The BW reply

I got frustrated with BW a few weeks ago after they phoned and asked me to move my boat again so another boat could squeeze into the Hunts moorings.

I was doubly frustrated when I said I wanted to think about the request and then my boat was moved. It transpired that the reason why the other boat was put onto my mooring was due to a mess up with the BW mooring system.

I raised a FOI request for information on mooring reduction policy by BW as at Hunts despite the largest marina in the country being less than 15 miles away we were still getting boats squeezed in.

The reply is below - make of it what you will. I have blanked out the ladies name of the boat who came to be my neighbour. I have no problem with this lady - she is very nice and after all is a boater who has not been treated very well by BW.

My thinking is that BW do not care too much for boaters. In fact I'm sure they would rather the canals all be like the Cromford canal - can fish, can walk, can cycle - all minimum costs to maintain but those dam boaters that mean BW have to maintain the workings of the canal - we are the problem.

I do however respect BW for their procedures and the fact they followed up the complaint - top marks to them for that.

I do not agree I said I would move my boat. I phoned Sandie and left her a message on her voice mail to the effect I wanted more time to consider the request.

The reply....

Dear Mr Wells

Further to our telephone conversation last week, I have now received the information I needed from Sandie to formally respond to your complaint. I appreciate and thank you for your understanding on the phone.

I think you have two concerns: (1) that your boat was moved without your consent within the site at Fradley and (2) that you have questions about the implementation of our online mooring reduction policy.

(1) The boat move: here is Sandie’s account of what happened:

“Back in November, before the reorganisational changes were in full effect, our previous local officer advertised a vacancy for auction at the Fradley linear site. The details uploaded on the website were a straight copy from a previous one at the site. This was an error because the berth available was at a completely different part of the site and none of the wording in the advertisement applied. Unaware of this, the successful bidder completed the paperwork, paid for the berth and when I met her at the site for the Meet and Greet was extremely unhappy.

I therefore spent much time and effort trying to sort a suitable alternative. We agreed that the craft would moor temporarily on the visitor moorings at the site. The first option offered sadly was too shallow and the craft could not get on to the mooring. The second option was acceptable but three craft at the alternative site would have to close up slightly (approximately 6 feet) for ******** boat to get in.

Becky contacted all the moorers to explain. Mr Wells was not happy at having to move the 6 feet required so I phoned him myself to explain to situation. He was still not happy but agreed to move his craft that very weekend.

I explained to ***** what was happening and then I went on annual leave.

When ****** returned to the site after a week being in Dry Dock, only one craft had moved. Mr Wells craft and another had remained in their original positions.

******* by this time (3 months on) moved the 2 craft herself. I have since spoken to ****** and told her she shouldn’t have moved them but understood she was extremely frustrated at the time. Mr Wells then made the complaint that his craft had been moved.”

The relevant clause in your mooring agreement is as follows:

This Agreement allows you to moor the Boat at the Mooring
Site. It does not give you the right to a particular Mooring or
berth. Where a berth or particular Mooring is specified, you
nevertheless agree we may ask you to move the Boat or give
us authority to move it a reasonable distance to ensure best
use of the water space available at the Mooring Site.

Technically, it appears we were at fault in not closing the final details of the move of you boat by the small distance to make space for ******** boat so that ********** took matters into her own hands. I apologise for this oversight on our part.

2. Implementation of our online mooring policy: I hope this response will also answer your FOI request.

Details of the online policy are published at www.britishwaterways.co.uk/onlinemooringpol and our latest half yearly report is listed for download at http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/marinadevelopment/downloads/index.php I believe however that you might already be aware of this material.

I think you are raising more practical questions of how we actually make the decisions on which berths to close, so I’m pasting below the decision criteria that we ask our local manager to use to reach their conclusions. Applying the scoring is obviously a balance of judgment, and whilst I believe in general that we’re getting it about right, that doesn’t mean there’s not room for improvement. I’ve recently developed a computer based model to help our local managers which is just about to go into testing phase.

I hope that this response is helpful and satisfactory, but if you would like the matter to be investigated further under our formal complaints procedure (see http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/listening-to-you/if-you-have-a-complaint) please register this request with Sarina (her address below).

With kind regards

Sally Ash
Head of Boating
01923 201229 / 07710 175448
www.britishwaterways.co.uk
www.waterscape.com
64 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1DA
Boaters: stay in touch by registering for our monthly updates at www.waterscape.com/boatersupdate

Stripped back

Justin sent me these pics today of a very stripped boat.

When we bought Waterlily nearly three years ago a repaint was factored in to the price and put on the wish list. Justin and his team are bringing this wish true !

My new neighbour(ish)

I have been remiss in not putting Sara NB Warrior on my blog roll under her new passion Chertsey. I only picked up her blog from Halfies and read she (Chertsey) has taken a mooring at Kings Bromley wharf.

I blogged about our perfect mooring last month here... but I should have put in these photo's that I also took while out walking.



