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Sorry to hear that, Bob. You're ending your liveaboard life, as I'm about to start mine. Hope it all works out for you.

Normal service resumed, here! Of course, I use 'normal' in a uniquely CWDF fashion.

Thanks for sharing. I think I'll be as terrified as you, when approaching my first lock!

I'm sure you've seen it already, but there is a Stoppages section on this forum, which I've found useful.

Oops, sorry FadeToScarlet - nearly missed your reply. Ah, thanks for that. I hadn't realised my CamCon licence also covered the Nene. That's one less worry, at least!

Breaker one-nine. I hear you, good buddy. You're coming in loud & clear, Lucky Duck. Fancy forming a(n admittedly small) convoy? Over. [ref: C.W.McCall] :-)

Thanks arbutus, I've had a chance to look into this a bit further now. I think I'll be stuck on the Soar at least until the end of March, so a 1 month Rivers Only Licence. (£82.17) will probably be my best option for this period. After that, I'll need to work out how long the journey to the Nene will take me, and buy another licence to cover that.

Hi arbutus, I already have the EA Abloy key, which I'm assuming is the navigation key you mentioned. Thanks for all that info! I believe CRT do a 30 day licence, whereby you get 30 tickets, and simply put a new ticket in your window for each day you're on CRT waters. Not certain if that will be my best option or not. I'll check out your link. Many thanks!

Ah right, I hadn't known that! Thanks again.

Hi MoC, No current CRT licence. The previous owner had died, so the boat had been subject to the usual bureaucracy of probate and was consequently left sitting there awhile. Thanks Matty & MP - that sounds relatively painless!

Hi folks, Time to throw myself at your mercy, yet again (there are CWDF members that I could have PM'ed about this, but keeping it private would be of no help to anyone else - although I'm not sure how common this situation is!) To recap, I recently bought a narrowboat after getting a residential mooring on the River Cam. My boat is currently on the River Soar, the wrong side of stoppages. To get to the Cam, I will be crossing 3 different authorities' waters, one of which (Cam Conservancy) I've already sorted out, but by the time I get past the stoppages, that licence will have expired (grrr!) Given the stoppages on the Soar and the Nene, what CRT & EA licences will be most suitable/cheapest? I believe CRT do a 30 day licence, but I'll throw this one out to you guys. As always, thanks for any & all advice!

Cheers Starry! Yep, I'm now madly rushing around to get all the documents in to the council for my mooring. The head wasn't too bad - just a bit groggy. I have found I'm vaping a hell of a lot just recently - would have never been able to stay off the fags, if I'd just gone cold turkey! (although cold turkey is on the menu a lot!)

Thanks Alanji - yes, a great feeling and a bit daunting! From reading this forum, I know I've got a big learning curve ahead of me.

Thanks a lot, Dyad! My original layout requirements changed quite a bit over time. Of course, I won't know how suitable she is for me until I've lived on her awhile. I dare say there may be some things I'll want to alter. The interior does look nice, but the original owner fit-out was classed as "a bit amateurish in places" by my surveyor - nothing that can't be sorted though! It still hasn't really sunk in. (no pun intended!) Eek! I own a boat!

That'll teach me to open my mouth before engaging brain - I think I read this before on CWDF! There were a couple of unpleasant(ish) surprises - may have just been my surveyor being overly picky - but overall it was ok. However I decide to get her/it back to Cambridge, I'll pay a visit when I'm next up. Ta very much!

Err, I'd have been happy with a cassette! Or better yet, a compost loo! The surveyor agrees with you though, and also liked the fact it's a dump-through (less to go wrong). Thanks Martin! No, I didn't pay full price, but i did pay a grand more than my survey valued her at (mainly due to my mooring deadline) Re: loo choice - well, I can always get a cassette loo as a backup. Cheers Rambling! I haven't seen the full survey report yet, but I seem to remember him saying the only thing wrong with the stove was a couple of fire bricks being cracked. Many congrats, DaisyJ! Hope you have many happy years cruising ahead. Thanks johnmck - I'm sure I will! Thanks, bowten - yes, I'll be a full-time liveaboard. Thanks! Hope you get a chance to use her more this year! Thanks IainW- I think she has a lovely bow & after talking to some of the Pillings Lock liveaboards last night in the bar, apparently she "goes like the clappers"... which immediately made me think they'd all been taking joy rides in her! Yep. Will do, Black Ibis! Cheers, I'll look into it! As per the advice given on here previously, I'll get the local fire brigade to check the boat over. I don't think there was any issues with seals, based on my chat with the surveyor - just a couple of cracked fire bricks. Thanks! Yes, boats are most definitely 'she'

Thanks John! Needless to say, the photos perhaps make her look a little more upmarket than she really is, but I'm happy with her.

Thanks! Actually, I'm a bit apprehensive (zero boating experience). The main emotion I'm feeling at the moment is relief! I can now get all the necessary documents handed in to secure my mooring (the deadline is next week - I was cutting it really fine!) One of the hinges on the doors under the dinette wasn't secure - didn't notice any other dodgy doors - if there are, will be an easy fix hopefully! Thanks! Yeah, she is very woody! I'm thinking of replacing the carpets with wood laminate, but wonder whether that might be going a little too OTT on wood? Errm, I missed my last train home! Ended up in a B&B in Loughborough. Thanks Matty! Wasn't sure how well-known they are - none of the Pillings Lock guys seemed to recognise the firm. Your verdict is reassuring! Yeah, that space at the back offers lots of possibilities. Not so sure about the generator - petrol driven and apparently a bit noisy! Cheers - yep, they were a pleasure to deal with! Yeah, I feel your pain. Saw a few boats i had my heart set on getting snapped up whilst I wasn't ready to buy. You'll get there.

Thanks, Louby... I've certainly got a LOT of learning to do! I was up against a deadline with regards securing my mooring, which wasn't ideal. But she ticked most of my boxes.

Thanks, Ray - I hope so too! P.S. Will have to save any further replies until I get home - battery is running low on phone - am in the bar for another hour or two, should anyone fancy a beer!

Arrgh, it's Loldia! Am I going to have to change her name? Thanks!

http://www.abnb.co.uk/boat_pages/2348web/2348abnb.php?BoatID=2348 Let me know your thoughts on her. I'm in the bar at Pillings Lock Marina at the mo, so you can tell me them in person if you happen to be in the vicinity!

Didn't know that, bizz! I'm glad to hear Satchidanander is in such good hands, and will bear it in mind if I ever get a cat of my own (which can only happen if I get meself a boat!)