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Showing content with the highest reputation on 04/10/16 in all areas

  1. Any minute now, someone is going to prove CONCLUSIVELY that CRT cannot legally impose any penalties whatsoever on anyone for any possible infringement of mooring contracts, licence conditions, terms and conditions, trading violations, Insurance, safety cert or anything else anyone using the system has ever signed up for. What's more, they will be PROVED to be legally unable to charge for long or short term mooring rights, use of their water (which it will also be proved belongs to someone else) or any other services they claim to provide. In the meantime, they will be obliged by statute to maintain all locks and bridges, dredge to to the original depth, keep the towpath clear, support vulnerable people (imostly self-defined as such), provide water points, elsan and pump-out facilities, refuse removal and remove fallen trees and sunken boats without delay. All this will be paid for by the one person who, out of the sheer goodness of his/her heart, buys a licence, CRT mooring and a permit.
    10 points
  2. Yes I am, but there are no actions CRT can take which won't be declared 'illegal' by the CRT haters.
    5 points
  3. 'Josher' fore end is too much form and not enough function, not to mention heavy and old fashioned. Nobody can deny that the G.U.C.C.Co. Ltd. narrow boats were the Rolls Royce of narrow boats when built - and still are now
    3 points
  4. A somewhat emotive over-reaction Arthur, however resonant with general opinion and informed by laudable concern for the future of our waterways? My own criticisms generally, are based on CaRT’s failure to apply timely and appropriate sanctions when necessary. That failure, whether as a matter of policy, negligence, or indifference, sometimes leads to a point where patience is exhausted and retaliatory measures are disproportionately applied – as much, it sometimes seems, from frustration and vindictiveness, as “pour l’encouragement les autres”. It may surprise some, but I am actually in visceral agreement with CaRT’s actions in this respect; my atavistic self reacts in precisely the same way. I regard myself as the epitome of casual, laid-back generosity and tolerance, but if I get a whiff of the proverbial two-fingered salute, I can instantly get very savage indeed. The problem is, that in societies that allow for the physical expression of such emotions, communal living can be somewhat uncomfortable. In this country we enjoy the benefits of many centuries of developed societal disciplines, that in most become so subliminal a component of our thinking that we can forget they are just that – inculcated precepts, that look beyond immediate feral reactions, to the better oiled machinery of civilised society. These are enshrined within legislation for the avoidance of all doubt as to appropriate conduct where contention arises. We are all [or most of us] human, but for practical reasons as much as anything else, we need to be vigilant over keeping things – whether personal or business – on a calm rational law-abiding basis. It is bad enough when that breaks down in individuals, when it breaks down in national institutions it is so much worse. There are things CaRT can charge for, and things they cannot; there are conditions they can impose, and others they cannot; there are penalties they can have imposed - and jolly well ought to - and penalties they are prohibited from applying. As to obligations under statute – they are in the ‘happy’ [?!] situation of having all such obligations effectively neutered; they need spend nothing on maintenance and provision of services that they feel is better spent elsewhere. As to the money they receive from their direct clientele as distinct from public volunteering and involuntary taxes – I remain the "one person" I know of [there must of course be others?] who has voluntarily paid the boat licence fees of boats I did not even own, for years on end – even though knowing full well that we did not need to do so - while knowing also, moreover, that those thousands per year were helping to fund the authority’s level best efforts to throw me and those boats off ‘their’ waterways. That tempers my sympathies for the poor beleaguered authority somewhat. Even so, I like to believe that I have retained a measured and balanced over-view of the waterways administration and what it needs. I would maintain that my criticisms are as valid as my support [where applicable]. CaRT will gain greater support from individuals and society in general, the more it demonstrates that their practical administration of the waterways is firm but fair, and above all as law-abiding as they wish their clientele to be.
    3 points
  5. Kathy and I did the Leicester Ring with a detour to Lincoln in 12 days, blessed with wonderful weather and lots of highlights. The best bit was probably the early start back up the Trent from Torksey - we were last ones locked down at dusk on Monday and had to moor against the dredging barge as the pontoons were doublemoored full. Tide was supposed to come past between 5.30 and 6 so as soon as the water started to rise, we set off.
    2 points
  6. Be very very careful with the fire. Neighbour's boat burned out last night due to an overheating solid fuel stove, possibly badly fitted, which went up while they were out. Who knows exactly what happened. But the boat is trashed, the dogs were luckily rescued by fire brigade, and neighbours are now homeless and looking at a scrap boat. Paranoia is useful where fire-type stuff is involved
    2 points
  7. I am not suggesting that life as aliveaboard should be like living in a cave and 'roughing it', but one also needs to face facts that a boat is not a 'floating flat' - unless it is a 'houseboat' permanently connected to the utilities.
