lots of friends have made formal complaints up here but apart from the usual courteous and apologetic reply the amoebas are still running the shop

Will they be on furlough this coming winter?

You obviously don't know that stretch. Dewatering a river??? BTW its the down stream gates that need repairing. Sorry I apologise to all amoebas or is that amoebaii?

A friend has been trapped in at Ripon since the Oxclose lock failed back in April and even if he could escape to reach the Club drydock he would be trapped by the failure of Selby swing bridge or face travelling around Trent Falls . Today C&RT announced "The lock (Oxclose) should be available from Saturday 17th July." There website also proclaims "The pedestrian footbridge (Selby) is programmed to be installed between the 5th and 20th of July. Following this installation we will be able to swing the bridge to allow boaters to move." Alas poor boaters and friend wont be able to move too far for too long as the latest from C&RT says Ferrybridge Flood Lock will be closed from 19/7 to 13/8 for "A stoppage is required to replace the downstream gates and cills." Now isn't Ferrybridge a Flood Lock ? So why does it need to be closed if there's no flood? Why does it need to be repaired now? The gates at the other end could be used to in a flood. Don't C&RT understand boaters need the boat? There are uncharitable people who suggest the C&RT North East office have less brain cells than an amoeba and care nothing for boaters needs and judging by the never-ending stream of stoppages in the area who could argue with that?

Is there an extra charge for those houses adjacent to the towpath who display unofficial 'No Mooring' signs? Asking for a friend

I suggest you contact Wesley Windows they produced one for me using the old frame as a pattern. Good service too. www.wesleywindows.co.uk

They took the rings out at Sowerby Bridge and failed to answer my question as to why

... but Mr Parry told us he would educate them - is it working?

Last tap!

You're such a dare-devil

Perhaps you don't understand the concept of reducing risk

At first "Two days after my first symptoms, I began to feel seriously ill." Thank you for the video but as soon as I saw the opening shots I switched off - sorry can't stand those two dipsticks. However we have decided it is on the plan for the return journey so we will experience it first hand.

Okay you go first and let me know how bad it was

Double jab or not who wants to catch it?

Thank you we may have time to do both as covid cases in Bedford being still high means we may turn around tomorrow. Is it possible to turn a 57ft boat at the end of Wicken Fen?

Depends on how fast you wish to do it. 2 days minimum but single handed it's hard work. Take an extra day if you aren't 100% fit it can be exhausting. Also take a boat hook there's a few self closers

Back aboard after 3 days shore leave heading to St Neots tomorrow. We plan to do at least one of the side rivers on the return. Anyone any thoughts which is the better option between Brandon Creek or the River Wissey for 57ft

The Ashton used to be a bit of a horror story with feral kids but it's a lot better now. I've done it in the 'bad old days' when rumours of antisocial behaviour were frequent but never had any real trouble apart from kids running along the roof of the boat in front. I've done it several times in the past 10 years and it's been fine. The problem these days seems to be C&RT neglect of the Rochdale Nine

Just wait for another boat. If they have crew and are Northerners ask if you can go with them and they'll say yes. If they are Souverners revert to method above. If the next boat is also single handed work as a team - one opening bridges the other taking both boats through.