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Hi there, I'm new to the forum (and boating) and have a couple of questions that I hope someone on here can help me with. My partner and I are looking to buy a 19m (mostly) liveaboard barge and we're looking for a mooring somewhere on the grand Union between London and marsworth, but there are none big enough for us that we can find atm. So we're thinking of cc'ing (even once we have a mooring we plan on cruising for several weeks at a time, but just coming back to 'Home base' in between) around the lower grand Union/regents canal and the Thames. I work full time in Marylebone and my partner is freelance with most of his work in Aylesbury/shepperton/London area. Is there anyone on here who works full time and manages to CC around the London area? Mostly concerned about fitting the maintenance and daily extras around the day job, as well as the more obvious challenge of moving every 2 weeks. Any insights/advice much appreciated! Another big factor is just how possible it is to get through London and find a mooring for a boat as big as ours?! We've seen a few similar boats moored up on regents canal but at 4.2m beam she's quite a monster.

If you are around London, you might be interested in my new project - a solo show looking at the quirkier side of boating & what it's really like living on the canals. The show has been going nicely so far & I'm about to start a Tuesday night residency at The Barge House, a new & charming little venue on the Regents Canal close to Haggerston Station. It starts at 8 pm and ends around 10 pm. Full details here: http://www.angryboater.com If you would like to come this week or next, below are secret links for boater friends to book cheaper tickets. Tues Feb 10th http://www.wegottickets.com/sct/yPkMwzgYcZ Tues, Feb 17th http://www.wegottickets.com/sct/DeZnHAX8zy

Hi all, (Please let me know if there is a better place/forum to put this post - Thanks!) As the title suggests, I am looking for long term accommodation aboard a boat. I will consider any boats in livable conditions, though a narrowboat seems like the most likely candidate. The boat would ideally be within London zones 1 to 3 (I work as an Operations Manager and my workplace is situated by London Bridge), although I am open to suggestions so feel free to make any. I am looking for a room at the very least, though taking an entire boat would be ideal (I can put down a sizable deposit £1500 to £2000). I was a sea cadet when I was a boy so I have more knowledge about boating than your average Joe. I have advanced knowledge of engines and experience maintaining and troubleshooting/fixing them. I have experience piloting speedboats, and a few other motorized vessels. Moving the boat every 2 weeks is not an issue for me. Please see my spareroom ad for more information on me. (Don't worry about my budget on there, that's negotiable) http://spareroom.co.uk/3576569 If you know anyone who is looking to rent, you have somewhere to rent, or you have helpful advice - Please contact me. I'll try to keep an eye on this post for replies, but you can reach me via louis@diecastproductions (dot) com or 07449 816 761. Thanks in advance! Sorry for the long post...

23 July 2014 CHANGES TO CENTRAL LONDON VISITOR MOORINGS The Canal & River Trust is making changes to four visitor mooring sites in central London to help make sure the limited space is shared fairly between visiting boats and those who make the capital their home. The plan, which is being put in place in August, was worked on with the Better Relationship Group and benefits from feedback from boaters. The Trust looked at four sites that are popular with visitors and locals, and can get busy: Victoria Park, Broadway Market, Little Venice and Kensal Green. In recent months the Trust has also looked at visitor moorings at Islington and in Paddington Basin. In Victoria Park, half the moorings at the site will remain at 14 days while half will change to 7 days, following feedback from boaters who felt reducing the whole length to 7 days was not necessary in the area. With excellent tube connections at Mile End, the seven day stretch will benefit visiting boats who want a base to explore London. In Broadway Market the Trust will create a new 7-day mooring site of approximately three berths. The area has become a popular tourist destination, with a thriving bar and restaurant scene as well as the Saturday market, and is within easy reach of Shoreditch and the City. In Little Venice the eastern half of the visitor moorings (those closest to the Trusts Little Venice office) will be 7 days while the western half will be 14 days. Little Venice is a beautiful spot and is a fantastic gateway to central London. The Trust had also proposed reducing the stay times of two visitor mooring berths at Kensal Green, but the view from the Better Relationship Group and boaters was that the site wasnt enough of a visitor hotspot to justify the changes. Following this advice, the whole stretch will remain a 14-day visitor mooring. The Trust will be updating the signage at all the sites, including details of the stay times, a clear description of the location and the post-code and grid reference in case of emergencies. We are also investigating the options for rolling out the Volunteer Caretaker Boater scheme and providing a reserved berth at each visitor mooring to help manage the sites and provide information and advice to boaters. Sorwar Ahmed, London boater liaison manager at Canal & River Trust, said: Anyone whos been boating in London recently will have experienced first-hand just how much busier its become. While space at visitor moorings and on the towpath is often available, boaters tell us that they have difficulty finding space to moor, and some people avoid the capital completely because of the congestion. While well never be able to solve all these problems the waterways are, after all, a finite space I hope these changes will make it easier for more boaters to moor up at some of our most popular spots. Im grateful to the help and advice weve received from the Better Relationship Group and other boaters whose feedback has shaped the plans. The plans were developed with the Better Relationships Group, which was set up with boating groups to help improve communications and engage boaters, in particular, in developing local policy. Once the plans were drafted, the Trust emailed a survey to boaters in London asking for views, and hosted a number of pop-up towpath meetings to discuss the proposed changes. The feedback has been incorporated into the final plans. More information on the consultation can be found here: http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/consultations/completed-consultations. ENDS

