Jo

Many, Many thanks for all your postings, they have all been most helpful and have certainly given us a few ideas on what to burn. We will certainly be looking into the housecoal option (sorry neighbours if your moored with us ) and the Taybrite. We have found that with our classic stove, even if we have everything shut down tight it is burning into overdrive with Excel Blaze and with the Homefire. At 2am this morning we were up damping the stove down with ash as we could not sleep for the heat. Mind you it was not that cold outside I will get hubby to read all the posts and we decide which way to go. Once again Many thanks.

Blackrose many thanks for the reply. We have tried Blaze which was way to hot, the stove went into melt down at the moment we are trying homefire, which seems a little better. But as you say everyone is different. I guess we keep trying.

Now that winter is approaching fast. I am in two minds as to which coal is best for a boatmans cabin stove. Due to the fact that boatmans cabin stoves are not air tight like most fires on a boat, I need a coal that will give out a gentle heat as we sleep in the cabin, but will stay in for a year and a day Has anyone got any ideas. I am sure someone out there has a tried and tested coal.

Awwwwwwwww what an awful time you had getting to Crick. But as they say "Things can only get better". I sincerely hope you have a fantastic weekend, and I am sure there will be many people offering help and lots of hot tea. Enjoy your Crick weekend. It is always a fantastic time.

He was definatly not a very good captain. It was obvious that they would never fit, so why the hell did he not slow down. And I will not make any comment on the fact tat it was a bloke hahaha Geesh I wonder what the bill was for that lot?

I received an e-mail this morning from someone at the BASC (British Association for shooting and Conservation), and here is what he had to say on the laws for carrying a rifle. Maybe this will clarify things. Firstly with regards to your comments about ‘bandits’ - the law allows a person to use reasonable force to protect persons and property and each case must be assessed on its merits as to whether the person’s actions were justified and not pre-meditated. With regards to the air rifle, it is not an offence for an air weapon to be kept in or on the narrow boat as it is not a public place. This includes sitting on the boat in full view e.g. for cleaning etc. the narrow boat is a private place. But sadly with any visible gun these days, people think that this is ‘not right’ or ‘against the law’ and phone the police, where the complainant may be charged with wasting police time if the gun is found to be legally held, but it is down to all of us to individually exercise common sense. If the narrow boat is using a public right of way (waterway) and the air weapon is taken from the boat to another place to be used i.e. where the person has permission, this is allowed - he has a reasonable excuse to take that gun through that public place to enable it to be used on private premises elsewhere. If the air weapon was used to shoot at things around the boat that were on other people’s property or owned by other people, an offence of criminal damage would be committed but is has to be proven! Later this year a new offence of firing a pellet beyond the firer’s permitted premises comes into effect. The following code of practice may also be of use to you - http://www.basc.org.uk/content/airriflepractice Also reading the may help. "British Waterways Bye-Law 46 No Person shall throw, shoot or otherwise propel any stone, bullet, shot or other missile from, into or over any vessel or canal £100 fine for breach. In addition; 1) It is an offence to have a loaded weapon in a public place (and a canal is a public place) 2) It is an offence to fire a weapon without the permission of the landowner. "

Just been reading with interest the new Code of Conduct for cyclists on the towpaths in London. Have a read see what you think http://www.waterscape.com/Regent's_Can...uction/extra.65 I would like it through out the country How are the cyclists going to be told about this and who is going to police it? I know we need something like this where we are, now that the towpath is a new cycleway.

Congratulations Tomska, she looks fabulous. May I wish you many happy hours cruising on her.

Moley Your first posting was a very good one, it has certainly bought up a good debate. My husband and I have had a first hand experience with a firearm, when we were shot at from the towpath with an air pistol. Thankfully the pellets missed us and hit the boat. The Police in Coventry took this extremely seriously, and the youths were caught and taken to court. The sheer fact that this guy had the gun uncovered on the roof, for the use incase of bandits would be seen by the police as intent. I personally always have my mobile phone on hand and the camera, which were both used when we were fired upon, and the police found the photographs useful. Great posting Moley.