This one s looking back to the wharf with the marina behind me.

Waterlily is floating no more

She is now in the dry dock waiting for the pressure sprayer to strip the paintwork back.

I called over to discuss the side doors and hinges that were fubar'd and took the opportunity to take some photos of her out of the water.

It's the first time I have been able to inspect the whole boat.... when she was out for her survey I was told the wrong time and arrived just as she was going back in. Swan line also did not give me the right info on when they were blacking her last time (seems they did a good job as far as I can tell) So this was the first time I was able to get a close up at the skeg and rudder blade etc. I was very happy with what I saw.

Some pics of her for the last time in this colour scheme.... Ralph Freeman commented a couple of times on what a good colour she was, same as Grey Nomad. I think the name of his boat gives his preference away.

Vandalism ... and we accept it?

I subscribe to BW's emergency stoppage alerts. This is useful to see what parts of the system are blocked for whatever reason.

I have just received the alert below....

Stoke Bottom Lock 36 - Trentham Lock 35

Friday 26 March 2010 - Monday 29 March 2010

Expected to be three days. BW staff are working hard to divert water resources to recharge the pound and navigation will resume as soon as levels recover sufficiently.
Loss of water to the five mile pound due to suspected vandalism at Trentham Lock.
British Waterways apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Winding above Top Lock 40 at Etruria or below Bridge 104 Old Road Bridge, North Barlaston.

Enquiries: 01827 252000

Good information - a little late.

This is a very busy pound and a very large one to have been drained by vandals. I expect there is a bit of a queue outside the Wedgewood factory and within the Stoke locks.

The point of the post is that it's vandalism again. It's almost a description like the weather - nothing we can do about it. Well I think there is.

This sort of mindless damage causes a great deal of despair and frustration. Not to mention disruption, in this case to boaters. I really think this is a nasty action against the society that surrounds the perpetrators. Its a local crime that affects local people.

So what better way to spend a Sunday than to see such imbeciles getting a beating in the local market place - then to be put onto public display as someone who care little about you and your property or your community. Then they get carted off in dayglo orange jumpsuits with their names on them to put right the damage they have done.

I'm not interested in their rights - they loose them when they offend against their community.

I really hate vandalism !!

Nev

Sally Ash calls.....

BW's head of boating called me on Tuesday (I have a few posts lined up this week) regarding my complaint about linear moorings at Fradley, lack of consultation on moving my boat, and the BW policy of linear mooring removal.

I am impressed that she followed this complaint/rant up. I confess I am uncomfortable with making work for people like Sally as I know only too well the frustrations such extra workload brings. We agreed that I would get a response but I was happy for it to be a low priority as my new neighbour has moved in and she is a nice person and deserving of a nice mooring (even if it is part mine !)

So BW are back on the way up on my estimation - just those talking posts and lack of focus on boaters as a priority as prime users of the waterways.

Nev

Naked......

And you still clicked the link..... !!

Waterlily is in the dry dock next week. Justin from Aqua Narrowboats - the link is to their blog which should please Andrew Denny from Granny Buttons did some paint thickness tests and found she has thick paint as she has been well coated from maroon to grey he decided to get in a shot blaster to take her right back to steel.



This is how she looked on her last cruise ...



And this is how she looks now - all defrocked ready to be stripped back and given her new coat.



Hasn't she got a dumpy front end.... we did consider a stretch like Caxton had but she just does not have the bow to make it look good as well as the fact she comes in on the cabin as part of the foredeck. Never mind, we quite like the quirky look.

Hopefully next week I'll have some pics of her in the doc stripped bare !!

One thing Justin at Aqua has been great in putting up with our dithering, he has also given us access to the gate so we can pop in and get some pics for the blog.

Take care

Nev

Marina moorings a 1 hour test....

We have dropped Waterlily off at Aqua narrow boats and called back after Justin asked us to remove as much of the personal stuff as possible as it might get a bit dusty....

We were moored on the visitor moorings with a boat either side and it was horrible.... I'm sure we would get used to it but the only view would have been off the front of the boat. It certainly make us realise how lucky we are to have such a great mooring at Fradley. We have open fields views both sides and plenty of reverse gongoozling of both boats and people out for walks and those that may do a bit of Geocaching nearby us.... ;-)

Take care

Nev

Fradley Junction is greatly improved

What great news - Ownerships have in fact taken over Swan line cruises - Ralph Freeman tells the story on NBW here

I blogged about it a little while ago here but was not expecting such a change. Reading Ralphs piece it suggests Ownerships will be making quite a difference. The pub is joining in too with a laundry next door. Fradley Junction has just gone up a few notches on the facilities scale - in fact I think it must now offer some of the best services on the cut?

I have said before I want to support my local boat yard - after being charged 20 quid for a pump out I took all my custom elsewhere. I think I'll keep a watching brief on the performance of the yard and they may get my business back if the Ownerships brand and quality of service are delivered.


Nev

Best type of BW talking point.....

