Nautihamstern

You might want to make sure that your connectors to the controller are properly protected against accidental touch (IP 20 classification) since a voltage of 80 volts is potentially lethal.

Things are moving forward. Last week we got hold of a gal who knows a guy who'll lend us a tuba and yesterday I managed to get a banjo playing friend to join us. This means that we are now a bona fide jazz band Is it ok to play live music at moorings during the evening, provided that we shut up by 10 pm? Is there any particulatly suitable places for an ex tempore performance in the vicinity of the Stratdord canal? Outdoor stages? Benevolent pub owners?

Thank you for your advice, all of you, we're really looking forward to this trip! Another thing: Does anyone happen to know where I could borrow or rent an Eb tuba for our little group? Our tuba player will get there by herself, but bringing a tuba all the way from Finland could prove to be a problem...

I'm considering one of these: http://www.svb24.com/en/seatec-electric-folding-bike-pedelec-blizzard-36v-8-7a.html Not for keeping on the boat, it's too big for that, but for commuting to work (25 km one way). It's either that or an electric kit for my full sized bicycle. I'm too lazy to do all the pedaling myself...

My family, together with three other families have reserved two boats from Anglo-Welsh for the week after midsummer. We'll be starting from Wootton Wawen on Monday afternoon, unless we get caught up in the jazz evening that apparently is held in the Anchor Inn the same evening, in which case we won't be going anywhere the first night Any suggestions on where to go from there? We don't want to hurry or feel pressed for time and none of us are very keen on big cities. A rural setting with nice pubs, villages and museums seems to be the thing for us. We'll probably make our own entertainment, since most of us are jazz musicians and/or singers.

How about this one? http://www.toplicht.de/en/shop/schaekel-fender-ausruestung-und-zubehoer/steuerrad-ruder/steuerrad-zubehoer/steuermann-klappsitz

How about a combination of a smoke alarm, a CO2-alarm and an automatic fire suppressing system? There are smaller versions of sprinkler systems with either a pressurized vessel containing the extinguishing agent, or a electrical high pressure pump providing water for the system. I don't think they are very expensive and might give a reduction in insurance costs. As I understand it, these systems are widely used in homes in Norway (mandatory?) and nobody dies from domestic fires there anymore... There are also portable extinguisher systems that react to open flames. Cheap and cheerful and might save the day...

These two won't empty your bilge completely but when it comes to capacity, nothing can touch them... http://fastflowpump.com/Emergency_Bilge_Pump.html http://www.aes.net.nz/ESP.HTMl

These two won't empty your bilge completely but when it comes to capacity, nothing can touch them... http://fastflowpump.com/Emergency_Bilge_Pump.html http://www.aes.net.nz/ESP.HTMl

How about rinsing the flush tank with vinegar (or even mould remover) once in a while?

I've never actually tried biological washing liquid, but most other products, and a couple of them do work but, as I said, they cost a lot of money in the long run. I also don't want to fill up precious space in the tank with watered down solutions. Shit stinks. Hence, probably, the expression "smells like shit". Calcium nitrate is probably the cheapest way to deal with that fact. An old t-shirt might do the trick for some people, but the idea of having litres of refuse sloshing around in the boat in an open container, very close to both the dining area and the sleeping area simply isn't a good idea in my book...

Svenskt kaffe får man väl via Internet, precis som mat och pittpumpar? Isn't it possible to buy swedish coffee through the net?

Yep, just calcium nitrate and nothing else. Calcium nitrate doesn't have a very long lasting effect compared to enzyme based products, but it doesn't matter. If you check the dosage recommendations on the commercial products, they say you should add more every whatever day. Thatäs easily done with this stuff, just throw in a handful more, it really doesn't cost anything... The product I used is a common fertilizer in granule form. I bought a 25 kg bag of the stuff at the local shop for farmers. Here, they call it "kalksalpeter" or "Norwegian saltpeter". Wikipedia knows more. Hell, no! I just discovered Indian cuisine ...