ranworthbreeze

Hello Colin, Yes it is Braunston Tunnel there was a slight mistake taken in the building of the tunnel that has given it the slight S bend, after saying that it is only some of the shorter tunnels that are straight, one of the issues of tunnels is that the height becomes reduced over time which has closed a number of tunnels or new tunnels have been cut. What impressed me about the Grand Union that on one side the Braunston Tunnel the water had that iron or rusty water look of it and at the other end the water was crystal clear. Was it the Braunston or the Blisworth tunnel where a cow or a bull swam through the tunnel a number of years ago? What about the Lee & Stort Navigations or the Grand Union Canal. Have you thought about boatshare on the canals? Before we bought our share on Ranworth Breeze in 2001 we had looked at the only two syndicates on the canals we could find around 1998-99 the boats were ok but not to our liking and very expensive at the time. These days if you pick a private unmanaged syndicate then you can find some good deals, when they let me retire I will have another look at the canal syndicates available, ideally you need to pick a location with more than one route available. Have a look on www.boatshare .co.uk Philip who runs this website has a wealth of knowledge regarding boat shares most if not all boat syndicates nation wide are listed. Getting back to the topic in hand, next weeks episode I believe in on the Llangollen Canal, only 21 locks on this canal so it is fairly easy going but it have a number of lift bridges (these are hydraulically operated so are not to difficult to operate but you have to unlock them. The aqueduct at Chirk with the railway bridge along the side of it is very impressive for those of us that like structures. The heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is in another world, people come from all over the world just to walk on its tow path to cross over it on a boat is very special even if you do not now have ahead for heights, I must say I always stood on the tow path side of the tiller going both ways. Being stood on the back of the boat with a rail and open gaps with the floor you are stood on which is level or higher than the wrought iron trough that passing along is daunting. I am sure the program will show this in great detail. Regards Alan

Early narrow boats were constructed of 6mm (1/4 inch plate) with 4 mm sides and roofing. Today most hulls are 10-12mm with 6-8 sides and 4mm roofs. The average narrow boat can weigh between 20 to 35 tons and is difficut to stop unlike the fibre glass cruises on the broads. trying to stop a narrow boat with ropes in not a good idea even with the engine in reverse. Single handed narrow boating can be done, but it does have pitfalls. If you want a good read about single handed narrow boats look for the books written by John Gagg. His antics using steps on the top of the narrow boat to get out of the locks (this was before all locks were fitted with ladders). We have helped a number of single handed crews over the years and shared wide locks with them or had some of our crew to help them to speed up our transit up or down the locks. Regards Alan

Hi Robin, What happened with the above? Regards Alan

Hi Frank, At first I thought you was talking about decorating but soon realised you were talking about something more worthwhile Regards Alan

Hi Iain, I guess we all have shot knees! oops bad move now how do we eventually get back up Regards Alan

I agree Martin, I thought they were both doing well for their ages. Rather than the beatings given to basil maybe it could have been the diet of rats, no they are hamsters! Regards Alan

Hi Martin, Yes the Standedge tunnel on the Huddlersfield Canal is one of the few tunnels we have not been through. At a little over 3 miles the reason for long time underground is that the narrower and shallower the tunnel is reduces the average miles per hour achievable by the boat. We have been in several long tunnels The Harecastle on the Trent & Mersey, Blisworth & Braunston on the Grand Union, Netherton on the Birmingham Canal Navigations. I quite like them but I can understand why it can freak some people out, a large hat is well worth it because of the water coming from the air vents or leakage through the rock. Regards Alan

I managed to catch the episode last night which was on the Rochdale Canal, well worth a watch and I have now set it to record as a series. Regards Alan

It would seem that the index page is effected. I log in via Google straight into the login page and that seems fine. I hope they get sorted out soon. Regards Alan

Hi jtf, I am glad I hadn't just had a gulp of my coffee, I nearly fell out of my chair with your reply. Perfect Regards Alan

Hi Grace, When me and my canal budies (three couples Tan being the youngest and into our late sixties, or so my mate keeps saying) leave the hired narrow boat and wander back from the pubs we visit tend to use the wind up led torches. All that can be heard all the way down the tow path is the sound of all the torches being wound up and the odd flash of light. Its amazing how the trip back to the boat seems to go quicker Regards Alan

Hi Grace, There is nothing better than spending some time on the back of the boat, ideal if the canopy is down, but it is almost as good sitting under the canopy. We will attach one of those led lights onto the canopy frame or you can buy lights to make it permament. At the end of the day with a good glass of Merlot (beer or larger if you wish), just watching anything happening on the river before it goes completely dark, perfect. Regards Alan