Chris on NB Belle has blogged again about the outstanding(sic) jobs BW are responsible for. I found this latest post particularly interesting and ironic...

Just about every time I have watered up at the now taped off water point outside the Fradley visitor centre I have spoken to the visitors and answered their questions about many things to do with the canals and my boat. I'm sure I am not alone. So why oh why have BW put in a talking post..... are they really trying to wind up boaters till they snap. No repair on the real live talking point.... the watering area but an expensive install and no doubt maintenance loaded talking post.

I might ask it to tell me when the water point will be brought back into action....??

Nev

PS Chris keep up the good work.

Colours chosen - your comments please before we commit

OK, after much discussion we have decided to go for something based on this combination....


We have some questions regarding the roof....

1. Cream as per the coach lines
2. Green as per the side panels
3. Follow the red off the hand rails over the roof.

At present I prefer 2. There is an issue of reflecting heat but as we use the boat all year there may be times we want to collect the heat?

One other question is green on the gunwales or black. I prefer black as it will touch up easier and keep a tidier look.

Any other comments?

Nev

14 minutes or 8 hours....

To get from Fradley to Willington. Waterlily is now sitting at Aqua Narrow boats for her repaint. We moved her yesterday, it took us 14 minutes to get from Willington to Fradley by car. It then took us just short of 8 hours to get from Fradley to Willington by boat.

I know which trip I preferred.

This is the last photo of Waterlily on her home moorings in her old colours


It was a misty morning when we arrived for an early start



This is looking back at the Hunts lock mooring as we approached common lock.


The sun was out by the time we got to Alrewas lock



The Trent was very kind to us. We had the anchor out just in case as we always do when we cross this bit of River. We had carried a few worries that our trip to Willington would be blocked by a flooding Trent when we booked the paint job autumn last year !



This was a sad sight as Barton turns lock. No doubt someone had removed this fine Pike to protect the silver fish stocks. I do not agree with removing such predatory fish... I remember the fox and the hares story when I was at school.

My boot is there to show the size of the fish.

Interestingly we met an angler at the bottom of the lock (not saying he was guilty) We exchanged a few words about what he had caught. Surprisingly he commented it was just nice to get some peace and quiet. As he was about 10 yards from a very noisy A38 I had to presume he was talking about his wife !!



This was at Dallows lock in Burton. Such a shame some idiot had defaced such a fine statement of what Burton is all about.



We were photographing boats as we went along to get inspiration for the paint job.....We still have not decided/agreed.....



A perfect cruise that we will have to hang on to for about a month while Waterlily gets her new colours - whatever they will be !!

Nev

AArgghh missed it !!

One of our favorite cruising routes is between our moorings at Fradley and Stone. Indeed Stone is still one of the places along with Alrewas, Willington and Burston we would like to retire to. Andrew on Ganny Buttons has not quite retired to Willington but he sings the villages praises here and I can see why

For the last couple of years we have cruised passed a small lock side cottage at Sandon lock. Every time it has looked deserted. I took the trouble to ask our property agents to see if they could find who owns it so I could make some enquiries. They came back with a request for more information.

Last weekend I took the bike over to get a photo to help identify it and to my excitement then horror I first saw a for sale board then realised it was a converted to sold for sale board. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was.

I phoned the agents up there and then and they said it was on for offers around 95k and went for between 110 and 1120k It needs plenty of work but when done it will be a beautiful house at a fine location. Buggerations , why was I not more proactive and why did I not use common sense and try BW myself.... aargghhhh

So my best hope is that someone has brought it as a development opportunity. So next time I am out that way I will drop a note or call and leave my details - on the off chance.

Help needed on the colour of our boat

Waterlily is booked in for a complete paint job on the 22nd March. Only problem is we don't know what colours to have her done in. She is not the easiest on the eye so we have to account for that in her new colours. I like Jim's paint job on Starcross but Rachel is not so keen.

Any suggestions or pics of boats that have a colour scheme you think would work??

Nev

Boaters update

I'm sorry I seem to be in a BW bashing stage of boat ownership, but the latest Boaters update from BW here has a lovely picture of a family of cyclists.....they don't pay just short of 2 grand to use the waterways like I do !!!!!!

I think this is a real statement from BW - the canals were built for boats so in my humble opinion boaters should get priority for all things BW do - end of!

Nev

Just thought of another very local example of everything else before boaters.... Chris from NB Belle recently blogged about BW spending money and prioritizing road markings before repairing a very much used water point on one of the busiest parts of the canal....

Not quite the cut....

This is part of my daily early morning walk with Leia. The water at the bottom of the hill is the river Derwent just after it has passed Darley Abbey mills and on its way past the silk mill in Derby.

The light at this time of year is very welcome, I'm sure our bodies react to it the same way as all the other animals - we know summer and all good things are on the way!

It's the best park in Derby in my opinion. But I'd still rather be on the canal.

Snap - or should that be split...?

I blogged about the impact the harsh winter had had on Waterlily here....