    2 points
  8. This was our neighbour's home last night in town. The charred and waterlogged (due to fire brigade dousing) wreck is currently being pumped out and excavated back on the moorings - they have lost the lot. http://www.birminghamupdates.com/two-dogs-rescued-from-a-barge-fire-near-the-icc-in-the-city-centre/ Luckily a.) dogs and they are safe and b.) the shell seems sound as the fire was dealt with quickly. People are rallying round to help. But it is very very scary to see first hand what can happen. Presumed cause was the solid fuel stove that overheated and set light to the back board, which wasn't fire board. This is very very common - just because a fire surround has pretty tiles, it does not mean it is safely constructed. Behind those tiles can scorch. As we enter the season of nice toasty fires, please do service and check appliances, and check the smoke and CO alarms too.
    1 point
  9. Wish I listened to all the members who I asked, begged and pleaded for advice ( they may have said 'No' and 'Haggle' but....I'm a idiot) Wish I took boating lessons, wish I knew how to fix things (I do have a pretty tool set). Apparently hitting things repeatedly with a hammer isn't a good thing! Stupid Rose Tinted Glasses
    1 point
  10. When I have done this on other stoves I have ususlly ground off the head of the bolt and removed the clip. Ground off the remains drilled and tapped right through and replaced bolt with one put in from the front with a nut on the back to hold the clip on
    1 point
  11. Chances are they will snap. I would leave the snapped off bit where it is and drill a new hole all the way through, then use a nut and bolt to secure the clip. next time you need to get the bolts out just grind/file/bash the head off and use a fresh bolt.
    1 point
  12. I am not so sure that 'after sales service' is a good thing. A new widebeam moored very close to us (not an Aintree boat) has had at least 4 visits with 3 people each time (it may be more if they have come when we have not been there) to resolve 'manufacturing problems' - I asked them if this level of 'after sales service' was normal, to which they replied "no, its normally much worse than this, this boat was built especially for the boat show and manufacturing took extra care with it". After sales service should not really be needed.
    1 point
  13. David Blagrove, no less, in The Quiet Waters By, says that the Woolwich design (sorry Alan) has never been surpassed!
    1 point
  14. This post cannot be displayed because it is in a forum which requires at least 10 posts to view.
  15. If you can't see the difference, then I'm afraid I can't help you.
    1 point
  16. If I could give you a bucketful of greenies, I would. Probably the best post I've ever read on this forum and totally nails the issue. Your position and thought-process reflects mine.
    1 point
  17. Mr Peterboat did mention I have to sort my locks out on the boat so I can exit either through the front or back. I've just been slapping padlocks on the back door and ignoring the risks (I can hear you tutting at the back) Moving out of Skipton next week Thursday. Time to put my big girl pants on and bite the centre line of adventure (Just like QCat does) Would be sooner but I want Pennine boats to give me a quick check up and fit the solar panels on, plus fuel and gas and bits. I'm going to finish the flooring and painting (inside the boat) this week and get in my supply's so I can go slowly up the canal (I have sooo much cat and dog food I could open a shop). Haven't had to do a handwAsh yet as laundrette is close by (I want a washing machine) I have a feeling I will need to replace all my batteries as they never get to 100% and I only use one light at a time. Haven't slept in the bedroom as the pup still needs to powder her nose through the night so the cats are still enjoying that room. I can honestly say without this forum that I wouldn't have lasted three days with the boat when I moved into it last month. The magazines don't mention the horror of moving into a infested boat and having to deal with not only your own items but the previous persons junk, spiders, no heating and a whole host of problems Less stressed out about going out into the unknown and I am less frightened of the boat thanks to Nightwatch and Mr Peterboat. Still going to put on my life jacket when no one is around though. Still think my voice has got deeper since I learned about the secrets of locks
    1 point
  18. Alternatively - if C&RT just concentrated on doing what they should do & took actions that were 'within the law', the huge amount of money they saved in legal costs would mean that they could actually maintain the system as you describe. I believe that a couple of years ago their backlog of repairs was running at £117 million and increasing.
    1 point
  19. This post cannot be displayed because it is in a forum which requires at least 10 posts to view.
  20. When dealing with companies that, lets say are not the most trustworthy, I would always post 1st class and get a free proof of purchase. The interpretation act 1978 will deem it delivered unless they can prove otherwise. proving a negative is quite difficult. it can be deemed delivered 2 days later. The problem with signed for is they can refuse to sign for it especially if it may be a summons or a threat of court etc.
    1 point
  21. How thoughtful of the local council to provide a bench so that people could sit and admire the boat.
    1 point
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