CANAL & RIVER TRUST INTRODUCES NEW INITIATIVES TO HELP MANAGE LONDON MOORINGS This month, the Canal & River Trust is beginning a range of initiatives to help manage the ever-increasing number of boats in London. Its recruiting a number of enforcement personnel, starting a programme of text-messaging reminders to overstaying boaters and bringing in some changes to central London visitor moorings. Londons waterways have seen a 36% rise in boat numbers over the past five years to 2,964 boats in March 2014 (from 2,175 boats in 2007). In the past year alone, overall numbers have risen by 14%, while the number of continuous cruisers in East London has increased by 85%. The new initiatives, which include the recently-announced changes to central London visitor moorings, aim to encourage greater movement of boats to make mooring fairer for everyone. This month the Trust will start to text message Londons boaters when theyve reached the maximum stay time on a 14-day towpath mooring, as a gentle reminder that its time to move on. These reminders are already sent to boaters on parts of the Kennet & Avon Canal. The Trusts team will carry on speaking face-to-face with overstaying boaters and leaving notices on boats. The Trust has recently recruited an enforcement supervisor and an additional enforcement officer for London. Another enforcement officer vacancy is also being advertised to bring the London enforcement team back up to full strength. Enforcement is vital, especially in busy locations that are popular with boaters who may be having trouble getting to grips with the movement rules. The enforcement team enforces the rules so everyone is treated fairly, and also offers advice and guidance to boaters who run into difficulties. The Trusts programme of new casual moorings is moving forward with new mooring rings on the way at Camden (Camley Street) and Haggerston (Actons Lock). The sites require the completion of a technical assessment and appropriate timetabling of the work and it is hoped the installation will start soon. Moorings are also being planned along the Lee Navigation next to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Boaters views on other suitable locations are welcome. The Trust is aiming to establish additional facilities for boaters by seeking provision in new canalside development, as well as any new mooring sites. In particular, new facilities are planned in Haggerston and on the Lee Navigation by the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. In August a number of changes will be made to the visitor moorings in Paddington Basin. The plan includes installing a new water point, updating signage and new bookable moorings at Rembrandt Gardens. These actions build on feedback from the Better Relationships Group, which was set up with boating groups to help improve communications and engage boaters, in particular, in developing local policy. Sorwar Ahmed, London boater liaison manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: Were doing all we can to manage the canals and rivers for the benefit of all both those who make Londons waterways their home, and those who want to visit the capital. I hope these measures help to ease the pressure of boating in the capital, and give everyone a fair chance to moor up safely.