This is the damage I repaired, well one bit that got the frost treatment.



It seems we were not the only ones to have that dreaded running water sound accompanied by a busy water pump. Jim on Starcross suffered even though he drained down his system. I'm worried now after this latest cold snap we will find another split when we next return to Waterlily.

The solution is to live aboard when it gets really cold... and maybe have an excuse as to why I can't get to work !!

From Jims Starcross blog.....

My Freedom of Information request

I wanted info from BW on their policy on linear moorings and how many have been lost on the T&M canal. I found this resource and have used it to ask for the information.

See my request here

I think this is a useful site to allow FOI requests to be made. I should have a full response by the 23rd March..... watch this space.

Nev

Support for BW....

After my last ranting post its a surprising title..?

It is to highlight a new blog from Chris on NB Belle.

Chris is planning to offer his services as a third party (free) surveyor or I suppose more likely a banksman or linesman - not sure of the official name but someone BW used to employ to walk the bank spot problems and be responsible for their stretch of water.

Hopefully we can all follow Chris's lead and maybe down the line BW will put up on its web pages a form where photo's plus GPS co-ordinates can be posted to report work needing doing. It can only help BW surely?

Nev

BW - and linear moorings

BW - and linear moorings

I got a call from the BW moorings officer last week. She wanted me to move my boat so another boat can squeeze in to the linear moorings I am on. There is space between us and the boats each side but it will be a tight fit to get another boat it.

There is a story to this request that I'll hold fire on for a while........ see below

Anyhow this is the second time in the last six months I have been asked to move my boat so another boat can get in.

I started writing this post a few days ago and left it in draft form. I have since been in touch with Tom the editor of Narrowboatworld and also put in a freedom of information request to find out about BW's policy on linear moorings and their reductions based on the generation of massive boat parks, marina's, BW piggy banks call them what you want.

Anyhow the email below went off today as I'd not heard anything from the moorings officer; before I got a reply, Chris who moors near Waterlily phoned to tell me someone had moved my boat...!!!! I am not sure if it is BW or the owner of the boat who 'did not win' a Hunts lock mooring - see below. Its a real mess, I can't help thinking it is indicative of a company now so distanced from boaters. If BW have any reference to its historical links then boaters should be the centrepiece of its strategy and corporate responsibility. Instead it feels like we are just a large inconvenience that means we can be treated with disrespect.

I'll visit my lifestyle investment tomorrow to see what the impact is. I want to swear so I shall just type in white..... BW are a bunch of b*****s who don't give a s**t about boaters

Nev




Further to you phone call last week I have considered the request to move my boat Waterlily at Hunts lock but have some concerns. I did leave a message on your voice mail on Friday 19th February. As I have not received a call back I thought it appropriate to write to you to express my concerns and frustrations relating to your request.

I have asked for information regarding the linier mooring reduction policy BW have developed. I did this with the help of Tom Crossley the editor at narrowboatworld.com and also via a Freedom of information request.

I should detail the reason why I feel the moorings at Fradley Junction are being impacted so, and the reason for my complaint;

https://www.bwmooringvacancies.com/search/vacancy_details.php?type=ended&id=1219

My understanding is that this mooring was advertised incorrectly relating to the location – the location being already ‘won’ by NB Brunel earlier in the year. The solution, a mooring at Shadehouse (this is a mooring that should have been removed as part of the BW 10-1 reduction in the report attached) which was not suitable because of silting. So I have been asked to move my boat again - I moved it after the last mooring tender for a Hunts lock mooring, despite the report stating that 6 moorings were to be lost under natural wastage for Hunts!

My frustration is that despite the report, moorings at Fradley and particularly Hunts lock are being grown not reduced as the report says. I understand BW cite the cost to support these moorings as being a reason for “exchanges’ in the sites for reduction. I understand this was the case for the last tender that should have been for Spode but was transferred to Hunts locks mooring instead. I cannot accept this as I see no cost efficiency by consolidating at Fradley, especially now the moorings officer is based in Newark. When we had the mooring officer based at Fradley I could accept this. See no other definable efficiencies by consolidating boats.

I am looking for BW’s commitment to hold the moorings at Hunts as they are and not put any new boats on there which would be in line with the report attached. In fact I would accept the reductions in the report based on natural wastage. What I cannot accept is the adhoc and confused nature of how our moorings are managed. It might seem a small issue to BW but our boat is a significant investment in money terms but also in quality of life. We pay a considerable amount for the privilege of mooring. We enjoy our mooring and have established the location and we feel we are part of the attraction of Fradley. We would like BW’s commitment not to move this boat onto our moorings and if necessary dredge the Shadehouse mooring which is not occupied to allow the tender mistake to be rectified without disturbing and inconveniencing us .

Sincerely,

Neville Wells
NB Waterlily
Hunts Lock, Fradley junction

Allen Matthews Ownership founder

I have read on the net that Allen Matthews has died.

