Are we friendly to the environment ?

NO is the short answer. What IS 'being friendly'? Don't answer that.

The world of nature will look after itself, so look out human beings. (GAIA theory, James Lovelock). Nature changes and adapts oh so slowly we may not notice in a lifetime. But then you may realise that it has changed if you look further back. We do not get snow at Christmas now. The Thames never freezes over and the ice caps ARE melting.

Burning wood is friendly. Coal or oil is not. This is because coal and oil took millions of years to produce. During that time it was absorbing CO2 while storing the suns energy. We have been releasing that CO2 and using the energy over a relatively short period of time.

I understand that our 'pink' diesel is one of the dirtiest fuels. It may be cheap but it is very UN friendly. Perhaps the addition of duty and tax will be a 'blessing in disguise' for the environment. We must be encouraged, not just by cost, but by availability as well, to use friendly fuel. 'Low Sulphur' and 'Bio' comes to mind. I do hope that the boat yards, private suppliers and British Waterways will be helped to make the friendly fuels available to us boaters. There has to be a profit in it.

On a separate tack I find it appalling that pumpout cards are not available from the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust because there is no profit in it. The cards are used to activate the pumpout machines. Thankfully we do not have a 'black tank' to empty. We have cassettes which we can empty for free.

Closures before and after the storm

We seem to be OK on the Kennet & Avon canal for the moment but it is closed near Reading. Kate Bush owns property near the canal and in fact the river Kennet goes across her land. The river drops over a weir there which collapsed in December. It will apparently cost £100,000 to repair. British Waterways have not been maintaining the weir because it is on private land. Its collapse caused a rush of water which sank a boat and now a section of canal is empty!

There has been so much rain that the Thames is in flood and that very windy day has blown down a lot of trees. Many have blocked the canals all over the country. BW has advised all boaters to check with them before setting off on a trip! They will have a lot of work to do to clear the trees and continue the planned winter maintenance as well.

Meanwhile we keep busy working on No Problem.

Diesel taxation

Apparently commercial hire boats will still be able to use the 'lo tax' pink diesel. But non commercial boaters will be obliged to use the 'hi tax' diesel. We will not be able to fill up at commercial boat yards unless they install 'lo' and 'hi' tax diesel. We will have to find private marinas which soon will be forced to convert their supply to 'hi' tax diesel.

The EU law specifies a minimum rate of duty but our government chooses to add more than the minimum which is why the fuel in this country is more expensive. If the government applies the minimum duty to diesel for non commercial boaters then this will encourage it's use. It will also limit the possible purchase for boats of the 'hi tax' fuel at road side pumps.

A green boat

We use far less power than a normal household. Our engine and batteries provide just enough power to run a small washing machine. Maximum electrical power required only to get the water up to 40 degrees after filling with hot water. Each day the engine is run mainly to charge up the batteries for between 1 and 2 hours. During the day our solar panels keep the fridge, and occasional use of the computer running. When purchasing new electrical equipment we have to consider its power requirement. Our TV is only 40 watts, the digital tuner only 15 watts and the computer is 100 watts. And of course they are not left on stand by. We manage with an efficient 8 watt light because it is only 6 feet away. White LED lighting is an interesting development which promises even better efficiency. There are many boats with solar panels and wind turbines generating 'free' power which does not pump the dreaded CO2 into the atmosphere.

I do wish more can be done to encourage us all to consider the amount of power our equipment uses. There is a label on the back which gives the power rating either in watts or amps. Why do we have to search for this information? It should be on the front. How 'green' is your TV ? When power costs money and its generation damages the environment I wonder why we use so much.

Staying on the waters

Not had much time or inclination to write. Moving the boat provided the motive in the past. For the next few months we will be staying on the Kennet & Avon near Devizes. Not far from family or friends if they wish to visit. Should be easier to arrange as we are not a moving target for a while.

Our time will be spent helping our friends fit out their new boat 'NO PROBLEM'. See Sue's blog to keep up with that activity. To avoid confusion the original boat of that name is now 'WASNP' !

New year reVolution

A change in emphasis? Less about waterways more about our way of life, family and friends. We feel that we have 'done' the inland waterways. It has been a wonderful voyage of discovery over the last 6 years living on the boat exploring the 2000 miles or so of the navigations. Our web site will remain as a record of our adventures. With an album of pictures of all the waterways we have explored. The book may well end at Chapter 11 (2006). For it has covered our adventure of discovery which is why I wrote it. Somebody might be persuaded to publish it?

At this point in time we cannot see us going back to 'dry land'. We both still enjoy life on the waterways. The freedom, lifestyle, peace, countryside, wild life and exploration which is only possible while on the boat. Having been back to see family and friends we know that the boat and the waterways are our home. Despite the apparent loneliness we have got to know so many people on the waterways.

Christmas and birthday were celebrated, last year now, with family and friends old and new. There is a promise of fresh opportunity for my brother is returning to his home country. Lovely to see him, his new place and exploring our old haunts together. We will try to stay close to the south coast so that family and friends can enjoy short trips to visit us.