Hi Geoff, I like the pictures, there is nothing better than being near the water be it inland or by the coast. We Have stayed at the Swan at Horning, we always wanted to stay at the Petersfield Hotel but sadly they pulled it down. It used to be Handy to moor there and have a meal up at the hotel. Regards Alan

Confirmation from the Broads Authority. Breydon Bridge The Authority has been informed by Eastport Uk that following overnight repairs last week and trial lifts over the weekend, the bridge is returned to full service and is now fully operational. Kind regards Angie Leeper Asset Officer Broads Authority, Yare House, 62 - 64 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY tel 01603 756057 mob 07971 156076 fax 01603 756069 angie.leeper@broads-authority.gov.uk

Hi Colin, If the dogs are a smaller breed, a number of owners use the coats on dogs which have a handle sewed onto the top of the coat, just in case you have to pull them aboard. Regards Alan

Strowager is correct re the lack of knowledge of some retailors about the product they are selling. There is some good shops still in the high street but in many cases they are teetering on the edge. The guys in the phone shops usually know their stuff, but would you talk them about any other subject. One of the problems is once finding the article you want is find someone that has it in stock, the right colour and does not turn up damaged in transit. If you still have a local hardware shop use it the staff will know all of their stock and may give you some tips, they may well be cheaper than the usual, B & Q, Screwfix (same grout and can be dearer than B & Q) etc. I went to a local decorators shop £20 a tin cheaper than B & Q for varnish, and the reason I did not get it from B & Q was that they only had the self serve tills on, so I left the £40 tin and a couple of other items on the top of the self serve till because they would not open a till for me. So £70 in a lost sale. I only go into that branch when pushed. Regards Alan

Hi John, A fair few methods have been suggested in pulling or pushing a tape or rod through your ducting. The main thing as already suggested is to pull in a draw rope or wire that is left in the duct for future use. Iain will remember to old conduit tape that we all used to use that was enclosed in almost a full circle of conduit, it used to be a pain to pull out enough of the rusty tape out of the conduit. I have not tried them but the fibre glass push rods look better for use in conduit, ducts and across ceiling voids. Regards Alan

Hi Andy, I wish I could be down there today and take advantage of your offer. For me your tandem could do with a few more gears I hope you do well today and report back to us how it went. Regards Alan

Hi JTF, Very true, the media and politicians are so full of spin. I wonder if it is the result of never doing a full days work. Does the above make me also a cynic or a realist? Regards Alan

I have also used Ebay for many years buying items we require from all over the world and have only had 2 incidents over that time. A friend of mine has bought a couple of guitars from the far east. The quality is very good and equals if not betters the likes of the Squire copies. The last one he bought was a Fender Telecaster copy with a inlaid mother of pearl mermaid on the body . He won the auction at £8.50 but with delivery and import duty the final price was just over £100. I have used Amazon just like Lori says mostly for books. Regards Alan

Hi Neil, Making hay whist the sun is shinning in my mind has always been sharp practice within the travel holiday market. Sadly this has been the case for more years than I can remember. The case of being able to charge what you want because there is a demand is somewhat wearing very thin. Another thing we have to bear in mind that there are moves to reduce the summer school holidays down to five weeks which would not improve the situation. I am so glad that our children were out of the school system before this system of fines or not allowing children to have time off came into being. For those of you that are caught up in it you have my sympathies. Regards Alan

New free Broads Authority 24 hour moorings are now open at Hardley Cross Angie Leeper Asset Officer Broads Authority, Yare House, 62 - 64 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY tel 01603 756057 mob 07971 156076 fax 01603 756069 angie.leeper@broads-authority.gov.uk

Hi Martin, Welcome to the world of VAT in the EU and import duty. From Europe we are all charged VAT wether we have a VAT number or not, if you buy from within the EU and supply your VAT number you can claim it back, and yes it is 20%. With regards to Import duty you can not claim any thing back other than any VAT charged by a UK carrier. If you get anything from the USA there will be a minimum charge of around £17.50 to £20 and more as the qualue of the item increases. Regards Alan

Ditto to all of the above, people with too much time on their hands and a leaning towards distruction of any kind. It is a pity that all that effort can not be put to good use. Re passwords it goes without saying to use different ones for different locations. Also don't store loads of personal details on your PC, tablet or phone, it is trouble waiting to happen. Regards Alan

Well Done Grace! Apart from the bright colour scheme what are your other plans for Your Boat (sounds great doesn't it). Have you plans to where it will be kept and where your cruising area will be? As Martin says the hardest part and trim purse has yet to come. River Toll Insurance Mooring Fee BSS Fuel Gas Renewals Repairs If you want any advice of where to get any of the above please feel free to contact me or any of the other forum members. Regards Alan