Sad that two ownerships posts follow each other - one full of what I associate Ownerships with - an entrepreneurial and enthusiastic focus on the canals and the other so sad reporting the death of its founder.

We had a share in Sylph for a few years and it was the perfect stepping stone for us to full boat ownership. I always considered Allen fair in my communications with him and his company.

It is a sad day and as much as any death reminds us of our own mortality the fact Allen never retired to the waterways makes me hope he got his contentment from taking Ownerships to the business it is today.

I will think again of Allen when on my boat.

Nev

Ownerships and Fradley Junction

Last time I spoke with the owners of the boat yard at Fradley they told me they were maintaining quite a few Ownerships boats. I have just read on Ralph Freemans section of Narrowboat world that they (Ownerships) may be taking over the yard at Fradley. This is good news as we moor close to there, especially so as whilst the owners are friendly I am not 100% happy with them - especially after being charged 20 quid for a pump out last year !!

I would like to use my local yard as much as possible so I'll watch with interest the changes. It makes me wonder about the moorings there - If Ownerships do have it as a base I would expect a cheaper mooring rate for their boats so demand would be high on an already busy section. Some days it is one way traffic between Junction and Middle locks.

Fradley is a gongoozlers paradise. If was a bright but cold day when we came back from our Feb14 cruise (noticed the email address??) The visitors were out in full force - the car park was close to full - including the overspill car park.

Rachel in chatting form with the gongoozlers.

Marking the passing of time.....

It occurred to me I have seen the demise of a few blogs of boaters who have been cruisung and have given up and gone back to dry land..... it puts a mark in the timeline of my ownership of a canal boat and my interest in reading other boaters blogs.

It is a shame when a blogger gives up - for whatever reason. It seems to define the size of the canal network that someone can do it all then sell the boat and go off to do something else. I feel that canals are in my blood like motorbikes (I know that don't make good bed partners), I can't see how easy it wold be to walk away from the canals so to speak

It was reading a post by the owner of Marmaduke that got me thinking - especially of Snecklifter, who's blog and travels I was an avid follower of.

Nev

The wilds ....

So this is our weekend retreat. We have moored here a few times and like it as not many other boats moor here and we don't get too many walkers this far from Fradley or Armatige.

I took a lovely early morning walk with Leia and took the photo below. We are just about to move on back to our Hunts lock moorings.Waterlily will then be pointing the right way to go to Willington for her paint job at Aqua Narrowboats....

25th Wedding anniversary cruise part II

We are aboard now - a silver wedding cruise part II (part one being Egypt that I'll blog about later)

We came aboard on Thursday evening lit the fire and got cosy. We cruised to Alrewas on Friday and winded and came back up the fradley locks to the top of Shadehouse and got the last mooring - strange as there were no boats at all on the 48 hours moorings opposite the BW offices.

Our lads joined us on Friday night for a curry on board and a good time was had by all.

Today we moved on and I have just been in the engine ole to replace the alternator belt as it was squealing and the rev counter was jumping around and the green Advarc battery light was on and off = slipping alternator belt. It was at full adjustment so I stopped above Woodend lock and replaced it with a new spare on board. Now no squealing and the rev counter is showing the correct revs.

We will be winding at Kings Bromley and staying the night in the wilds to see in our 25th Wedding anniversary - perfect.

Nev

Frost - bring it on....!!

A little delayed but an update on the work on Waterlily. This was the scene last Sunday after I'd put her back together .



You will see I have left the carpet up to dry out the bit that got wet - not much at all really.

Just a flavour of what I have done on every bit of pipe work I can get access to - certainly all the kitchen back to the water pump.

I rewarded myself with a nice peaceful walk with Leia up to Woodend lock

The frost damage was greater than first thought !!

I posted before my hols about the frost damage on Waterlily here ....

I visited today (Saturday) to fix the pipe behind the cooker shown in the pic from the link above. The cooker came out ok (lighter than I thought) and I fixed the joint by taking it back to the elbow and putting in a new piece of pipe. Turned on the water and pump only to hear the sound of running water still !!! Argh.....

I let it run for some time to find the second leak.....



The frost had opened up a run of pipe completely - under the pot cupboard of course which is very difficult to get at meaning a partial dismantling of the boat !



The split was under the cupboard middle top. I spent some time scrabbling around cutting the pipe and sweating a new piece in.

I can't beleive that none of the pipes were lagged at all. Needless to say as it went back all the pipes were lagged as best as possible.

After I fixed the 2nd leak I fired up the water pump and could hear water running in the bathroom - this time it was the washer on the shower mixer that had been damaged. So the mixed tap came off the wall and was stripped and put back - it was a teasing puzzle !

All went back pump on and up to pressure and nothing .... no water sounds no pump running on and on..... So 3-0 to the frost. It makes me wonder how many others will return to their boats in spring to the same problems. Just happy I have the tools and ability to sort out the damage.

Just got to finish the lagging and reassembly then I can enjoy the boat again

Nev

Aswan port

This is the view from the top deck looking down river......

