Ray

Interesting discussion and I agree with the all that has been said. My older brother is extremely dyslexic, he is over 70 now so when he was a child there was virtually no recognition... eventually the best they could offer him was a school for kids getting into trouble with the law. It was the only thing they could think of as a "Special" school. He has done well in life but he definitely bears the scars of his childhood. Like everyone else here I recognise that of course some youngsters have problems but the 'fashion' for a diagnosis is swamping and holding back those in genuine need of the help that would benefit them. I too can't get my head around gender identity problems in very young children, I would have thought those people who genuinely struggle with this wouldn't begin to suspect they need help until at the very earliest around puberty and more likely as young adults. I have no recollection at all of a single peron having any issue of this kind during my schooling.

Welcome aboard, we also cruise with a Greyhound as Admiral (or Squadron Leader 😁)

Welcome... keep working on Dad! 🙂

I thought there was gravel/chippings along there now, am I thinking of the right place?

Glad all is well now, take care and keep warm 👍

Thanks for posting that Sam, I really enjoyed it 👍

I sometimes find a misbehaving app is cured by forcing it to stop so next time you open it it has to reload. Settings > Apps > (name of app) > Force Stop This is Android, I'm not familiar with iphones.

..... and that's how I ended up in A & E 😁

I've supported St George for many years.... I married the Dragon! Happy St Georges Day

From the Hello album - volume up and enjoy 😁 https://youtu.be/4L_9H8WTTSw?si=WmgSFhSeoNBSPjxk

Softer Ride would work, then not work, then work... 😂 Love that track 👍

Cheers 🥃 I'm in the same boat, well not literally otherwise you'd have noticed. My trusted method which I'm about to employ is to find something like a "very interesting" podcast/radio program and follow it carefully. This method is so successful that over many years I have learnt absolutely nothing. Goodnight 👍

Absolutely agree, which may come as a surprise given my post above 🙂 I simply take issue with the way that the whole concept of woke has been turned on it's head to be seen as something bad. Whoever tells us what to do or think are dictators, as you say we don't need or want telling and in a way that's the point. By all means fight extremist factions be they Left, Right, Religious or Conspiracy Theorists etc. but nearly every decent person is by definition somewhat woke. On another thread there is a list of modern terms and saying that get under people's skin, maybe I should have posted this there...... "So, at the end of the day, I ran it up the flagpole but no one saluted, er my bad, you know 😂"

It's really a good idea to know what "woke" means before using it constantly in the pejorative just because it has become common to do so in certain circles. Here’s how the OED defines it. woke, adjective: Originally: well-informed, up-to-date. Now chiefly: alert to racial or social discrimination and injustice; frequently in stay woke. How many members here would like to be thought of as someone not caring about discrimination and injustice?

These people operate day in and day out and are virtually impossible to tell apart from honest guys just trying to make a living. I'd say you did well to get so much work done and not fall for the rat scam! All in all one up to you, you trusted folk like a decent human being but was not taken in 👍

How very dare you.... 😂😂😂 🍺🍺

Another aspect and I don't know if this has happened or is common, is that a helm becoming aware of being filmed may be distracted enough to make the mistake the filmer is hoping to capture. Many of us will have experienced messing something up because we are under scrutiny whether afloat or in any other area of life (my first driving test haunts me still after 50 years lol) Basically it's intrusive and un-nerving and more so for those making their first attempt at a new skill.

Help comes in many forms, sometimes a simple coffee and a chat will do, maybe a second pair of eyes to go over official documents and forms could help someone bamboozled by seemingly endless rules and requirements. Someone who is alone can quickly become isolated leaving them disadvantaged and unable to access help they may be entitled to. This applies on the water, in cities and rural villages equally, wanting to help can actually seem quite daunting but being a good neighbour often gives insights into where a little help can be given as a friend. Sorry to sound preachy or worse still in some eyes "woke" but I'd wager that every member has or would help a neighbour, it just needs a wider view of who our neighbours are

That's the problem in a nutshell, we have no desire to victimise people but the only solutions appear to do just that. Sadly, like so many societal problems every avenue costs a lot of money that simply isn't available. That's why I guess most such difficulties are treated with a stick rather than a carrot 🙁

I believe councils are legally obliged to provide facilities for Travellers, could there be any advantage in requiring the same of river authorities? I'm not proposing this as an answer just exploring the idea from the point of view of our experienced members.

Welcome aboard 👍

We spoke to them last year and they really wanted to find a buyer who would take on the whole ethos and character of the business. I expect their search continues! We always include a stop there, love the place 👍

What everyone else says 👍 We do really all get it wrong sometimes especially at first but even after years of experience. You'll laugh about this oneday and before you know it you will be the one giving a beginner helpful advice. Carry on regardless 🙂

I think that the family are going to receive the best introduction possible to boating.... Many happy hours afloat to them 👍 Nice one Griff 🍺

Nice job, looks good 👍