The Hunky Dory

We've an integral tank, which was painted with Epicol solvent free blue two pack plastic paint when the boat was built. Its a bit like the stuff you see in swimming pools. After 10 years I repainted it, although it was generally still sound, just a bit of cracking where I bumped the bows. Its very expensive at £100 for 2.5 litres which does 2 coats. Obtainable from Mainline paints in Liverpool. Suitable for drinking water, although we also have a filter.

We were there on Friday night, very quiet and no trouble. Very shallow on the west side but fine otherwise. In my opinion at last the head of navigation has a destination worth travelling to. Also remember, if it wasn't for the industry we wouldn't have navigable rivers or canals.

I've got exactly the same setup. Its a fault in the TV software which doesn't clear out all the files required when you delete a programme. The only way I've fixed it is to reformat the USB stick via a laptop. Of course, you then lose anything else recorded.

We arrived at Gloucester yesterday afternoon, and although busy there were still spaces just after Llanthony bridge (either side of the canal). They have all gone today, but I think there will be some free on Monday. If not, its only 20 mins cruise to Hempsted Bridge, where there is space and its dog friendly.

I've just replaced my tiles, which had leaked badly and stained the bedroom bulkhead. First I tanked with the Aquaseal kit (cheaper than the Bal, and has good reviews). Then installed Showerwalls on three sides, which was a really hard job in such a restricted space. Used liberal amounts of silicone where the walls meet the shower tray. Haven't used theshower yet so I don't know if it's waterproof!

Problem is, as a Yorkshireman, I just can't resist a bargain! You get what you pay for.

Thanks for this - I used Wilko oil too, so I hope that's it.

Just done the regular oil and filter change on my Beta 43 engine, and now I can smell oil when the engine is running, both on tickover and under strain. Used the same mineral oil spec as usual, and there are no leaks, not losing oil, and no smoke of any colour from the exhaust. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the replies. I replaced the faulty one, and will now replace the other!

I've just had to replace a rubber gas pipe, the one which connects the bottle to the regulator, as it was leaking. I noticed that it was cracked along most of its length. The boat is just under 10 years old. Would you expect it to wear out about now, as I've never read of any requirement to replace these as part of a preventive maintenance programme.

I fitted this, expensive but does the job without welding http://www.dipstop.co.uk/boat.html

Brunswick lock going onto the Mersey is just about square, with very interesting radial gates. When we locked down onto the river, the gates were opened even though the river level was about three feet lower than the dock

Jim did the same for us in May. I mentioned we'd met him before, in 2003 on the Lanky, and he emailed several photos of our boat from that visit. Good bloke.

We had a similar problem on Friday coming down the Wigan flight. 3 locks near the bottom were freshly painted, with no way of avoiding it if we wanted to work through the locks. Used half a bottle of white spirit to clean up the mess. Fortunately they went for lunch so allowed us to get through the bottom two unscathed.

Just met him at Johnson's Hillock, as he let us go down in front of him (he's not happy about sharing locks). Nice bloke, good cause, if you see him make a donation.