River cruising - Egyptian style

So here I am in 25 degree C sushine watching the Aswan world go by - yep we are in Egypt cruising the River Nile. There is so much to say about this country and I hopefully have some good pics I'll post shortly.

We boared in Luxor and have cruised down to Aswan - famous for the dam and lake Nasar. Cairo is planned as part of the holiday so hopefully some good pics from the capital.

I hope the weather is not too cold where you are !!!!!

Nev

Supporting our troops

I have just signed up for this

Bikers To Honour Afghan Heroes On Mothers Day

I can't think of a better way to spend the day - on the bike and showing solidarity towards our troops. It will also show that small group of misguided ****'s that this country knows what sort of parade is acceptable.

Nev

The frost takes a bite out of Waterlily

It was a one day visit on Sunday to check how Waterlily fared during the recent extended cold snap. We opened the main stop cock, turned on the electricity and hit the water pump button. The pump kicked in and then we heard the awful sound of running water and it was not coming from the tap....... arse !!

So it was then a matter of trying to find the location without running too much water into the boat. I initially thought it was between the water pump which is in the TV cabinet and the sink unit. I managed to get a view of the pipe work after taking part of the bookcase apart but could not see any damage or wet areas.

Next option was to have a good feel under the sink where the cold water pipe come in - dry and still no leak.

So we turned the radio off and hit the pump switch again and listened - same tinkly water sound -pump off and into the bathroom and under the sink. No leaks but as soon as I touched one of the pipes it moved meaning it was not connected the other side - behind the cooker......

I emptied the under sink cupboard and climbed in to take this photo....



The frost has completely opened up the soldered joint. This was after I thought I'd drained the pipes. I think in hindsight all I'd done was remove the pressure and some of the water. I am giving thought to rigging up a pump to draw off any water in the pipes to stop it happening again - that and some lagging

I did not have the bits or the inclination to repair it as we were only aboard for the day so we lit the fire, filled the water carrier and relaxed.

We had a nice walk as the sun was going down up towards Woodend lock when all the day visitors had gone (parking was the worst we have experienced)



Our first boat - Comet was a victim of the frost. We brought her 'drained down' and when we came to fill the water heater we had our own mini fountain. So I think we have got away lightly so far and have only identified one weakness - literally.

Just got to plan in the repair which will mean taking the oven out as I'm not able to do the job from inside the undersink cupboard.

Before that I have some river cruising to do......

Nev

I'm a star....

I might have mentioned I ride a motorbike... We were recently invited for a ride out with the editor of the Used Bike Guide - follow the link for the article

The link for the article

If anyone wants me to sign their copy of UBG let me know !!

Nev

Insurance advice regarding ice

Interesting and useful information regarding ice and insurance....

Lets hope not too many have to use their insurance policies when we thaw.....(including me)

Nev

Date: 12th January 2010


Internet boat insurers Craftinsure are pleased to distribute the following circular to customers who are concerned at possible damage to their boats due to the recent freezing conditions, with many craft icebound on lakes and inland waterways.

In one case recently the owner of a river cruiser moored in the Lake District reported that ice at least an inch thick surrounded the boat and was creaking loudly. They had been up in the night trying to keep the ice broken but this became too difficult. As the steep slipway nearby was unusable due to the weather conditions, bringing the boat ashore was not an option.

The good news is that, based on advice received from surveyors and others in the marine trade, ice, even when quite thick, is very unlikely to crush or seriously damage boats whilst moored.

Trying to move a boat in ice however is more likely to cause damage, particularly if the ice is thick, as broken ice can be sharp and cause damage to paint and gelcoat. Craftinsure also warns owners not to risk personal safety in the icy conditions.

Wooden hulls may be more susceptible to damage from ice than fibreglass or steel. In the past, caulking in seams could loosen after thawing, resulting in leaks which could cause boats to flood and even sink. Luckily most boats nowadays do not use these methods of construction but if you own such a boat you will need to be more vigilant.

Onboard heating and running of engines occasionally may help prevent problems internally but are unlikely to create enough heat around the outside of the hull to make a significant difference at the waterline where temperatures will be well below freezing.

Even ashore, boats are not immune to winter risks. Craftinsure has had at least one claim already where the accumulation of snow on a barn roof caused it to collapse on top of the boat inside! Snow should be cleared off boat canopies and awnings when possible as again, large accumulations could cause damage.

A more common problem following long spells of cold weather is damage to water systems, seacocks and machinery. Winterisation of engines is obviously important as frost damage is a major risk unless the manufacturer's recommendations have been followed. Most insurance policies only cover frost damage to machinery where owners can show this is the case. Any fresh water systems should be drained unless the boat is kept heated.

As and when the thaw finally arrives, owners need to check their boats over carefully, and in some cases they made need to prepare for the additional risk of flooding as water levels rise again.

For those living aboard, ensure the boat remains ventilated to minimise the risk of a build up of noxious fumes/gases, especially where naked flame type heating is in use. Avoid leaving such heaters unattended, and under no circumstances should combustible material such as clothing or paper be left on top of heaters of this type in case of fire.


