The wheels on the CaRT!

For years, a symbol of the UK's Canal and River system in the public mind was not the old BW Reed Mace and Bridge. Though the old BW logo gives a much better impression of the inland waterways. More latterly, the logo of choice has bee CaRT's Angry Swan.

In fact what has long symbolised the canal and river system has been the amount of rubbish fly-tipped from almost every bridge. What has become the standard symbol and joke associated with our Canal and River system has been the rusting shopping trolley. 

However, have you ever wondered what happens to all the broken and abandoned trolleys that litter our inland waterways. The vast majority are simply left to rust away being hit again and again by narrowboats and barges until they are completely flattened or end up wrapped around a propeller. However, some that are recovered are in reasonable condition can be rescued, revived and reused. 

This is an enormous graveyard containing many tens of thousands of broken trolleys. However, this is not the end of the line for these old supermarket trolleys. Instead of being scrapped, all of them are waiting to be repaired and refurbished.


The Reviva factory in Tibshelf, Derbyshire gives broken trolleys a second life. It is estimated that the missing shopping trolleys are costing UK supermarkets and ultimately the shopper more than £8million a year to replace.

Understanding CaRT #1

Most people know that I enjoy poking fun at CaRT, if I did not poke fun, then I would only end up crying into my beer.  So in the spirit of being a bit more upbeat, I decided to do some fractured motivational posters.  As a kid I had a few motorcycle posters on my bedroom wall. So I decided to hang a few inland waterways posters on my blog wall. Many people are somewhat puzzled about the role and function of (CaRT) the Canal and River Trust. Here are a series of helpful pictures that will assist with a deeper  understanding.

Today's poster will help you to grasp the finer points of the carefully collated and expertly crafted maintenance plan for the inland waterways.

Photo (3)

Throughout the last few years of boat ownership. I have been taking a number of photographs around the canals and rivers system. Obviously the subject would vary depending on where we were and what we were doing.
 

The photographic image was taken using a Canon 550d DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) which is my camera of choice. I use Coral Paintshop Pro X6 photo editing software for adding the logo and creating a smaller thumbnail image.

There is no particular theme, other than most of my photography is waterways inspired. It's whatever that caught my attention at the time. So I thought I might include a few of my photographs into the blog. I am looking for titles to give to the images, you might like to suggest one of your own.

This late autumn, early winter image was taken just after dawn at Mercia Marina on the Trent and Mersey canal.  The mushrooms were growing through the bake chippings in one of the flower beds.

The very pretty and looking like a wax covered parasol, the Milkcap Mushroom is very poisonous. The mushrooms have a slight covering of frost. The frost helps to give the image some definition and texture. 

There are roughly 15,000 types of wild fungi in the UK, identification is not easy. As mushrooms can be very toxic to touch or eat, I never forage wild mushrooms as food.

I take photographs for my own personal pleasure. Whilst I reserve copyright ownership of the photographic image. You are free to use the image for your own purposes as long as the logo is not removed and you give credit to where the photograph came from. The image provided on the blog is a thumbnail of the original photographic image. 

Stupid Virus

Live and work around the inland waterways, then you are at serious risk of being stupid.

There is an area of research that challenges some of the assumptions we make about ourselves, and that research is into microbiology. Did you know that a person’s gut 'micro-biome' is better at identifying the individual than even their own fingerprints. 

You may have already learnt in biology at school that there are more bacterial cells in your body than human cells. But did you know that the gut microbes powerfully affect our behaviour. Everything can be dictated by the gut microbes, without which you would quickly die. Now new evidence has implicated them in yet another aspect of life. our individual levels of intelligence.

In this case its a virus that is itself associated with micro-organisms. It's an infectious agent called ACTV-1. But this  virus generally attacks algae. The researchers were doing research into the effect of viruses on the brain when they discovered ACTV-1 DNA in several participants’ throats. These participants displayed reliably lower scores on tests of spatial awareness and visual processing. But the more worrying part is of course, people who are more likely to be working near or coming into contact with algae are also more likely to be stupid.