At 65 I need time to explore in other directions. Like reading that 'Wogan' book Sue gave me, watching DVD's, maybe write about my working life, listen to music as always, keep the blog going, learn more tricks with those web pages…………..Should also get out for a walk with Ann & Molly.

Trees are falling down

We have seen many fallen trees along this canal. Most are small ones which have fallen into the canal reducing the width a bit. Can get by those with care. "Don't want to scratch the paint".

Now that all the leaves have been blown off them it can be seen that many trees are still green with ivy! All the branches are so thickly covered that they bend with the weight. If only someone could stop the ivy growing up the trees.

The tree pictured here near Pewsey has totally blocked the muddy tow path. Luckily it did not come down across the canal!

Muddy tow path at Pewsey

The state of the tow path by the official Visitor Moorings is wet soft and muddy. Some boats with winter mooring permits have moved their boats nearer the wharf where the path is in a much better condition. So unoccupied boats have a better path than those that are. This means that there is more foot traffic at the wet end. At least the mud will put off unwanted guests!

Life on the canal

We have spent the last week near Devizes and occasionally travel to Honey St. or Pewsey. It was on one of those trips that we followed an old 'cruiser'. The night before had been noisy with the owner running his engine most of the evening. British Waterways like us to switch off engines at 8. The boat kept a reasonable distance ahead till reaching All Cannings bridge where he stopped. We passed on by and continued through the next bridge. Looking back we saw that the boat was following us. Then we realised why. We were approaching a swing bridge where we have to stop to open it. When we did, the boater just accelerated and pushed on through without looking at us or thanking us. By the time we had shut the bridge the cruiser was well ahead of us. Two miles on there is another swing bridge and we wondered if he would open it for us. As it happened another narrow boat in front had opened the bridge and he did the same to them!

As we travel about we have noticed an abundance of old boats being used as 'accommodation' on this canal. I have referred to them as floating sheds in the past and this winter they are covered in plastic sheeting. So far it has been very mild, but later on they may be quite cold under their sheeting.

It is so depressing we are thinking about leaving this otherwise lovely canal. But we cannot do that yet because of the winter stoppages where B W are replacing lock gates. It has also been so wet that one large tree and many small ones have fallen across the towpath. Thankfully the navigation has not as yet been blocked by them! We have just filled our tank with diesel at 60p / litre. As yet our local diesel supplier has not been told of any change in procedure regarding the pink stuf.

Diesel IS going up in price

The European Union, which includes the United Kingdom, has insisted that the full fuel tax be applied to all diesel. Up to the end of this year 'private recreational boaters' were able to use 'pink' diesel with no tax applied. It would seem that the EU do not care much for our marine industry. The tax is expected to treble the price from about 60p to £1.80 a litre. Unfortunately the suppliers on the 'cut' will not be able to get discounted prices like road side suppliers can. Some boaters will be filling containers at the road side and transporting it to their boats. This could prove to be a potential environmental hazard.

Diesel heating

We have stopped at Devizes Marina to have a new boiler fitted. The initial examination of our system revealed that our 'Bubble' diesel fire, with 'back boiler', is not capable of heating the radiators and domestic hot water. The little central heating pump is noisy and if it fails we would not be able to have the fire on! The radiators are not very warm at the best of times. Our fire is however adequate for 'space' heating. The solution is to have a boiler fitted in the engine bay, disconnect the 'back boiler' and remove the noisy pump. The new boiler will heat the radiators and hot water. It is also automatic in that it has thermostatic control.

Diesel fires on boats suffer from one major problem which is a short chimney. No amount of adjustment will improve the way it burns diesel. If the chimney does not draw enough air through the fuel burns yellow and at worst is smoky. If we fitted a taller chimney we would be able to get under the bridges!

Maintaining Navigation

With a reduced income perhaps British Waterways should consider where our money is spent. More on maintenance and safety, less on expansion. It's PRIME 'directive' is to keep the Navigation open.

* A smart public house by a derelict canal will not be profitable.

* Adding extra length to a canal is pointless if boats cannot get there. It seems silly to make the Caldon Canal longer with that low tunnel which stops many boats getting through. With the SSSI demanding limited access to the Montgomery Canal why make that longer?

* It would be great to get the Wilts & Berks Canal and the Cotswold Canal restored and open but not if the existing canals go in decline.

The canal system really needs continuous maintenance to keep the 200 year old system open. Dredging, tree trimming and cutting back vegetation will all help keep the Navigation open. Regular replacement of lock gates is also essential. Keeping lock keepers and length men to look after the system will help prevent future major disasters.

As seen on TV. Ann putting up a poster at Pewsey Wharf.

Boaters protest day

We have joined a gathering of boaters Pewsey Wharf on the Kennet and Avon Canal.

'GOVERNMENT CUTS MEAN CANAL CUTS',

'WATERWAYS ARE FOR ALL - WALKING, FISHING, BOATING',

'SUPPORT OUR WATERWAY ENVIRONMENT',

Boaters are united in their cause despite the rain. We have been protesting against the swinging cuts in grant by the government which threatens the very existence of all our restored waterways.

