PatM293

Waterworld was a Nice programme to watch,but as you say 'painted with rose coloured spectacles'. Yes, it has brought a lot of newbies to the canals, and I suspect that after the first bad winter, will send most of them scurrying back to terra firma. Not all the canalboat owners give that friendly wave and advice to us newbies, and some can be just downright rude and insolent when we approach 'Their Mooring Spot' along the towpath ? I've been told a few times that '' You have to move further on as this is my spot, been here X weeks now, didn't you see my log pile'' ? I moved on, only to be informed that I had every right to moor there by a BW staff member who also admitted that the boat should have been moved on weeks ago, but they could never get an answer when they went knocking. 'Bloody tourists you shouldn't be allowed in the water/on a boat' is another favourite greeting that I've become accustomed to hearing, this normally from the Shared Boater Old School Tie Brigade. Well a word of warning to them (I Have My Own Boat Now , I've moved on board, and all ready to set off). All thanks to you Real Ccrs and experienced boaters out there. I respect my fellow boaters, liveaboards etc, and though I may be inexperienced and a bit slow at getting through locks etc, I've worked hard to be able to achieve this,I moved onboard because I want to live the rest of my days on a boat,and not for financial gain, and so I deserve to be respected back. I cruise single handed, and I mean single, as I lost use of my R.arm 5 years ago, and would gladly help out anyone I see struggling,if I can. So to all you good guys out there 99.9% of you '' Hi, I hope you all have a great & prosperous year ahead.'' and to that .1% ''PRrrrrrpppp'' to you too.

Hi Mark, thanks for the info, I'll certainly be updating blog more often and have spent today catching up with yours and other favourites. Best wishes Pat.

Hi all, As a newbie who has just moved onboard, I want to record some of my journeys and have seen some very clever camera and mapping online. I have the following equipment with me and would like your advice on the best setup to achieve this. HD Xacti camera, Notebook laptop, Water-Ways map program which has Nichalson mapping, wifi dongle, and GPS. Is there anything else I need and what is the best way of setting up ? I have some computer knowledge. Thanks in anticipation Pat.

Hi all, well I've returned from my Sun,Sea,Sand & Ssss sipping horlick's with a good book, and as soon as my feet touched the hallowed ground I decided to stop making excuses and move onboard. As soon as the swimming shorts and holiday towels came out of the dryer I had packed my winter woolies and ( remembering my old mums advice) clean underwear, and made my way to the boat. Brrr was it cold, especially after the warm climate I'd left in the Dominican Republic, and, I've yet to have a multi fuel heater fitted, but, here I am, it's now 2 weeks, 2 days & 7.4 hrs later and I'm still on the boat and loving it. Okay I'm still moored at Stoke Prior and hooked up to 240 power, but I have been going through all my planned cruising list and stocking up with spares & supplies. Note to SWMBO - you gonna need a court order, 2 bailiffs and a can- opener to get me off of here now. Thanks again for all the advice, technical & otherwise from all the owners and readers on Canalworld and I'll see you out there. Pat.

Hi I am at present languishing in the the Domnican Republic and reading about the treacherous conditions you have been suffering. Thought I'd get my last holiday in before I make the big move on board my boat. Just want to thank you all for all the help and information you have given me.I will be moving onboard in the middle of Feb. Hope to see you all along the way. Till then, another Pina Colada por Favor.

Sorry Paul, wasn't getting at you, my fault for incorrect punctuation etc, still, it shouldn't happen in this day & age.

As a newbie I'm interested to know, Apart from the obvious Heater, phone, etc. What piece of kit could or would you never be without in this present climate ? What is it & why i'll be taking notes for my emergency/survival box. Also does anyone know of a Website where I could purchase a lockmaster windlass as this seems ideal for my present condition/disability, please. I did see someone on the Forum had made there own. Thanks again, Stay Safe & warm.

Mmm Know how you feel there,I haven't had chance to live on mine yetand it's a 350 something mile trip eachway. Can't wait till new season starts when i move aboard permanently.

Sorry it says 'Man was in water several days'think you should read again. I do understand that some boaters just want to be left alone, and would get upset if any busybody interrupted the peace & tranquility they'd found. Sign of the times I guess. The owner of the dogs! what happened to them ? Hospital,lost or just a case of cruelty & neglect ?

I've just been reading the Regrets topic,and agree that preperation is everything. The reason I'm stuck in the House is that my boat is still being converted and prepped for Long term use (ex hire )Even after reading the horror stories of surviving the harsh winters, I still believe that this is the life I want. I know that the boating community are a close knit crowd and willing to help each other out, so I was shocked to read these stories 'Boater Dies in Canal' & Dogs left to starve on board' on NarrowBoatWorld. A sad case indeed. Keep safe & warm out there, and look in on a neighbouring Boater. Best Wishes to you all.