Rod Daniel ACII
Craftinsure.com

Another place

I have allowed myself the luxury of route retracing as an act of distraction relaxation. Its a simple but form of day dreaming. I find I do it most in meetings or presentations.

I do it properly and include untying ropes and mooring up when I come to locks. Today I did the route from Fradley to bridge 69 just after Rugeley while in a particulalrly uninteresting presentation. It gives me a great feeling of calm to retrace old routes and enjoy my recollections.

I have the Ashby to redo and also I may do the Leek branch of the Caldon. Of course I don't remember all the twists and turns but then I can refer back to my Nicolsons when I am next at home or on the boat.

One day the day dreams will be real day to day cruises..... the clock has been ticking for a while and the plans get bigger, more real and more exciting.

One of the presenters today was someone who had been on the Channel 4 series 'the secret millionaire' One thing she said that stuck was if you want something just go out and do it/get it. I like that and as I get older the risks are less and therefore the outcomes more likely.

Nev

The real benefit of snow

Its good to read some of my favorite blogs and what they are blogging about with all the snow about.

I like this extract from NB Oakfields blog

"There are quite a few people on their boats along the way as most of the chimneys were smoking away. Why does everything look so much nicer with a covering of snow on it I wonder?"

One of the real benefits of this present weather is it's slowing everyone down. All the normal mad rushing to get here and there is not possible so people slow or in my case stop and relax - and don't feel guilty about it - long may it continue I say.

Nev

Pete's a smug git - I love this post

Pete on NB Pickles has posted how smug he is right now - I think this is a top post and is worth a read

It represents how I feel about my boat - simple but functional. While tech is good it represents an opportunity to fail whereas a simple wood burner and engine, a couple of batteries plus gas makes for a simple self contained existence.

I like the comment about T shirts aboard. Just imagine the thoughts of those trudging along the towpaths looking in with sympathy for the poor cold boater to see Pete warm and toasty in his t shirt - priceless. It's just frustrating I'm not aboard this weekend. That's due to being on standby for work and also a wedding tomorrow, if I can get to it.

Pete tells of the winter of 1963 that in effect was the death of commercial freight carrying on the canals as the cut was frozen for many weeks. I was born in the summer of 1962. Just the right age for someone else to ensure I was warm and safe during that winter. No central heating or gas fires then in our 2 up 2 down - that was all coal fires.... I must talk to my mum about that winter.

Nev

90% of the canals are frozen solid

British Waterways said nearly 90% of its 2,200-mile (3,540-km) river and canal network had frozen solid

This is the line BBC are reporting. That is some widespread and ongoing freeze. We shouldn't be surprised as it is reported that the sea is freezing in the south west.

For my sins I have been getting up at 5am to be in work at 6am to give the call about the status of our site that gets posted on our web site at 7am.

So you toasty warm retired livaboards - its not all bad !!

Nev

Oh and I get to work on my cycle.... hardy bugger I am

Emergency evacuation

Ralph Freeman has written another good piece on his section of NarrowboatWorld.

He starts here by suggesting that the boating community should come up with locations for evacuation off boats. I know whenever I cruise I always use a Nicholsons - and I pretty much know where I am in relation to main roads etc. I just like looking at maps ! I cant understand the hirers who do not have a clue where they are, where the next lock is or more importantly where the next pub is?? Many times I have shared my Nicholsons with them to give them an idea of where they are and what it will take to get to their days destination.

Ralph goes on to salute the continuous cruisers and I second that. I know how cosy it can be on a narrowboat but I also know what it takes to keep it so. That is before water and waste are taken into account.

I think this winter is going to be tough.... we have started the really cold stuff early compared to other years. This could go on to March... we might have to be sending food parcels to some of the bloggers on the right !!

One final observation... it looks like Ralph has been promoted as his link via his name was always at the end of the list of contributors.

Nev

Two floating balls makes me happy (ish)....

I blogged a few days ago about my levels of concentration - not at work but in my engine cooling system.

Having identified I was lacking concentration and therefore exposing my engine to the possibility of a cracked block = fubarr'd engine I visitied my boat to add some much needed protection.

The weather forecasters had been raising the stakes with comments of -6 and add a fair few extra degrees if you are out in the countryside. I had calculated my protection was around -6 or just a bit below so action was needed.

The forecast was snow and as arrived at Fradley it started to snow as forecast. Any other time it would have been magical, light the fire kick back and watch nature at its cruelest. Problem was I'd come to do a job and it was an outside job(ish). It's times like this I'm pleased we have a semi trad with good covers as it means I can work in the engine hole with protection from the elements - in this case snow !

This is how it looked when I arrived.



