Québec

We're moored at Swanley, so it's local town. Our regular trawl of the charity shops often yields some excellent buys. oH particularly partial to the often high class clothing on offer. Usually have a lovely coffee and cake at Swirly Wirly's, the St. Luke's Hospice café on Pillory St. The small local museum is worth a visit (and worth supporting). Excellent hardware shop, opposite the museum,, with lots of fire and stove related stuff. (There's also a large Aga shop, which tells you a lot about the area!) Great little town just to amble around.

At the end of a lovely day! (And a note to self....there is more to life than current affairs)

Normally April and October. Re: Crick, they usually offer the same discount in their stores over that weekend.

We've got an Aarrow Acorn 4 (same size as the Boatman). We're very happy with it.

What a load of uninformed, prejudiced comments! It's clear that Dr. Matthews is no 'ivory tower' academic (what a quaint, old-fashioned stereotype that is), and that she is genuinely interested in canal and canal people, and has presented and published on the topic. The fact that she's a skilled, professional researcher ought to be welcomed. If you have information she might be interest in, instead of sniping from the towpath why not jump on board and offer to help?

A few years ago I bought the OH (and chief fire maker) a small pair of bellows as a present. She says one of the best 'boaty' gifts she's had. Very handy first thing on a cold morning to get the stove going again.

Having changed from a dark to a light roof (matt) 1. Noticeably cooler in summer 2. No problem with glare, even on the rare occasions when the angle of the sun might cause one. Use decent paint, that has a relatively high UV protection factor. Choose whatever colour scheme pleases you. Red usually fades quicker than other colours. High quality reds will just take longer. It's a matter of chemistry, to do with red absorbing higher energy/shorter wavelength light.

Marine Cruises at Swanley Bridge Marina, on the Llangollen nr. Nantwich. You could get to Whitchurch in a full day (c. 8hrs). A number of locks and swing bridges, and the staircase at Grindley Brook. Pubs at Wrenbury and Willeymoor Lock, Pub and Cafe at Grindley, several pubs in Whitchurch, though you have a 15-20 min walk into town...it's a lovely town. Moorings on the visitor moorings on the Whitchurch Arm.

1st BSS, Inspector 1 Some minor adjustments required e.g slightly larger vents in bow doors. 2nd BSS Inspector 2 Some major and minor adjustments (missed/ignored by Inspector 1) required e.g. vent pipe from fuel tank dangerous (hadn't changed since 1st BSS), isolator labels required for gas and LX (there weren't any), batteries required securing and covering, etc. You pays your money and you takes your choice!

Some observations from this and other forums: 'Threads' start to fray! I've noticed many times - here and elsewhere - that while the initial responses to a question are usually 'on topic', there comes a point, sooner or later, when it starts to wander off-topic. Sometimes the wandering is interesting, sometimes it isn't. While there may be an issue with asking clear questions ( and that's not always easy if the OP is not quite certain what the problem is), it is often the case that those with expert technical knowledge may not always be able to communicate that knowledge clearly and concisely in writing - particularly if it is highly technical. We're an argumentative, disputatious, opinionated.....and knowledgable lot....for better and, sometimes, for worse!

Re: changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act. I noted a comment by Starcoaster way back in this sad but informative thread, that the recent changes to the DDA meant that owners were now legally liable if their dog attacks another dog. Certainly, when our dog (on a lead) was attacked and badly injured by two off-the-lead boxers in 2012, we were told by the police that the DDA, at that time, didn't cover dog-on-dog attacks. But, as I understand it, the 'new' DDA makes it an offence to attack a guide or assistance dog specifically. Still no mention of dogs generally.

At Swanley Bridge 1. Yes 2. Free 3. Not sure 4. Slow, variable I was told by the office staff that they purposely keep the speed 'low' to stop people streaming and to keep it free. Just about bearable for 'normal' Internet use and emails. We have a 3 mifi as a back-up, just in case and for when we're out on the cut...if we can get a signal.

Re: Whitchurch ( if you get there). The Arm isn't that big, but you can moor all the way down to the end - except opposite the winding hole halfway down - although it doesn't look if you can. Handy if it's busy, and others are not mooring there. But it's quite narrow at the bottom end, so best to reverse in using the winding hole. Only downside is it's quite shady in the mornings. Getting into town: Walk through the tunnel at the end of the arm, and either follow the nature trail into town, or walk along the road. Either way, head for the big church - which is worth a visit as it's quite magnificent. Opposite the church is the Black Bear pub - which we like - and you're at the top of the High Street (Main Street). Nice bakers/coffee shop halfway down. There a Tesco supermarket at the bottom the High Street. Interesting little town, with some lovely old buildings.