Sea Dog

Thanks Nick, that helps. You hear so many evangelists one way or the other, but it's hard to assess when their usage patterns are unknown and might be extra light or harsh. Got mine coming out for a blast and 2 pack with Norton Canes later this year.

This is encouraging! Have your cruising routes been relatively kind in that period or has it just stood up incredibly well to the scrapes and dings which are practically unavoidable in some areas?

Isn't that the Bibby Stockholm?

Not a good place to be! More seriously, isn't the "water" CRT's as it's connected to their system? If it wasn't, it may well be the land owners, but then it would be a lake. There are some exceptions such as Ashwood on the S&W where the water is classed as private - someone will know how that works - but they're few and far between.

As long as the boats are moored on that "land" I'd say you're correct. You might find it a different story for the water though...

Hard to get too annoyed with that sort of first response, isn't it.

I would always wish a tiller to not extend beyond the side of the boat when the rudder is hard over. This is particularly to avoid the hazard of it fouling a lock wall when hard over. Any tiller longer that that should have a hinge to prevent said hazard - not a rarity on the cut.

If you do go down the Severn, I'd chose to carry on to Worcester and up the B&W to Hanbury Junction. The Droitwich Barge Canal is ok, and the restoration effort is to be hugely applauded, but it's a long way and the locks can be a bit heavy going, so you wouldn't want to discover you can't get through the M5 culvert and have to double back to the Severn. The first time you tackle the culvert, do it from the Hanbury end when you can eyeball the level boards and it's not so far to go back if the water is up a bit and your air draught is too high.

Anyway, you can avoid top weight and get the job done much quicker and cheaper by applying the sandy paint to the soles of yer clogs instead...

Your first belt has lasted 16 years and you've just replaced it. A spare is well worth carrying, essential really, but the second spare is likely to be well beyond it's shelf life by the time it's needed. Buy just the one, then buy a fresh one if and when you fit that.

I certainly have - in my case it's a Caprice cooker - but only because my search for something to replace the awful thing has been fruitless. Between the size (too deep or too wide for a standard narrowboat galley fit), 240v ignition and flame failure requirements every alternative has fallen by the wayside. Still, I live in hope and in the meantime I live with an oven that only cooks on the top shelf!

Is the the TARDIS it's sitting outside? If so, I can see The Doctor being sued by a postman with a bad back...

Put the fox and the grain in the boat, leaving the chicken... Oh, hang on, I think I misread the question.

Having been based where you're going for several years, I'd be surprised if you end up feeling short-changed on river time! You're well placed for the nicest bit of the navigable Severn - up to or back from Stourport and the Staffs and Worcester was always a favourite, even in the winter opening hours. Still is actually, although we start from the Shroppie now. Mind you, we always enjoy Brum too. Nice trip you're on really, eh!