I'd sought advice on the best way to get the antifreeze into the system from canalworld.net. I did not want to do a complete flush as I did not have the time or inclination due to the weather, promising myself to do it fully in the summer I took off the top hose to the skin tank and dropped a fair bit of water into my bucket and then using a small suction pump drew out more water from the top of the skin tank. I then took off the bottom hose where it went into the engine and dropped some more water into my bucket. I was then able to back fill the tank via the hose - 5 litres of Halfords antifreeze went in. I then topped up the hose until water came back out of the top pipe on the skin tank. I finished by back filling the top hose and then pushing this back onto the top pipe of the skin tank. I finished by running the engine to clear any air locks.



The engine ran up to temp and I got two floating balls on my Halfords tester (I only got one before) Not the full three but knowing I had dropped in 5 litres of antifreeze and doubled the protection made me feel better about leaving my boat in what was being reported as possibly the coldest winter in 100 years !!

I checked the antifreeze in the central heating header tank and this was at the same two ball level (and was ice free when checked) so I am a lot more relaxed now.

I did check the other pipes and noticed some wear on the central heating pipe that runs across the engine so this will need attention soon. Its plastic 15mm so should be an easy replacement.

Top tip to check such pipes as my breakdown in Stone was due to a pipe running on the engine and being slowly worn into by the engine heat/vibration.

Bar the cold I quite enjoyed fiddling with my engine!





I dropped some rubbish off at the service block before leaving and took a couple of pics of a snowy Fradley Junction.

Nev

Oh - and I fed the ducks as it must be a grim old time for them - based on how close they came to me (on the bank) they must have been hungry.

Cruising plans 2010

I am nothing if not consistent. Last night I put my mind to cruising for 2010. I checked back and I blogged about our 2009 cruising plans on the 9th January. I said I'd like to do the Ashby and the Caldon again - we did both and had great weather and great cruises.

This year I'd like a longer cruise so I am planning to be out for three weeks in May. The outline plans are for a week with the lads - similar to our November 2008 cruise and then Rachel joining me for the following two weeks.

The destination will be the end of the Llangollen canal. The Llangollen was our first canal and set the seed that has got me to this point, boat(s) blog and all. When we did the canal some 10 years ago we only made it to Frankton Junction so this will be the completion of our maiden journey.

Now how to get there -this is one of the joys of summer cruise planning in the depths of winter. Canalplan AC is the star of the show for such planning. I wanted to know if going to Hurleston Junction was less lock miles going via the tunnel and heartbreak hill or via Autherly junction and north up the shroppie.

It is shorter via Stoke but I'd rather not got out and back the same way so we will do the four counties again.... I need to review the table of overnight stops to see which way is more convenient for crew changes and car swaps etc. Based on 6 hours cruising per day it can be done in 20 days leaving a free day for unforeseen issues. The total trip will be 222 miles with 150 locks - quite a cruise, I'm looking forward to is already.

Now those overnight stops, where is my Nicholsons ?

Nev

I want one.....

The last boat we saw when out on our New Years eve walk was an unnamed what must have been a former working boat coming past us near the bridge to Findern.



It looked and sounded fine ... a real joy to see it looking so purposeful and solid. I could imagine living in the back cabin is part of the joy of owning such a great boat. I can understand however what it must have been like for the real boaters and their families living in such a space.

I have been reading Sara's Warrior blog about her purchase of a (not small but) large Woolwich ex working boat Chertsey. Chertsey has its own blog now which I will follow with great interest.

I might just spend an couple of hours reading the old boat blogs listed on Sarah's Chertsey blog.

Nev

£200,000 bridge repair

When I was walking on New Years eve was passed bridge 21 on the T&M - this is the bridge that was very badly damaged when a tractor pulling a trailer lost control and dumped the trailer into the canal in October 2008 - see my post about it here.



I have just read in the local paper that work is imminent to repair the bridge. This will mean closure of the canal for an undisclosed period but it did say it would start in January.

I followed the track the tractor would have taken and about 30 yards away is the busy Derby Birmingham main line (I think) Just imagine what a disaster it would have been if the trailer went over at this point ??


I would imagine Railtrack would have been a bit quicker with the bridge repairs.

£200k is a real hit for the tractor drivers insurers !!

Nev

New Years walk Willington to Stenson

It was plumbing in a new radiator at home or a canal fix so I loaded Leia into the car and buzzed off to Willington for a walk. Initially I was only going down as far as the new Mercia Marina entrance but it was so nice I walked on.....



I found this little package on the picnic table - dirty buggers I thought until on closer inspection it was apparent it was Christmas cake - no doubt for the birds !!



This sign made me chuckle .... I woundered what speed a boat would have to hit the bridge at to pose any threat....



This was the very sturdy bridge it was related to


This was the terminus for our walk - Stenson marina. It was very quiet , nothing like when we cruised past here in 2008 when there was a good queue for the lock. We met the guy who sadly drowned at the end of 2008 off his boat back at Willington - very sad.

Incidentally the lock here is the last broad lock on Trent and Mersey.



We walked back to the car as the light was fading - a really nice walk. There were just three boats on the move the whole 2 hours we were walking.



Nev