Galoka

If he stays on the Anglian waterways, then that's no issue. Plenty of places on the G Ouse as well as Foxes on the Middle Level to get blacking and maintenance done We have a non-liveaboard narrowboat on the Great Ouse, but if I was getting a boat just to mostly live on on a permanent mooring I'd probably get a 9-10ft beam boat, a nice amount of extra space, and if you want to cruise it, a good size to cruise on the G Ouse. and if you don't cruise at least occasioanlly, you are missing out. It's a lovely river

Missing: There is an EA waterpoint, elsan and pumpout in Ely on the Great Ouse W3W: ///shredding.backswing.desire

Yep. We bought a NB last year, it is insured it with GJW on thier standard policy, No where was how much we paid for the boat mentioned. I was just asked to supply a value I wish the boat to be insured for, and the policy just says they will payout up to that value (which is basically what we paid for it at th emoment) Clealry I could say anything, but in the event of a large claim I expect them to make an assesment of the current market value of the boat

Prestone just use standard Mono ethylene glycol as the antifreeze component. The ready to use stuff is a equivalent 50:50 mix. To make a 25%/75% mix as recommended by Webasto, dilute the ready to use stuff 50:50 (so dilute 1litre of ready to use with 1 litre of water)

Yep, it always was a short sighted policy. They are looking to reopen it now though https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/07/21/britains-biggest-gas-storage-site-course-reopen-autumn-race/

As a map addict I end up with multiples. my Favourite maps in terms of showing what’s where are the waterways routes ones. the pdf versions on iPad and old Android tablet (as well as laptops etc) I also print them out and pop in a folder. I find the maps in the Nicholson’s guides not so easy to read, eye site not so good especially in poorer light and the blue text is harder to read. But I like how they are overlaid onto OS maps i like the Heron maps as you get the route on a fold out map , so you get a good overview. But I find the symbols fit lots of things small and unclear Less useful if looking at whilst at the helm though. if you want an overview of the network, the online CRT map is fine. And there are paper ones from Heron, Nicholson’s and Imray (among others) In find Open Canal Map ok, but lacks things like a search, the display can be clutttered and unclear

Thanks Captain Birdseye, we were thinking of maybe going there. However things haven't gone to plan so far today. Wife and daughters were in a car accident last night. (tyre blowout it seems at 70mph, spun off the road, car is a write off, as the side smashed into a tree or post of something, the cill is bent in about a foot). They are ok, some whiplash, some bruises, various musclo-skeletal aches and sprains. (in the context of what it might have been, they are lucky, thinking of what might have been in rather scary)). They got back from A&E a couple of hours ago, and we all need a bit of kip first before we drive up. Middlewich Narrowboats have said if we arrive too late to go out someone will be there to get us on the boat and we can stay overnight on the base and head off in the morning. So, a change of plan might be in order. Doing the Cheshire Locks up to Hardcastle tomorrow might not be a good plan with half the crew a bit out of action. Maybe head up the Shropshire Union towards Barbridge (5 locks in 10 miles) and see how we go. Dunno. Gonna have some breakfast, load up the car ready to go, then have a bit of kip

Surreptitiously removes outfit from suitcase........ Doesn't that mean I can't get the kids to walk the plank when they misbehave? Isn't that what that board I see on the roof of boats is for?

That's the sensible option. a 30 minute walk becomes a 10 minute or so cycle. A folding bike is handy for commuting and could be easily stashed on the boat. Maybe useful then when crusing

Photochromic lenses :-) Actually, I have a nice pair of prescription polarising sunglasses that are good for driving, would be good for the boat, but they seem to ahve gone AWOL over the winter :-( The 16 yo has already done the too much drink makes you ill thing :-) She has the odd drink with us though. 12yo isn't impressed with it though no

It'sa good point. We aren't actually big drinkers and wouldn't be drinking whilst cruising. I like to sit back and relax and enjoy it. Though I suppose the chance of a lucntime pub pint is more likely better keep an eye on the 16 and 12 yo though :-)

4, so quite low for that size hire boat (more sitting around space etc.) should ahve got one with bunks for extra beer storage space.

so what's the maximum beer carrying capacity of a 65ft narrowboat? Just in case.

I have made a list of 24 hr super markets near the canal. Though a bit concern about the risks of beer shortages going up the Caldon