The research team found that the virus was controlling expression of over a thousand genes. Its well known that viruses control gene expression for a number of reasons. One is to end a threat to themselves. Another is to end an alarm signal sent to the body's immune system. But the virus also controls the genes to kick start replication of the virus’s own genome.

This research begs the question. If there are thousands of species of micro-organism in our bodies. If each of these micro-organism comes with associated issues or pests like ACTV-1, then how much of our personalities might be dictated by the subtle interactions. And how effectively could that change your personality?

This study was only possible due to an ongoing large scale analysis of DNA from many, different species conducted at the same time. The so called meta genomic. This allows scientists to take a throat swab, or a soil sample, do large scale analysis on all thousands of species worth of DNA it contains, and then have a computer recombine it all into a sensible listing of species. As we learn how to read and manipulate genetic information more and more powerfully, it’s not only our ourselves we will come to know more intimately. 

Photo (2)

Throughout the last few years of boat ownership. I have been taking a number of photographs around the canals and rivers system. Obviously the subject would vary depending on where we were and what we were doing.
 

The photographic image was taken using a Canon 550d DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) which is my camera of choice. I use Coral Paintshop Pro X6 photo editing software for adding the logo and creating a smaller thumbnail image.

There is no particular theme, other than most of my photography is waterways inspired. It's whatever that caught my attention at the time. So I thought I might include a few of my photographs into the blog. I am looking for titles to give to the images, you might like to suggest one of your own.

This late autumn, early winter image was taken just after dawn at Mercia Marina on the Trent and Mersey canal. With only the faintest of ripples the water provides an almost perfect mirror image of the landscape. I rather like the lowering sky and the threatening cloud reflection in the water. The semi silhouette outline of the boats on their moorings adds an extra dimension to the scene. 

I take photographs for my own personal pleasure. Whilst I reserve copyright ownership of the photographic image. You are free to use the image for your own purposes as long as the logo is not removed and you give credit to where the photograph came from. The image provided on the blog is a thumbnail of the original photographic image. 

Myths

Regular readers know that I like to keep the look and feel of the my postings light-hearted, especially as we get towards the Christmas end of the year. A time of goodwill, so this year is no exception. Have you ever wondered why Boxing Day is called Boxing Day? 

I thought it was the day that those fun presents like that - full drum kit - purchased for you by a favourite uncle who was better known for playing practical jokes. A day when the drums had to be packed back in their boxes, ready to return them to the shops. In exchange for something a bit quieter like a jigsaw!

Wikipedia says:- Boxing Day is a holiday traditionally celebrated on the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradespeople would receive gifts, known as a 'Christmas box' from their bosses or employers.

Well times have changed. My last employer I worked for 25 years. The academic institution owes me quite a backlog of 'Christmas Boxes' numbering roundabout 25!  However, there is an earlier precedent dating from the Middle Ages. Being the time of opening up of the church poor box, to distribute alms to the needy. So maybe I should also go to see the local vicar as well.

Photo (1)

Throughout the last few years of boat ownership. I have been taking a number of photographs around the canals and rivers system. Obviously the subject would vary depending on where we were and what we were doing.
 

The photographic image was taken using a Canon 550d DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) which is my camera of choice. I use Coral Paintshop Pro X6 photo editing software for adding the logo and creating a smaller thumbnail image.

There is no particular theme, other than most of my photography is waterways inspired. It's whatever that caught my attention at the time. So I thought I might include a few of my photographs into the blog. I am looking for titles to give to the images, you might like to suggest one of your own.

I take photographs for my own personal pleasure. Whilst I reserve copyright ownership of the photographic image. You are free to use the image for your own purposes as long as the logo is not removed and you give credit to where the photograph came from. The image provided on the blog is a thumbnail of the original photographic image. 