This suggested topic isgreat for all us relative newbies and would be interested in his maps if he can find a way to save & publish

Mmmm. very nice, do you think she might sail away to Lesbia with me ? as I'm needin a crew.

Hi all & thanks again for all your replies,I was really badly injured in a motorbike accident 5 years ago suffered multiple breaks including neck & back. I've had 23 operations and I'm left with what is termed a Trauma Brachial Plexus injury to my right arm. Very common injury with motorcyclists.(Basically I have no use of my right arm) I've had muscle/tissue transplants and have recovered some movement though no power in it. I managed to work the locks at Tardebigge this year whilst SWMBO did all the steering.Yeah it was a struggle and I'm never gonna break any records, but I'm sure I will manage the basics. I especially love it when someone says I can't do something as it only makes me much more determined, If I'd listened to docs 5yrs ago I'd still be in a wheelchair. Also, I'm not of those whose too embarrassed to ask for assistance, I was at first and blamed the world for what happened. I have to undergo more surgeries and hopefully I will regain more strength/movement in time, but if its not to be, well I'll make do. There are people much worse off, and had to leave the cut,so I'm lucky in a way. I'm thinking about going from Stoke Prior (mooring) to the Llangollen via Shroppie as a first trip in March. Stay safe & warm, hope this weather isn't going to get much worse for you all. Best Wishes

I have been able enough to do all the above,and though difficult, I manage. The boat has a, (dare I say) pump-out on board, but will be replaced with portable.Thanks all for Chemist info, I'm sure I can persuad Doc to post prescriptions.

As a newbie narrowboat owner whose knowledge/experience of this craft consists of regular hireboating on Worcester/Birmingham canal area, and a couple of weeks on Avon Ring & Stourport Rings. I have decided to move onboard alone, as SWMBO has declined to move with me.She made a point of reminding me about my inadequacies healthwise etc and I'm now gettig the silent treatment! Anyway enough of that, when I purchased the boat I was told I could keep/moor her onsite and whenever I return from any trips just to return to that spot. There are previous purchasers there who have not moved since they bought 8 years ago ? I'm afraid that this style of life isn't for me,more constant cruising than constant mooring, i want to be out there in all weathers and conditions, exploring every available waterway for myself. So I won't be taking advantage of this generous offer, except in extreme emergencies. Where is the best place to start off from as a newbie? Suggested routes etc. Is there anything I should be aware/beware of ? One thing that was mentioned during our heated debate, as I am on some really powerful painkilling drugs (class A) i believe, is it possible to have repeat prescriptions delivered to nearby chemists ? (I'd be most appreciative of anyones personal experience on this). Which is the best areas to be in at the different times of year ? Best setup of internet equiptment, camera equiptment for recording my journey etc. At the moment,the boat is going through some adjustments ie having multifuel heating installed and other necessities, I have a few loose ends to tie up here before moving onboard, which hopefully will be early March 2011.Help and advice appreciated.

The Previous post was written some days ago before I found out how to use the blog. I sat here the other night (at home), staring out the window at the snow, it's -16 degrees out there, and my thoughts are with those out there on the cut. How are they coping ? God, I've so much to learn if I'm to be one of them next year. ''Can you imagine being out there on our boat right now'' I said to Brenda, -'' No bloody chance'' says she, as she turns the thermostat up a few degrees. Mrmm, not the right time to tell her that that's my intention then, eh ! ? She has me by the proverbial testiclaires, as they say, as she has had full control of my life and where I go, since my accident. She does all the driving to and fro, has been steering the hireboats whilst I did the locking, ( I have to rest the paralysed right arm after my last operation, to allow the transplanted muscle & tissue to grow). Damn, that driver, gone are the days when I could just jump on the motorbike, with tent on my back, and disappear for a few days. We celebrated our 7th anniversary last week, both of us had come out of a previous bad relationships, and been on our own for years. I'd swore blind never to go down that road again, but here I am. Apart from boats,we always had shared our interests, and she was a regular pillion passenger on my trips to the MCC rallies. Don't get me wrong she likes the boat, once I persuaded her to join me, but,she sees it as a holiday destination, escape, and not as I do, as a way of life. ''You love that boat more than you love me'' she just said, and I blush, she could be right ! Oh oh, I feel a guilt trip comin on. I almost feel that I'm having an affair, and I've just been caught out.I have already planned the 'new name trip' for next year, the route, places to see, things to do, features like the Pontcysyllte aquaduct,Anderton Boat lift etc. etc. Just to say 'I've done that'. So, we need to talk, and as the time draws nearer to the new season, I have to decide if I could go it alone, theres plenty out there who've done it, and I'm sure if I get stuck, then I could always ask help from the many people I've met out there, and those I've yet to meet. Will she,..? won't she... ? We'll see. Watch this space.

