Scholar Gypsy

I think you can buy a mix. I believe there is a limit on the total number of temporary licences you can buy in a 12 month period, and in any case 4 x 1 month licences costs more than an annual one. Eight days is not very long to explore the Nene. You may find this helpful, it covers the Nene even though it is on the GOBA website. https://goba.org.uk/a-guide-for-visitors-to-the-east/

Thank you, it's a Mitsubishi K4, so a bit bigger. To be honest the main reason I want an air filter is to stop screws dropping into the inlet manifold, which I believe doesn't improve performance. I do have a K&N at the moment, my main issue is that it can come off a bit too easily, as the rubber flange is not very high.

I am trying to find a new air filter housing for my 4 cylinder diesel engine. An old fitment is below. It fits on a 2 inch diameter pipe. (I don't have a pipe that connects to the rocker cover /crankcase). I would prefer one with a replaceable filter, rather than a washable one. This seems a ridiculous question to ask here, but online has not really worked for me yet, and a good chandlery I visited recently said they were having problems sourcing them too, Many thanks!

That's fine by me. I think reversion to manual may be easier at some locations, where the original 1930s gearbox is still there, compared to others ?

In addition to the stoppages list, also worth noting that Cogenhoe lock is shut (power supply problems, via the local campsite), and not clear if there is yet a plan for sorting the issue.

Update: the new locking slots are now available in the usual place on the CRT licencing website, together with some brief tips on which ones to choose. As it says there, CRT are producing a longer guide on tideway boating. I have fed in my thoughts on what that should say.

Just to add that following discussions with CRT the new locking slots (see comments above) are now available in the usual place on the CRT licencing website. As it says there CRT are producing a longer guide on tideway boating. I have fed in my thoughts on what that should say.

Occasionally I do open both top paddles when filling the lock before I go downhill, and I need to use both gates (eg at Elton or Yarwell where there is a 90 degree turn into the lock). By the time I have wound the second paddle up the lock is full.

On the Nene, going uphill single handed, the locks can be really quite lively. So I normally tie off the stern line at the back of the lock, and then take in the bow line while operating the paddle. I only use one paddle as they are huge, and it is not possible to cross the top gates (you need to walk all the way round the lock). The bow line is connected to a long light line (you can see it in a heap on the grass) which I take to the stern of the boat once the lock is full. Then I am ready for going up the ladder at the stern, at the next lock.

They are still at it. This photo was taken a few years ago, there is a dog on that boat! I think I saw them on my last trip that way in 2020. More recent ones here from the same company, including the same dog: https://www.rushmatters.co.uk/rush-harvesting

This is a topical issue for the Cam Conservators (of which I am one), as our weed cutters are getting to the end of their economic life. We have a rather weird vessel that is a jack of all trades. The Middle Level Commissioners have a fleet of several small Convers, the 455 I think https://conver.com/en/products/mowing-boats/c455 The EA have a couple of Conver MC103s, I think this model https://conver.com/en/products/weed-harvesters Here they are on the lock moorings at Isleham. I am sure one of the local IDBs would have one that you might be able to borrow. Do the EA have any responsibilities for land drainage etc on the Driffield - in many of the Fenland waterways there is a debate about whether weed cutting is for navigation or for flood defence, or a bit of both!

Here's some stuff about the trip to Hull. We didn't have a pilot but the skipper in charge had spoken to some knowledgeable locals. https://scholargypsy.org.uk/2021/06/17/rivers-trent-humber-and-hull-1-keadby-to-old-harbour/ As noted earlier the Trentlink group is now offering some advice on this, and can point you to some local guides/pilots. I think I read on the Trentlink Facebook group that CRT are planning to organise some sort of escorted convoy around Trent Falls.

There has been some discussion about extending the Gold licence to cover MLC waterways in 2024. I can now offer you three answers to this question. The first two come from a recent CRT document https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/document/zdk_NUte4QiM2pDqr6NwrQ/Kfb8qgg0sBW1XUtFEDSrML23fOmR200w59ehZl0-99k/aHR0cHM6Ly9jcnRwcm9kY21zdWtzMDEuYmxvYi5jb3JlLndpbmRvd3MubmV0L2RvY3VtZW50Lw/018c8bd8-b872-7368-9554-edb5960fb204.pdf It says the licence covers only EA and CRT waterways (at the top) But it has the ML on the list of waterways at the end. (I know the licencing system has allowed you to declare a home mooring on the MLC for a while now.) But the third comes from the MLC https://middlelevel.gov.uk/navigation/licensing/ 3. This says “If you hold a CRT Gold Licence you will either need an Anglian Pass or Middle Level visitor licence to visit our waterways. The Gold Licence arrangements are a partnership between the CRT and the Environment Agency and it has been concluded that there is insufficient demand to justify changes in IT systems and legal agreements to include the Middle Level Commissioners within the formal arrangements. However, we are awaiting (as of March 2024) a formal offer from the Environment Agency to provide income from those CRT Gold Licence holders who have their home mooring as ‘Middle Levels’ within their CRT online account details. We can then invest this income within the Middle Level system alongside other licencing income. In anticipation of this offer from the Environment Agency, if you are a CRT Gold Licence holder and the Middle Level is your home mooring then you need to ensure your details within the CRT system are correct to be considered as licenced on our waterways. We will need to review the situation if the Environment Agency’s offer does not materialise by the end of the 2024 boating season.” Rather confusing! I think I believe the third statement. That means visitors will need either an Anglian Pass or visitor licences to cross the Middle Level. (This is of course impossible at the moment due to stoppages and flooding on the Nene, and a large lump of silt at Salters Lode). Another plug for the more general guidance here: https://goba.org.uk/a-guide-for-visitors-to-the-east/

It's different for paint (subtractive) and light (additive mixing). Mix red and green paint and you get brown, mix red and green lights and you get yellow. https://verywelltech.com/en-us/education/what-color-does-red-and-green-make/

As a red-green (slightly) colour blind person, I am not sure this is a logically sensible question. I can distinguish proper nav lights in the dark very easily. On the other hand grimy buoys at a distance on a murky day are much harder, so I rely on the shape.