Midnight

So here we are in captivity in deepest Yorkshire. Most of us not been cruising for ages so all getting excited as April 12 approaches. But there could be a problem (again). Go East Figure of Three - still closed promised assisted passage but rumours rife that contractors have been relocated to the Aire & Calder Aire and Calder - suppose Fo3 is open for assisted passage but no access to the Trent via Pollington - perilous journey around Trent Falls hmmmm? Turn left at Castleford and try the L&L over to Manchester but T&M land slip closure at Anderton so divert around the Ashton & Macc Go West Calder Navigation - closed at Brookfoot might be open for 12th April Rochdale - been closed more than open for a year yet there maybe a window of opportunity to escape via Manchester, but T&M land slip closure at Anderton - see L&L Go South Huddersfield - currently closed - sink holes - (I'd like to drop a certain CEO into one of those) might get through always a gamble. Go back Then there's the strong chance of even more closures so may not get back at the end of summer. Dream? - fooking nightmare! footnote: Mr Parry would you be so kind as to do us all a big favour and let someone take over who understands that a Navigation Authority is about navigating the waterways and not jogging, walking or cycling them.

I think the correct term is "No Nonsense"

Have you noticed in recent times, in our so called democracy, that those on the losing side shout "Bias", "Sheep", "Misled", "Fraud" etc. Democracy is wonderful so long as you are on the winning side eh?. This topic on both threads has been an enlightening and entertaining read but I think it's time to agree to disagree.

Well I've ticked I don't care. [as well as mrsmelly] Whilst I think composting bogs are a blooming daft idea on a moving boat I think there's more to bother about in the greater scheme of things. just saying like. My version corrected (hee,hee)

I live in the National Park so there is plenty of police activity around here although I do think you are right the chances of getting stopped on the way out are slim. I think I will wait until after the 8th and say I'm going to school :-)

As nobody can point to where the government made that statement it seems that whoever wrote the Towpath Talk article also makes the Covid rules. I've made an enquiry to the publisher so may yet find it's valid. So a 'reader' drives 80 miles to their boat but is stopped by the police "It's okay officer I have a copy of Towpath Talk so can prove it's an essential journey". Do you think the 'reader' would get fined?

1/ Why? 2/ Did you oppose it before CaRT changed it's guidance? As I said pages ago CaRT don't seem to be making this into as big an issue as we are on here. Do I have a compost toilet - "No" Does anyone putting poo into a bin worry me - "No" Does 30 odd pages of argument bordering on hostility which is becoming literally " bag of sh*t" concern me - "yes" Live and let live!

I tend to be from the Arthur Marshall school of boat fixer i.e." carry toolbox, control cables, " I have been an RCR member twice before but never really used them and the once I did the RCR engineer incorrectly fitted a Morse gear cable and had to come back out 10 minutes after leaving. I fitted the next one myself. The second time I joined was because my son was taking the boat and he's not a tool box expert. Considering the cost for peace of mind for big breakdowns I will probably join again when (if) we go off this year on our long-time planned 6 month cruise.

According to a FB group an article in Towpath Talk reads "The government and other bodies have now recognised the risk posed by restricting access to vessels and therefore state that if the visit is to check on its safety, this would be an acceptable reason to travel." Can anyone point me to where the government have stated that? I live 85 miles from our mooring and looking at the gov.uk site I can only find restrictions on travel and overnight stays.

Let's get a grip on reality here. Bag'n bin hasn't yet been flagged up by CaRT as a big problem they just changed the guidance. Maybe 100% of bag'n binners will start composting properly or find other legal ways to dispose. 30 revolving pages hmmmm - they do say if you want a prolonged debate on a boating forum just mention the word "toilets". Still it's given us something to moan about that isn't covid, Brexit or Boris related.

Rumour going around that the CaRT have moved operations from the Figure of Three to the Aire & Calder. Anyone know if this is correct. Better still anyone local got pics of the ongoing work. CaRT already suggested assisted passage may be possible in April

Brill those with composting toilets can rip them out and replace them with the book - job done and frees up space in the bog.

Certainly not going south

The facts are that the guidance has changed!

You are not an idiot or half-wit you just bought what you thought was right for you at the time. Things change, rules change. If you "simply follow the advice of CRT" you NOW should not bag 'n bin it. You have my sympathy but that won't help and the waste disposal rules won't change to enable you to carry on.

He should know where we stand on the topic. He has a COMPOST toilet. Two week old Bag'n'bin it isn't compost and it's not legal - simples! Twelve months to turn to compost isn't it? Although the manual that came with Big Jimmy's compost toilet says something like, "... for at least 3 months then it's okay to spread on your roses but not on your vegetable patch". I can't see CaRT introducing composting bins, more likely a ban via the BSS which isn't fair on those who do compost correctly.

It's still on offer as membership is still open despite covid and there's no short boats on the waiting list just now.

I'm booked into dry dock for two weeks from 20th March. I'm 85 miles away and nervous about being fined. I could say it's essential maintenance but would need to stay aboard for the duration. Need to see the detail of today's announcement or cancel my booking. Any suggestions?

You'll love this. When we first moored at our club in 2011 fees were £10 per foot per year. We now pay £6.40 per ft per year that's £365 for us. I'm embarrassed to pay the invoice.

I reported a pollution incident to them on Battyeford cut awhile ago but basically were's interested said it was CaRT's problem. CaRT gave it their usual priority.

Your neighbours got away light, he could have sold you a banjo.

Actually I think it is. When just a few people where bag & binning it was within the waste transfer rules CaRT based the original guidance on the above. Things change - guidance changes.

I would love to see my boat never mind sleep over. I'm 70 very fit (I think) no known underlying conditions. I believe if I caught covid I would survive although I don't wish to test the theory. I comply with the rules quite happily because I would be mortified if I was the cause of infecting someone else. I suppose it all boils down to two types. Those with a social conscience and those who don't give a toss about anyone else.

So sad really. It's CaRT's top brass who should consider leaving the waterways not boaters. My dog could do a better job than Richard Parry and his ashes are in a box on the mantelpiece (the dog's not Parry's).

I know someone who insisted her dog is vegan - by sheer coincidence so is she.