CRT have released a response to the London Assembly Report on Moorings There's a link to other CWDF postings here - http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=56653 The London Assembly Report is here - http://www.london.gov.uk/mayor-assembly/london-assembly/publications/moor-or-less-moorings-on-london-s-waterways The CRT response follows here: LONDON ASSEMBLY REPORT ON MOORINGS We welcome the London Assemblys report and the recognition of the important contribution the waterways make to the life and economy of the city. In such a fast paced and hectic city, canals and rivers offer much needed peace and relaxation as well as providing vital transport corridors and recreation. We hope the Assemblys investigation leads to a greater understanding of the role the GLA, London boroughs, boaters and other canal users all need to play in helping us ensure our waterways can continue to be enjoyed now and into the future. In many respects, the Capitals waterways are busier and more popular than ever. They are enjoyed and shared by millions of Londoners and tourists each year as great places to walk, cycle, fish, cruise and live. They are a finite resource and suffer the same issues of congestion as other parts of the city. We believe the report's recommendations for increases in moorings and enhanced facilities will be challenging to deliver in light of this congestion and the limited opportunities available within London, however we welcome the opportunity to work with local planning authorities, GLA and other stakeholders to find the right solutions for the canals and the many people who use and enjoy them. The Assembly has just published its report, so well go through it and be able to respond in more detail in due course. The Canal & River Trust is a charity set up to care for 2,000 miles of waterways on behalf of the nation. In London it cares for around 100 miles of canals, rivers and docks which are enjoyed by millions of visitors each year. The Trust is actively encouraging communities to get more involved in their local waterways through adopting stretches of canal to volunteering as lock keepers or becoming towpath rangers. This month more than 800 Londoners took the opportunity to walk through a drained lock chamber in Camden and learn about the work it takes to care for the Capitals waterways. -------------------------------------------- Fran Read National Press Officer

Hello! New to the boating community and in need of an electrician & plumber. Currently Moored in the East London and having some minor issues with solar panels and various other odd jobs. Can anyone recommend any electricians and plumbers around the London area? Thanks!

Hi all, We have a 1908 Dutch tjhalk 60ft (18m) ,11.5 ft wide (3.5m) which we have been renovating since last summer when it was in dry dock. It is nearly finished and my daughter and I have been living on her in Castelmoron-sur-Lot in the South of France during the week when she has been in school doing her A Levels. Now she is heading to London to do a course near Farringdon/Barbican. We were wondering whether anyone would be interested in a 10 month barge swop starting in September. We have asked if she would like to go into student accommodation but she would rather live in the barging community because she says "people on boats are much friendlier". Obviously the closer she is to where she will be studying the better. I guess we are talking Regents Canal, Lee or Limehouse Cut. Our boat is currently on the Lot which is absolutely stunning. It is only a half day journey from the Canal des Deux Mers, alternatively called Canal Lateral. The trip involves a piloted trip up part of the Garonne and then onto the river Baise although passage does depend on river water levels. You can then follow the Baise or pass through a lock onto the Canal which will take you towards Bordeaux or Toulouse continuing along the Canal du Midi towards the Med. We would probably not want to move the barge we borrow for our daughter but we are happy for our own boat to be moved provided it is back in the area of Toulouse by the end of the period. In order to move our barge you would need to have your ICC which may need you to do the RYA CEVNI course (£20) which we did online and then RYA issue an ICC based on your IWHC. We haven't really thought about mooring fees etc - who would pay what - but if we can find someone interested then I'm sure we can work this out. Really interested to see if we can make this work.

Hoping Mark Pullinger doesn't mind, but over on London canal scape Mark has linked to a collection he has been building through Pinterest. http://www.pinterest.com/boatbrains/historic-london-canal-waterway-images/ It's an online pinboard in effect, and is full of images many of which I have never seen before (no surprise there). Most of all, if you click on an image, you may find the image simply enlarged, or as in several cases it opens up a complete compendium of historic information and associated images. You could spend all day searching through there are so many. Maps that lead to East London from the air with locations of specific works and their potted histories. PS: Example: Click on 'Regent's Canal Dock Limehouse London' and this image is enlarged so: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/462533824200262364/ - but click again on the new image, and on the "next page" there is BARON as PEARL in Oldbury and Aylesbury with a nice shot of the canopy over the cut and warehouse.