Air Gun Laws state. Public Places and Highways A public place is anywhere where the public are allowed to go even though they may have to pay to be there. Roads, streets, footpaths, public parks, play areas and canal towpaths are all examples of public places. It is an offence for anyone to have an air rifle - whether it is loaded or not - in a public place unless they have a reasonable excuse for doing so, for example, whilst on the way to a gunshop or to a shooting club. Offence Penalties: Statute Law The Penalties for breaking current UK firearms laws with Airguns are as follows:- Carrying a loaded Air-weapon in a public place 6 months imprisonment and / or £5,000 fine. Trespassing with an air weapon 3 months imprisonment and / or £2,500 fine. Trespassing on private land with an air weapon 3 months imprisonment and / or £2,500 fine. Possessing or using an air weapon if sentenced to 3 months or more in custody 3 months imprisonment and / or £2,500 fine. In addition if original sentence up to 3 years 5 year ban on use of firearms. Or if for 3 years or more Life ban on use of firearms. Killing or injuring any bird or protected animal unless authorised £5,000 fine. Firing an air weapon within 15m / 50ft of a public highway £1,000 fine. Selling or hiring air weapon or ammunition to person under 18 6 months imprisonment and / or £5,000 fine. Making a gift of air weapon or ammunition to person under 14 £1,000 fine. Having air weapon or ammunition with intent to damage property 10 years imprisonment. Having air weapon with intent to endanger life Life imprisonment and / or appropriate fine. Using air weapon to resist or prevent arrest Life imprisonment and / or appropriate fine. Threatening others with an air weapon (even if unloaded) to cause them to fear unlawful violence 10 years imprisonment and / or appropriate fine. Not forgetting the chance of being shot and killed by the police should you not obey instructions when challenged by them, they cannot tell if you have just an airgun or a more lethal firearm so will treat all arms as lethal and respond accordingly. If you want to read more then go to http://www.chweston.co.uk/acatalog/Airgun_Laws.html I was also under the impression that you had to keep firearms in a fixed and lock cabinet at all times unless being used. But I maybe wrong. If I had seen this particular person I would not of hesitated in calling the police or BW.

Hi Dor. Glad to know you had a good ride, even if bumpy........... show me a towpath that is not these days lol. Perhaps Mr Swan was on a break, or having a day off hahahaha. Any glad to hear all was well.

Over staying on short term or even long term moorings is not right, and that is all there is to it. But unless someone police's it these people will continue to get away with it. No to wrong's make a right, so I cannot see the point in giving up a mooring you pay for. I can understand how frustrated you are but you can bet your bottom dollar that you would be the one to get caught. And now you have high lighted it you can bet someone will be going to take a look LOL. At 12 hour moorings where we are, 2 boats had been moored there since November, they finally moved over the weekend. Whether anyone had said anything to them I have no idea. These 12 hour moorings have disabled signs on them. There are many out there who are selfish and disrespectful, but that does not mean we have to lower ourselves to join them. I think if you have a paid mooring you should keep it, but I do understand how you feel.

Hi Dor. Coming from the area. I can say that the towpath is actually pretty good, if not a little over grown at the moment as they have not been out and cut the grass yet towards Stone. The only problem you may encounter is a pair of swans at Aston who are protecting their nest at the moment and are being a little aggressive, so wear shim pads LOL. I hope you have an enjoyable ride, it is beautiful along the stretch. Let us know how you get on.

Hi Pixiesun. I totally agree with R Dixon if you cannot rent a boat, definately hire a boat and not just in the summer months either. We have lived aboard now for over 2 years and absolutely love it, but as we have seen it is not for everyone. I know of a couple who live aboard and are still undecided as to whether they like it. I also know of someone who lived aboard and decided they hated it during the winter so put the boat up for sale. You may see waterworld or locks and quays and think wow that looks perfect, but what they do not show you is the down side of living aboard. They only show it in the good weather and not when it is chucking it down with rain and the towpaths are muddy etc etc. Life onboard a boat is what you make it, and is as difficult or as easy as you make it. I love it and so do so many others. Remember if your going to go for a liveaboard you do need to organise a mooring, I would advise doing that first. Look at lots of different boats, don't just buy the first one you see. Speak to lots of boaters along the towpaths, they will tell you their experiences and will give you a real insight to how it is to live aboard. We do not all see it through rose coloured glasses LOL. I wish you lots of lucky and if I can help at all please let me know.

Hi Trish Please do not worry about your terminology, I reckon you have enough on your plate at the moment without having to apologise for relaying a message. I would like to think no one here would of been offended, after all we are all trying to help with the safe return of your narrowboat. Have a good day and lets hope for positive news very soon, so that you may get back to normal what ever that is LOL.

I have sat and read all the up to date posts about this boat being blue. I would think that this would of been a quick paint job, so no chance to rub her down totally. In which case green paint will show through if she gets scratched as all boats do, and the name Holly and Middlewich Narrowboats will show through. Because unless he has ground her back to bare metal there will be an inprint of the letter still to see under the Blue paint. I know this because our boat was repainted before we bought her and you can still see the original owners name on the boat if you stand in a certain light. So if you see this Blue boat it maybe worth checking this out also. There is nothing to say he has not already changed the colour again since that photograph was taken. Did the gentleman just contact Middlewich Narrowboats, or did he contact the police as well at the same time? If it had been me I would of contacted the police straight away, also BW and Middlewich Narrowboats. Then the boat would not of got far before being stopped. If she is spotted I would ring the police and BW, if they come out and it is a false alarm, I am sure they won't mind. Far better to do that than let him get away any further.

