Trailerman

Thank you for that erivers. Basically these selfish scruffy freeloaders have ruined the easy going free life we all had on the Thames and now have had us tied us all up in knots. So if I want to stop at say Reading to refuel my boat and do a bit of shopping I am landed with a whopping fee just for an hour or so. If I want to stop at Oxford for a couple of hours (not that I ever would at those two locations now) I have to mess around with my damned laptop to tell EA that I am there. No problem for me anymore, where my boat is now we have none of these problems and I am back to free and easy boating.

Luv you too mate!

Yes, you are right Boilerman, the boat came out of the Thames last August and I am definitely "anywhere". At least where I am people who ponce on the system are encouraged to "go forth and fornicate". I am happy now with my new moorings and when I leave the boat for a couple of pints I know it is relatively safe. What finally pushed me was when I met a boatload of really lovely people on a holiday boat who had unwittingly moored amongst a load of river pikeys and their boat was ransacked when they went out for a meal. Enough said?

Another thing is where do these static boats get rid of their sewage? Oh dear, yes, we must be drinking it formaldehyde and all. Please note that I am not in any way criticising the genuine CCers who do have consideration for other people. Oh yes, and what's that strange smell downwind of some of these boats? Smells a bit like a bonfire burning something odd. Oh yes, I know. Come on EA something needs to be done and done now and not by making it awkward for genuine cruisers by booking the moorings. New byelaws need to be written and enforced. Fines levied and if not paid these scruffy eyesores that plague our river (no, sorry your river as I am now off it and miles away) need to be removed and crushed.

Thanks all you live aboards bunging up all the decent moorings on the Thames. You have now ruined my favourite river. I can't moor anywhere to do a bit of shopping, refuel my petrol powered boat or if I can, leave the boat for an odd pint without worrying if it or my possessions will still be there when I get back. My boat will no longer be on the Thames therefore the EA will no longer get my licence fee. Perhaps if you lot got a job, paid your licence fees and tidied up your scruffy disgraceful eyesores things would be better. In saying all this, and I make no apology for saying it, thank you to all the wonderful lock keepers and staff who have looked after me over many years.