twbm

In the 80's that would have been Stretford boat club on their way home after an epic journey to Grappenhall.

Not sure what you're going to filter out. If it's the 'flavour' of the tank and pipes you may be stuck with it? Have you tried one of the Brita filter jugs? .. or is there any mileage in a flush through with Miltons or similar.

Having dealt with dozens and dozens of sudden deaths including a number of suicides by various means first hand I can you that either you get immune to it or you don't. There is no amount of training or counselling that will change that. I was fortunate enough to be able to get on with the job in hand and move on but a number of colleagues were clearly very much affected by such incidents no matter how often they dealt with them.

EE have got the contract for the new emergency services network. This may well have a benefit for canal based users in that their 4G coverage is likely to expand beyond the commercially attractive footprint in rural areas. Early days yet, migration off the existing system doesn't start a for over a year.

You're right. I'll give that a go.

Before you go spending money do a bit more cruising - you say you left the marina and winded so now feel a bit more confident ... It's possible that you're currently holding the tiller in a bit of a death-grip whilst you get used to the boat and how she handles. The tillers are quite high on working boats, and I find a number of steering positions work: facing the tiller so it runs past you left to right /tight to left with a hand draped on it, tucked under one arm with hand in strategic pocket, tiller end in small of back to facilitate consumption of tea and bacon related comestibles, sitting in the hatch etc etc. All that said if it's so high it's up in your armpit, it's time to get physical with it.

Not sure efficiency of email responses would ever be high on my list of criteria for choosing a boat builder.

Always trouble was that Luby, never knew why Andy Pandy and Teddy put up with her.

Yes, that bridge brought us to a bit of a rapid stop. Which was annoying 'cause I knew it was there. Too busy nattering.

Set it up so it's only accessible by limited range WiFi at the bridge in question. That way it's just a relatively cheap alternative to a control box on the bank.

Numpty post edit.

I see the origin of the boat is resolved. FWIW, my grandfather worked at the Thorneycroft ship builders in Woolston, Southampton. Later amalgamated to become Vosper-Thorneycroft and thence often referred to as Vospers. I think the yard closed in 2004 with production moving to Portsmouth. There's a few photos and lots of history here: https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldnavalships.com%2Fvosper_thornycroft.htm&psig=AFQjCNHfhx3feVwjnQn0DR7OCTkcL08WeA&ust=1464092228812932

Yes. I have copper 'tails' in to various water heaters, cisterns, showers etc at the bar and at home, all working fine at mains pressure.

That would rather depend where the rope is going - up to the front end of an empty GU Town Class ain't flat. Having pondered this grave matter from the perspective of liability, I'm for an obvious trip hazard clearly marked with something - bits of old Tesco bags are scruffy but effective - rather than carefully concealed ones.

Monsieur Lautrec I presume? So, umm, it smells just after you've used it?

Colin you clearly need urgent culinary assistance. Pie and peas I can go with, but as has been said mint is for lamb. I shall endeavour to bring supplies of steak puddings aka babbies 'eads with chips and pea wet for next Fridays working party.

Never had the account number on any NatWest Debit card, private or business account.

Hmm. On the one hand, if they're that well fixed, it must be really good rust and they hopefully won't leak, on the other there still might be a path through the gunk for water. Do you know which ones leaked and if the stubborn ones were culprits? Best I can suggest is a good scrape and clean around the edges of the fittings if the painters haven't already done that then application of silicon or similar which should be concealed by the Chrome tops. Going back to the drain holes I think I can see, it's important to apply mastic in such a way that the rings are sealed to the roof but the drainage isn't blocked, else there's a risk the water will spill over into the cabin .. although having looked again the outer ring is perhaps lower than the inner one. Depending on the arrangements with whoever's doing the work, you might get them to refit them. Then get busy with a hose before you pay them ...

The yellowish rings go on the roof, gungy side down - after being cleaned off. Not sure if that's rubber seals or the remains of the previous sealant. The translucent caps go over them using the three screw holes to secure them. That should create an up-and-under path for the draught, with I think small holes to allow any bouncing rain to be captured and drain away. It looks like the chrome tops then fit on the vent caps, screwed independently to the roof. The raised bits on the edges may be associated with drainage from the mounting rings, so may need lining up with, er, something. Probably wise to get all new stainless steel screws, probably self-tappers. I think it's a steel roof? If yes take care re hole size for the screws fixing the chrome caps.

Nah, that's just low bandwidth.

Given that the OP is clearly one of the minority of his countrymen open minded enough to be leaving the US to look about a bit, is visiting the UK for the first time AND taking up some of his precious vacation to, we hope, enjoy a week on a canal perhaps we should not give him too much of an insight into just how snippy Brits can be? TW: Canal cruising is a pleasant interlude between pubs - factor that into shopping and budget, and possibly morning start times. The Oxford is pretty but can get busy because of that, you may have to form an orderly queue at locks, the flip side being if you want to watch a few folks go through before you tackle your first one, you won't wait long. If your Costcos have the same trolleys we do, spend half an hour pushing one around the store backwards. That's how boats behave. Except when they don't..... Practice saying Al -you-min-ee-um and you may well get a round of applause and free beer.

LC, I'm no expert but I understand the aim is to get to as many little used, perverse and difficult bits as you can, with points being awarded for the most punishing route . So a 'good' place to start probably involves reversing through a flight of locks or using a turfer to get through bridges holes.