Water Woman

I still use the Rainbow laundry and it is worth its weight in gold, washed, folded and hardly ever needs ironing. I too sometimes use the swimming baths in Trowbridge. It is good to know that someone has walked this way before me WW

I thought there was a bit of a whiff tonight!

This morning was the first one in ages I was able to unzip my cratch cover to let the dog out without fighting with the ice, so a rise in temp I believe. But, I am sure I saw little snow flurries so maybe just lulling me into a false sense of possible move for a pump out/waterfill. More snow then a further freeze will be difficult, to say the least. But it looks so beautiful. Ah well, let us see what today and tonight brings and hope I can get into work tomorrow.

I was getting togged up to go out for supplies this morning when I heard voices very close to me on the canal side of the boat. I knew it was not boat passing as that is not possible just now but was surprised to see a couple and their dog walking past the boat on the iced up canal! It really is very thickly frozen but I don't think I would risk it. Has anyone else had a stroll on it??

Yes those are the moments. I cannot park near the boat and ended on my ar%e this morning with a diesel can and three bags of shopping. That thought passed through my head for a moment. But now I am sitting in the boat, lovely and warm and peaceful and would not be anywhere else. It is a matter of making the most of what you have such as Tesco toilets when shopping to save on the pump out in this weather and work where you can fill up water containers. Perfect. Edit because it did not make sense!

Everything comes back to the SH1T debate in the end. It is kind of comforting I think.

This is my third, or is it my fourth? winter on the canal and it is by far the worst in terms of weather already. I was walking from the boat to the car yesterday through snow and the beauty of it is breathtaking. Yes the cold is difficult to live with for long periods and yes the fuel/water/toilet situation is a real pain (I will need coal and a pump out and diesel sooner rather than later but will have to find ways round it other than going to the Boat Yard for them) but on balance I would far rather be here than in a house. And...spring is around the corner ish. As for BW, their attitude stinks much worse than anyones waste products in my humble opinion. WW

Agreed WW

Of course there is always the old saying to save water in the toilet If it is yellow let it mellow if it is brown flush it down ! WW

To save water I shower when I go visiting, often with a bag of washing in tow, family understands. I go swimming sometimes and shower after my swim. I empty my hot water bottle into the kettle I use on my stove and refill my water bottle for bed. I put my washing up in a bucket under the sink and do it every few days, I fill up water at work for drinking. I use the water in the shower to clean if I have to and I always manage. I quite enjoy the challenge!

I have wondered about freesat but at the moment have a Freeview plus box which I can record on. It is fine and gets enough channels for me. But if anything went seriously wrong with it I would look at Sky, I just thought it would be really difficult with no electric hook up.

May have to do that myself come the weekend... ah such is boat life WW

I look most days and of course could not resist going straight to the post that told me not to read it, more so when I saw it was porn (it had gone by the time I did look) but what does that make me???

Thank you so much everyone. Now that the fire is up to heat the smoking has stopped, it has hardened what is there. I will get this sorted and get a carbon monoxide alarm asap. I have my hatch open at the moment letting the beautiful day in. I very much appreciate the trouble people go to to reply to problems other boaters have x The chimney was swept recently Sue, all clear there. thanks again

Happy New Year everyone. My squirrel has been in situ for about three years, no problems. Over the last day or so I have noticed a bit of smoke in the boat and was leaving it till this weekend, in the light, to investigate. There is some gungey, treacley stuff on the pipe coming through the roof and I believe it is this melting and smoking. I have scraped off as much as I can and will let the stove out by tomorrow morning and get it all off and seal it. What I don't know is what to use for the best, what this treacle stuff is, why it has started doing it now. I have lost my coolie hat in some trees recently ish and have foiund a bit of water round my stove when it has lashed rain. Sorry if this is a bit disjointed. Thanks to anyone who may reply with help. I rarely use anything but coal in the stove and start it with kindling and firelighters.