This late autumn, early winter image was taken just before dusk on the Trent and Mersey canal. With little to no wind the water provides an almost perfect mirror image of the landscape.

I rather like the way that water darkens the cloud reflection in the sky. The silhouette outline and lack of detail in the deep shadows very nicely hides the fact that there was a van parked under the trees.

Is it me!

Once more the Trust goes to the courts, seeking through inequality of arms to make people frightened and subdued. Just plane simple bullying. However, this time the case is lost and CaRT will stand with egg on its face once more.

Is it me!

Is it me I ask myself, whenever I question what's seems wrong;

its a foible a trait the way I am, and its been with me life long;

never could avoid the issue, I always had something to say;

it seems I was blighted or blessed, I can't help I am that way.

Well is it me because I question it, can't stand around to watch;

it irks and troubles me, when something has been botched;

there is much wrong in this life, and diplomacy not my way;

for I believe that the under dog,  must also have its day.

Yes its me that will stand up, to the way things are today;

might is never right, no matter what you think or say;

your comeuppance will come, and this might be the day;

there are many more like me, and I'm not going to go away.

It is me shining a light in the dark, where bad deeds are done;

there is still much to do, because you're not the only one;

you just remember that, you are always being observed;

people will still have their say, and the injustice will be curbed.

Friends can come and go, you have such a lot to learn; 

morels have a value, through them respect you'll have to earn;

because transparency and openness, is now the only way;

charitable in more than name, one day it might even pay.

The Alternative Canal Laureate.

Evan Keel.

Christmas gifts!

Most people know that I enjoy poking fun at CaRT, if I did not poke fun, then I would only end up crying into my beer.  So in the spirit of being a bit more upbeat, I decided to do some fractured motivational posters.  As a kid I had a few motorcycle posters on my bedroom wall. So I decided to hang a few inland waterways posters on my blog wall.

Christmas is a time of good cheer and where better can you celebrate Christmas than on the towpath. As you open your gifts, pause for a moment and think about those other gifts left by dog walkers on the towpath.

Cook off - why don't you!

I do wish the various program providers for television, which is loosely described as  being entertainment. Would do us all a favour and 'cook off.'  I remember the days of the odd eccentric cook like Fanny Craddock and her erstwhile monocled companion Johnny. If nothing else there was a good 'double entendre' in the names. Then after a decent break to allow a new generation to come along.  Came the next version of television chef Keith Floyd. A man who occasionally introduced wine into the kitchen and also on rare occasions there was enough left over to add to the cooking. Often filmed in something of a stupor through the simple expedient of getting completely rat arsed. Then the avalanche of cookery clowns started with Delia Smith. The bundle of fun in a hall of mirrors that was Oz Clark and Silly Ghoulden. 

Followed by a plethora of other clones. The two and three wheeled food terrorists. The Hairy Bikers and the Two Fat Ladies. The clown prince of cookery who literately put crap into your food Heston Blumenthal and his Jamie Oliver who at least tried to kick the crap out of the food chain. Gregg Wallace and John Torode who did for entertainment what Cyril Smith did for hang gliding. Plus the part time kleptomaniac, Anthony Worrall Thompson.

If that was not enough further acts of vengeance were committed with the introduction of the excitable king of crap Tom Kerridge the delightful Jane Asher, Ainsley Harriott,  Gary Rhodes, Nigel Slater, James Martin, Rick Stein, Simon Rimmer, Raymond Blanc, Valentine Warner, Rachel Allen, Anjum Anand, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and the appropriately named Jo Pratt.  
  

With the foul mouthed Gorgon Ramsay, struting his stuff until we had a welcome break with the advent of the thinking man's kitchen goddess. No, not octogenarian Mary Berry, but  Nigella Lawson and Lorraine Pascal. Now tis the season to be jolly - with the ladies getting their buns out for the lads. 

By the way - don't eat yellow snow..

Merry Christmas and a very happy new year.