Thanks for the picture of Mr King, it helps to put a face to the name. I have just come back from our local Chandlery. Stone Boat Building Company and they have a poster on the door letting people know about Holly, it also has a photograph of the boat. Maybe this is an idea we could all adopt, by putting a similar thing in our boat windows. It will draw the attention of passers by. After all not everyone has a computer or watches the News. Has there been anymore news from Mr Kings family? We have seen Middlewich boats pass us on the Trent and Mersey but not seen Holly at all.

Hi Moley. The cause of death has not yet been establised. Here is the origninal report http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/displ...ed_in_canal.php What ever the cause of death, dumping a dog in the canal bound in plastic and tape is not nice especially for the person or persons who found her. I am against cruelty in any form as I used to rescue the results of cruelty. If this was just a burial then why not dig a grave and bury her. Whilst cruising our liveaboard rabbit died. I did not just chuck her overboard. We found a nice spot for her final resting place and gave her a proper burial. Lets hope that what ever the reasons for this situation it is resolved quickly.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a dead dog, tightly bound in tape and plastic, was found dumped in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal behind Dalby Crescent in Blackburn. The dog, was an adult female black lurcher crossbreed, she showed no obvious outward signs of injury but her body had been tightly bound in plastic film and silver duct tape. Who would do such an awful thing to an animal? She was not microchipped nor wearing a collar and tag, but she seemed in a good, healthy condition which suggests she may have once belonged to someone. If anyone has any information that could help. Please contact the RSPCA cruelty and advice line on 0870 55 55 999. Calls are in confidence. CAN ANYONE HELP???

I bet the poor guy in the boat with his finger in the hole, had heard all the jokes. It has to be everyone's worst nightmare to watch there home or business sink and know there is nothing you can do. Good advice about keep all posessions above water though, something to remember. I sat and read all the posts and I had visions of a cartoon of this poor chap with his finger in a hole Actually perhaps we should not go there

Hi Neil. Welcome to the forum. Of all the groups out there, this one I think is the best. Everyone is friendly and willing to offer advice. Please to hear your enjoying life afloat. Enjoy posting and have a great Summer aboard.

Hi BlueStringPudding. Walking to work this morning (yes, working on a bank holiday Monday!) Arghhhhhhhhhhh work poor you, still I suppose someone has to do it. Just glad it is no longer me What a real shame about the ice cream boat. I have yet to visit that part of the world, but we will do with our new boat, lets hope it is floating again by then. Enjoy your day.

Hi mareco. May I wish you every success with your new venture. You say "I'm going to have a nb holiday in the summer to experience the single-handed bit" Very wise decision, you will then know whether you are going to love or hate it. You will also know whether you will be able to cope alone. Which part of the country are you starting out from? My question is .... how would a liveaboard life be, realistically, for a single not-so-young (in chronological terms only) lady. I'm not worried about getting cold, wet, dirty etc and as I said I'm very practical. There are many women of all ages living aboard on their own and doing it very happily. We have a friend who has her own live aboard boat and loves every minute of it. If she has any problems there is usually a nice young man only to happy to help her out. Whilst out on your summer trip you may get to see other lone crusiers and it will give you a chance to chat to them. You sound like you know what you are letting yourself in for, and if you decide to go ahead with the move, we will look forward to seeing you. Have a lovely holiday.

kawaton. I am sorry to hear of your brothers problems, but this is nothing new as many of the boaters who have used the canals over the years will tell you. My very best advice for anyone cruising through problem areas is to get up early and set off. Last year my husband and I crusied from Stone in Staffs up on to the Leeds and Liverpool and back. We made sure that at any of the problem areas we were up at 5am to set off at 6am, getting through before the bandits get out of bed. I can hear you saying "5am flippen heck" But it is wonderful at that time in the morning, there is so much to see and the wildlife is also just getting up. It is also a great way of missing the ques. If we set off at 6am we would stop around lunch time and spend the rest of the day relaxing, so it does have it's benefits. You do not have to get hit by the bandits if you set off early. It is all a matter of making the choice. Happy Cruising everyone.

You can also pick up Carbon Monoxide alarms from Wilkinsons http://www.wilkoplus.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stor...5&langId=-1 for £19.99. I think all boats should be made to fit them on boats, after all we all fit fire extinguisher's and a fire blanket as part of the boat safetly certificate, so why not a Carbon Monoxide alarm. For the sake of £20 to £30 you could save your life.