There's nothing more life changing than when you have your life, (as it was) taken from you. Lost my job,as I couldn't protect myself,was never to ride my bike to a motorbike rally, and my right arm, (which I used for everything) hangs uselessly at my side. But hey, 'I'm lucky to be alive' they told me. My wife, of 2 years at that time,'Brenda' gave up her career to look after me, as I needed 24 hr care at the time. After 23 operations to date,I'm back on my feet, though my arm still has very limited use,and severe muscle wastage. We purchased a few static caravans in a holiday park in Scotland, to supplement our income. This is doing well, but I remembered my holidays afloat, and decided that I wanted to fulfill my childhood dreams of owning and living on my own boat. I did all the usual searches, magazines,brokers etc, but the ONE eluded me. Brenda wasn't keen on the idea of boats, due to an incident in a boating pond when she was a child, but I was determined even to the point of discussing seperation/divorce. Eventually I persuaded her to join me on a hire boat and she could make her decision from there. She loved it, and on our return we discussed the possibility of purchasing one of these boats from Black Prince. John Lucas at Stoke Prior took us round 'Barbara' a five year old cruiser stern, the usual checks/survey performed, a week on the cut , and a deal was struck. The boat was painted out of their stable colours and blacked, John said that we could moor her there, and that she would be handed over to us with a full intenary just like they would send her out on a hire, and that he'd look after me with paperwork etc. She still has 2 years to run on the existing BSC but John has booked a new one to be arranged for Feb 2011. I had an inverter,battery charger etc fitted in September and organised for a signwriter to design and paint her new name 'CABERFEIDH' on over the winter. A few changes are required, so that I can eventually live aboard her, so I've begged and pleaded throughout the Forums for info and tips required to do so. A multi fuel stove will have to be fitted as a priority though type & model is yet undecided, any recommendations?. I have just recently returned from an inspection visit, and was really surprised to see the amount of boats moored there. I've never seen it so full.Speaking with a few CCr's,there ( most of them have boats purchased from Black Prince's several bases) they reckon that its going to be a difficult winter. They all had a tale to tell, and welcomed me with tea n' bacon butties. I can't wait to join them. Even through the most difficult times I find myself really envying you all. The cameraderie, scenery, pubs and the glass of wine shared at the waters edge, This is the life for me. So whats my plans for next year ? well, most of the year will be spent cruising the many, yet to be discovered ( by me ) waters, that I've been reading about in the many blogs here. I will spend 3-10 weeks at a time on board, (mainly persuading Brenda that we need to be permanently there to experience the life). She hasn't realised that I plan to be permanently on the cut, and thinks that my purchase of the boat was just as a bolt hole we could escape to for a couple of weeks a year ???,and the purchase would satisfy my desires. Will she ever come round to my way of thinking ?...., I don't know,... will I give up on the idea ?.... NO WAY. This time next year, I will be onboard, living the dream. Well, thats the story so far, how will I do ?... Watch this space. To all you guys & girls out there on the cut, my best wishes go out to you. Be safe, take care and I'll see you out there next year. p.s. I'd like to hear from anyone who has been holidaying on Barbara as I'd like to know more of her history. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I will add to it as and when things happen.

Having just returned from a treacherous journey from Scotland to Stoke Prior to inspect work on, & visit to my boat. I would just like to applaud all you Ccr's, liveaboards out there on the waters at this most difficult time. A very special mention goes out to all Service & delivery working Boats, who brave moving about in all conditions to deliver essentials to us. you're all hereos in my book. Keep Safe & Warm guys.

As an avid reader/member of the Forum I'd gladly pay to ensure the site remains. Isn't there a donation link somewhere ? I was sure I spied one? Then again possibly it was on a blog. Just let me know where and when.

Err, check for gas leak these school (fish) kids sniff anything these days.

Hi, and thank you for this info, as a newbie I was worried, I knew that electricity and water along with metal caused corrossion but never understood the hows & whys. Galvanic Isolator has been fitted,Boat is 5 year old ex hire and hopefully I will be a liveaboard by this time next year. Was always a dream of mine to do this & now it is convincing my Mrs. to join me (Or not ). She hated boats & everything to do with water since a childhood incident (fell into pool n had to walk home naked ? ...she was only 4)ha ha. Anyway now she has been doing most of the steering of boat due to my accident, and really keen. Due to surgery & muscle, tissue transplants I am regaining movement, so by next March I should be capable again. My plan is to spend as much time as possible onboard and learn from those out there what changes etc I need to fulfill my dream. So be prepared for me picking your brains. Thank you & good luck to all you lucky people out on the cut. Pat