jeddlad

Last night I was moored up to the boat with the ducks, nice chap, ducks were fine, seemed in good health and in good welfare, I was worried about my dog hassling them but the ducks soon put my pooch in his place. Sorry but imo, what a snobby assumption you have made about the liveaboard boater who is tending to the ducks. You have made your judgment based on what his boat looks like and your baseless presumption that he doesn't move very much. Shame on you.

Live and let live. It's down to CaRT to police overstaying, non licence payers and boats without a valid BSC. The local council won't be interested as it's far cheaper to facilitate someone living on a boat like this rather than offer suitable accommodation and support.

Don't assume that a boat displaying an out of date licence or no licence at all is unlicenced. My attitude is that if Canal and River trust can't be bothered to send me a licence, then I can't be bothered to use my printer, ink and paper to print one. I am a law abiding boating but if CRT can pay their top level managers and CEO such huge saleries, they should be able to send each boater a licence when they renew.

When I Went past 3 weeks ago there was also no sign with the fuel price displayed. I'm not sure how legal his set up was as they only accepted cash. Shame if it's closed as was always the cheapest fuel by a quite a way round that area.

There is a boat stuck in lock 9 of the Napton flight. It hasn't been cilled or damaged. There does appear to be a smidgen of clearance each side so the summery (made in the Folly with the boat owner, locals and numerous pints) is that the pound is low and he's caught on the bottom. C&RT are attending Monday morning

I enjoyed a great couple of nights in the Coventry basin earlier this month. No problems at all. The cafe does a fantastic English breakfast and the price was very reasonable. There were a few people hanging around at night but nothing malicious and all were perfectly polite when I engaged them in conversation. I would definitely moor there again .

Christine at Trinity Marina is lovely lady, the moorings looked good when I was there on Sunday. Unfortunately it's too expensive for my northern tastes

I need to leave the boat for 4 or 5 days around Stone on the T&M. Any one have any suggestions for a good place I can moor up? Thanks

Sorry to hear of your loss. When you're ill or feeling down, amazing how dogs pick this up and then won't leave your side. Don't know what I'd do without Lucas, my Dachshund. My thoughts are with you.

Sorry to hear about your loss. Dogs give so much love and are great company especialy if you live alone.

It's an MX 40 and it's the control panel thats gone. Now to try and get a new one!

Can anyone recommend a Mukini Specialist who can attend my boat moored is at Sawley? My heating has packed up, the unit makes a noise and has power, it just won't fire up. I have friends flying in on Sunday from Spain for a few days on the boat plus I have family members visiting for 4 days next Wednesday. Really need someone to get it working - PLEASE HELP

Hi All, Just left Sawley Marina, heading up to Great Haywood and then back. Please wave and say hello if you see us. Dave

Thanks for all your ideas / suggestions. Turned out to be an easy fix - air lock in the water system. Filled the tank continuosly with the hose, had the taps and shower on full blast until the airlock was gone. Thanks again

LOL - Yes I did that

The engine compartment is bone dry but I can't see any access into the cabin bilge at all. The carpet has always been a bit damp to touch near the side hatch but we thought this would clear up after the side hatch was re-sealed etc. Thanks for the suggestions, will go to the boat tomorrow and will report back

The bilge at the stern of the boat is bone dry (it's just been re-painted - Great job - Thanks Ian.)but I don't see any other access into the bilge apart from the engine compartment. I did think that the engine compartment was sealed from the main bilge??

The (fresh) water pump is coming on every 1 minute and 20 seconds (or so) but only for 2-3 seconds each time. I haven't noticed a leak but not all the pipe work is easily accessible. I'm not noticing a drop in the water level in the tank but haven't been monitoring for long. Could this be the diaphragm or does it sound like a leak? The water pump is a Jabsco flow Jet PR 405 - 143

We did Shardlow to Langley Mill and back in 2 and 1/2 days last May. We went at a fair pace but every single lock going up was against me. We tried and tried to catch up with the boat in front but just kept missing them!

They were manned this morning when I came through Sawley locks. Really liking the Erewash, lots of weed but nice friendly people, lots of waves and smiles. Only been down the weed hatch once todsay! Now moored just north of Stanton Lock, rural location, lots of walkers, joggers, dog walkers and cyclists. All qiuet now as it's dark. Langley Mill tomorrow. Hope I catch the bugger who is leaving the top gates and paddles open, it's a real pain in the backside closing both top gates and the gate and ground paddles each lock. THANKS whoever you are! Dave BUT when I came up on Sunday from the Soar to Sawley Cut, they were unmanned. I believe that even in Summer they are unmanned on a Sunday.

The Hope and Anchor is still as bad! I call these chain type food pubs, Boil in the bag! Still I can't complain, Mum and Dad love their boating, my Dad is very confident with Smokey Joe and he's 77 but neither of them can walk more than about 100 yards. The Hope and Anchor was handy as it was getting late and the pork chops in the fridge were 6 days past their eat by date. Big up to Keith at the Albion - Canal Bank, Loughborogh. I had to go to a friend’s 40th b'day and after a taxi to Sawley to collect my car, a quick trip to Sheffield and then back to Loughborough where the boat was moored; Keith very kindly let me leave my car in his pub car park. I only popped in for a pint so I could claim I'd been a customer if there was a problem when I reclaimed the car. A few regulars in and some boaty people, numerous pints later I wobbled home to the boat. I did buy Keith a couple of halves so didn't feel too bad leaving my car there for 2 days. I really didn't think pubs like this existed anymore. very old school but very welcoming. Drop in for a pint if you're passing. Off to the Erewash tomorrow with trepidation in my heart. Have heard more good stories than bad about the Erewash but the bad were bad! Dave

Well we're having a great time on the River Soar. Came down from Sawley cut on Thursday morning, a bit windy but a nice sunny day. Moored just south of Loughborough after re-supplying in the town centre. Very handy moorings to go shopping! Today was less windy and still sunny. Came down to Thurmaston, winded by MGM Boats and am now moored by the Hope and Anchor. Heading back up the Soar tomorrow but will go straight ahead at Trent Lock rather than left to Sawley and go and spend a few days on the Erewash. Great cruise so far, thanks for all the suggestions. Dave

Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking of the Erewash, Soar and Trent myself but was wondering if the river could be liable to flood in early October? Dave

I'm planning a week cruise out of Sawley from October 5th. We will be a crew of 3. Have cruised a fair few times, west from Sawley so have been to Shardlow, Willington, Burton, Fradley Junction a few times this season. Anyone have any ideas / suggestions? Dave