Keeping going

There are a number of lock gates being replaced east of Crofton. A lock near Newbury, now closed till the 3^rd. December, prevents us going back there for diesel. We have got on over the summit and down the west side heading for Honey Street where we can fill up with diesel again. The next will be at Devizes 14 miles and no locks away. Meanwhile we have had another Tesco delivery so are well stocked up for our winter cruising. Always plenty of water taps where we can fill the tank. We have travelled mainly during the dry mornings and have found many of the Visitor Moorings along the way are partly occupied with boats as 'winter moorings' so space for us is limited there. However it is possible to stop almost any where on the way but the tow paths are getting quite muddy with all the damp weather.

Bruce tunnel. 

Just done another update on our website.  More pictures on the K n A canal, east side, have a look.

Our Web Site

www.moore2life.co.uk

Geo Cache ?

Would you believe it? Boxes of 'items' are hidden all over the countryside in the UK and in other countries. They are located by knowing the map grid reference number or GPS number. Having a GPS locator is almost essential but some clues are provided to find the hidden box. You have to log on to the internet to get the information. Go to www.geocaching.com and register as a user. Ann and Sue are registered as 'the narrow boaters'. When you find a box it will contain a log book into which you log the fact that you have found it. There are different size boxes. Some are just big enough for the log book and others are big enough to contain 'swops'. Usually small plastic toys and trinkets which you san exchange for something you have. If you are lucky the box will contain a 'Travel Bug' or 'Geo coin'. These items have a mission attached and if you take one you are obliged to follow its instructions. Some of these that we have found have come over from America and Iceland! Once you have registered your visit and done a swop you must hide the box exactly where you find it. Then log in to the web site to register your find.

Family at Kintbury

All facilities here for us boaters and a car park for visitors. Chris and the boys arrived after a calm short journey. The first thing Josh said to me was "I love you grand dad". Then he woke up Ben telling him "We have arrived". Our grandchildren were so good they were offered some sweets! Once on the boat we got the kettle on and made a refreshing drink for them all. Ann had made some vegetable soup which went down well. It was fine and sunny so we then all took a walk round the village. Past the church where Jane Austen had known the Reverend Thomas Fowle and his family. Then on by the allotments where the villagers were busy tending their crops. Telling our grand children about the carrot tops and other good food grown here. Back at the boat we set about moving up a few spaces as some boats had moved away. Just a short trip for the boys which then enabled the satellite dish to get a signal through a gap in the trees. So the TV kept them quiet for a while. Then the toys came out and we did puzzles and drew some pictures while Ann made some supper.

A reply from my MP

I had written to him about the cut in grant to BW from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). BW are considering reducing the amount of maintenance and their workforce due to this loss of revenue. We are very concerned because BW are even considering closing some canals. So here follows some of the content of the letter:-

I fully understand the concerns about this situation and, as a result of receiving previous similar letters to your own, I wrote to the relevant Minister at DEFRA, Barry Gardiner MP, and will ensure that his response is sent to you as soon as it has been received.

Also, the following are questions and answers between MP's in parliament for 6^th November:-

The Parliamentary Under - Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs is Mr Ben Bradshaw MP

Mr. Ben Bradshaw: ……Public funding for Britain's inland waterways has increased substantially since Labour came to power.

Michael Fabricant: ……How can he reconcile that with cutting 180 staff from British Waterways?

Mr. Ben Bradshaw: ……the Department is having to make difficult and painful decisions,…..

Mr. Bob Laxton:- Will my Hon. Friend assure me that any future savings in grant aid to BW next year will not use as a base line the 15% budget reduction undertaken halfway through this financial year?

Mr. Ben Bradshaw: All decisions about next year will be made in due course.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: …..Will the Minister explain why BW's budget was cut this year?

Mr. Ben Bradshaw: ……for a number of reasons,….

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: …..It is the reasons that I am after, because it is bad enough that cuts of £200 million are being made, but it is even worse that Ministers do not seem to know why……

Mr. Ben Bradshaw: ……About £10 million of the money……preventing outbreaks of avian flu,…..The rest is needed for other reasons that have already been made plain in numerous answers to questions from Hon. Members.

The truth and nothing but the truth is what we expect from our MP's who are there to represent us.

Another Website Update

For those boaters intent on going to the I W A gathering next year at  St. Ives on the River Great Ouse.  I now have several pages of pictures showing you the way.  Down on to the Nene at Northampton and on to Peterborough.  Then on the Middle Level through March.  Finally onto the tidal Great Ouse to Denver and all the way to Bedford.

Go to www.moore2life.co.uk , click on Rivers, and select Nene, Middle Level then Great Ouse.

Locked in a lock

' A pair of continuous cruisers were stopped by BW in a lock '.

After a few days we moved on up and into Hamstead Lock. Then realised that the gates were padlocked shut so we could not leave. That was at midday so we waited for a BW man to let us out. It was locked to prevent boats going down to the next lock which is now closed for repair. There are several boats still down there between the locks unable or not wanting to move up. Meanwhile Ann made some soup for us all.