midnight cowboy
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Everything posted by midnight cowboy
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Was that the one that emerged at Little Venice? We must have just missed it Tony
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The Police have finished investigating the cut between St Pancras lock & City Road, Islington, on the Regents Canal, following the discovery of a body in the cut near the West portal of the Islington tunnel and the cut and towpath have reopened. CaRT have yet to update their website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/4773/city-road-lock-lock-5-to-st-pancras-lock-lock-4-regents-canal-islington
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Hire Boats Banned on Thames PLA waters
midnight cowboy replied to nine9feet's topic in General Boating
I have been up river from Limehouse to Brentford and back several times. I also participated in the Jubilee pageant - so have also steered between West India Lock and the Barrier as well. I did the Marine VHF training a few years ago when it was one day - I understand it is now 2 days. I agree with much of the constructive comments already made above. A totally ban is indeed overkill - but training and experience are important, especially below Brentford. Of course people can join other boats on trips, eg. St Pancras, as a way to gain experience - that's how I did it. Perhaps hire boat companies would need to see some evidence of experience [as well as Marine VHF licence] - what might be a simple and effective way of doing this? This is an issue for all 'moving' waters. Try the Yorkshire Ouse! -
Well we have permanent mooring on the Regents and weren't invited - did anyone go?
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There are also the Stour & Medway rivers in Kent - not sure about living aboard but there are moorings
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I agree with Tam - learn't my lessons the hard way driving old Northwichs, drive up hard and shut off as the bow goes in and the stern will lift over the silt and rubbish people throw in off the bridge.
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London muddy ditch, available moorings soon...
midnight cowboy replied to matty40s's topic in General Boating
The Olympic site is still hanging on to the Bow Back Rivers - they are open 'ditches' Limehouse - aka Regents Canal Dock is now a G&T type yacht marina & St Katherine's has been a marina for years. Moored our narrowboat in West India before and after the Diamond Jubilee Pageant - that would make a good yuppie marina too -
If you want somewhere nearer, have you tried Steve at Bulls Bridge?
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Thanks for the fast responses - yes we are happy to move Tarporley to the engineer's yard - I am sure that will mean they can use any heavy gear to do a good job. - We've been to Braunston for work in the past.
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Hi Can anyone recommend a suitable engineer/mechanic who could help us rebuild/overhaul our Lister HR2 air-cooled twin-cylinder engine - preferably in situ in our Northwich? We are in N London, based on the Regents Canal, but would move her to the right person for the job. We are a charity running a community boat. Thanks in anticipation. Tony
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For those against (over) regulation - whilst I agree with this sentiment - there are 2 reasons why renting boats needs some regulation: firstly to ensure risks such as gas and solid fuel stove fires are minimised and, secondly because canals such as the regent's through N London will soon completely clog up with continuous moorers. Yes - that's right, I am fortunate to have a house and navigate a community boat on the same, so cheap accomodation is nto an issue for me. If we want to do something about this we need to do something about the housing market so that properly affordable places becoem available and then the cut will be left to those who wish to navigate it [whether they live aboard or not] not!
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Not sure if you will be on the Curly Wurly - seemed vandal free - apart from some shallow weedy sections it's a fascinating canal - open common land in the Northern part, the only problem we had was someone [local anglers?] had stuffed all the padlock keys on the Rushall flight with wood, fortunately my friend has a full workshop on his boat and had to use his rechargeable drill to clear them. Sneyd facilities were underused and wide open - great quiet place for lunch. Also - you must stop at the Manor Arms, Daw End on the Rushall - moor up by the pub garden [safe overnight] - unique - no bar counter & self service beer taps - more info on http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/48/4873/Manor_Arms/Rushall - enjoy.
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There is also a pump out station in the marina at Battlebridge basin, near the Canal Museum which is close to you - you need to see the Marina manager at the far end for tokens.
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I agree with most of the constructive comments already made - there is never an absolute right or wrong when boating - in this case I'd like to know if you were on a narrow or broad canal - if the latter and you left 1.5 narrowboat widths when moored on astraight section I'd find it hard to even get my 11.5ft wide broad beam past you . . . . so the answer to this and many other Qs on the cut - is did you think about the impact of what you are doing, and consider all circumstances???
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Can i assume you don't intend to go further down the Thames below Brentford? Do try to do it on a rising tide - the flow on the Thames is strong! If doing Brentford- Limehouse - don't - do it upstream. Tony
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If you stop at Burnley, do so at the old historic wharf - safe mooring - before the old toll house and the embankment. Nelson & Colne had some shifty hoodies on the towpath but we moored there for the night safely in 2005. Do stop at Salterforth Bridge No 151 - the Anchor Inn has stalactites in the cellar - ask the bar staff to show you! - also the double arch bridge is unique. Great village pubs to stop near
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I have also found - e.g.with stone throwers, that getting your camera or phone camera out and pointing it at vandals inhibits them too - they mostly run off.
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Steering with knees and a low tiller
midnight cowboy replied to Mr Badger's topic in General Boating
We have one for our mains hook up - thought everyone had them? -
They are in mid & north wales, not south wales
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Gloucester to the Midlands, River Severn in one day?
midnight cowboy replied to Tiller Trash's topic in General Boating
You should have no difficulty on the Severn. The lock out from Gloucester docks is CRT operated - you will need to check times with the lock keeper. There are pontoons at both Diglis (Worcester) and Stourport. Suggest you moor up overnight at Worcester. -
I agree with the helpful suggestions about using extra pins to make mooring more secure. I also think you shouldn't try anything mechanical before calling the owner first and asking them what they want you to do. Diagnosis by forum is impossible and risky. Assuming you are boat sitting on a mooring and not driving it anywhere, securing the mooring is the only important issue.
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Advice on Chester/Ellesmere Port visit
midnight cowboy replied to Bugsworth Tippler's topic in General Boating
Was there last April may - main issue is the slow approach to Chester due to miles of online moorings. The town moorings, near the Dee arm are fine - but get busy - arrive early - pub opposite can be a bit noisy - safety not an issue here - try Wigan, Nelson & Colne on the L&L!! Don't miss a walk around Chester on the city walls - uniquely intact and accessible [other than Derry] and the 2 tier shops in the centre. The racecourse is also a great walk around. Do visit the River Dee and the weir - it's said to be navigable on Spring highs - to be seen to be believed! The canal north to Ellesmere P is very open to the wind - we were driving at 15 degree angle in April and there is some noisy motorways in places. The museum needs some investment so seems rather run down - more like a salvage yard of old ships in places - but is worth a visit. Great views of Liverpool across the Mersey. Would like to cross it by boat sometime. Enjoy -
Correct navigation lights for a small boat ?
midnight cowboy replied to Dream Daisy's topic in General Boating
Not sure you need the full 2 n.m. visibility unless you are going into coastal waters also - e.g. Severn estuary, Wash etc. -
What about a long lease - i.e. for the season? I am an experienced boater. I skipper a community boat when I have time. My wife works full-time still [late children in family] - so we haven't bought even a boat share - but she has agreed to 'cruise the network' when she retires in a few years. Other than trying to 'borrow' friend's boat - does anyone have any suggestions? I fully understand all the pitfalls listed by others in this thread [i am a landlord too!!]
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I have been trying to get this point across to both the old BW and CaRT for some time - even if you phone their switchboard at HQ the staff have no idea where places are on the cut, so try explaining a problem to them!! They have also changed a lot of their numbers. On the plus side when we had trouble operating an electric lift bridge on the Caldon recently, we rang the number on the cabinet and they quickly explained where we were going wrong and we were quickly on our way.