Astronomical solstice today.

The solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice each year as the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point in the sky. The solstices, and the equinoxes, are connected with the seasons. In many cultures the solstices mark either the beginning or the midpoint of winter and mid point of summer.

 

Today is the 21st of December 2014 the solstice arrives at 23:03 and this will be posted at that exact time. The word solstice is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in its seasonal movement coming to a stop before reversing direction. In the UK, the summer solstice marks the day when the sun appears highest in the sky. That will be June 21st 2015 at 16:38.

Santa's progress across the sky.

Since the 1950s the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has had a role to play in at least one Christmas myth. Sears department store ran a newspaper advertisement in 1955 with a number, on which children could call their store Santa. Due a misprint, the advert actually featured the phone number for the office of Colonel Harry Shoup at NORAD's predecessor, Continental Air Defence Command (CONAD). 

Col. Harry Shoup

When young callers came through to him the Colonel improvised and had his staff provide updates on Santa's progress across the sky. This led to a long standing tradition which continues to this day, with an official Santa tracking number set up by NORAD that kids could call on Christmas Eve.

 

Now Santa is on-line. Click Here

Waterways Hardship Fund

With the cold weather now upon us, the  concern Workplace Matters (WM) have launched a Waterways Hardship Fund for boaters in difficulty. This is operated by the the Waterways Chaplaincy, that is part of WM, and offers help regardless of faith or gender to those in need on the waterways, with Canal and River Trust having signed a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year.

Quick and easy way to give a donation:-

If, for instance you have been given a winters fuel allowance that you would like to use to help boaters who find themselves facing hardship this winter, there's a quick and easy way to do it. Just visit the dedicated JustGiving web page to help those in need.

Frost Rhyme

The Frosty Rhyme

Fields are all frozen, now jack frosts job is done;
etched in green and white, with frosty fingers spun;
painting all the leaves, with a crisp and frosty rime;
the start of a new season, we call our winter time.

Water takes on a new look, as ice begins to form;
reedmace turns to brown, herald winters storms;
willow leaves lie floating, collect at waters edge;
making green brown rafts, to tangle in the sedge.

Mud is getting deeper, boat ropes are getting hard;
walking is getting difficult, need to be on our guard;
smoke from stoves rising, a signal the cold is here;
staying until the spring returns, and winter disappears.

Now the ground is covered, the snow is very deep;
wind blowing stronger, snow drifts begin to sweep;
round the stove we gather, more snow starts to fall;
springs return is delayed again, returning at a crawl.

Now the icicles are melting, the cold begins to break;
snow now turns to slush, snowdrops begin to wake;
days are growing longer, the chill has been eased;
buds swell on branches, our hopes are being teased.

The ice now grows thinner, to the edge it tightly clings;
sun light warms the ground, and soon it will be spring;
fields no longer frozen, jack frosts work is all undone;
once more all green and bright, as another years begun.

With Sufficient Force

There was back in my childhood a few old chestnut sayings involving a play on words such as when is a door not a door - when its ajar. (A Jar) But there are other more modern examples such as when is a charity not a charity when its a CaRT. 

If I consult a dictionary for a definition: - 'The voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need. Noun: charity; plural noun: charities. An organisation set up to provide help and raise money for those in need. Synonyms: Not-for-profit organisation, voluntary organisation, charitable institution. Viewed collectively as the object of fund raising or of donations.'

If you asked the average person in the street to describe a charity - they would probably conjurer up examples like Childline, OxFam or Cancer Research. That's because we all believe that charities are just that - charitable institutions with altruistic intentions to provide timely help to the needy. Now, it seems to me that what I would describe as a 'charitable institution' compared to the Canal and River Trust, are in reality an oxymoron.  No two ways about it, this government did not agree to let the old British Waterways enter the third sector for altruistic reasons. It was because it wanted the responsibility of a quango black hole, off its books. 

Now CaRT has been granted the use of a public begging bowl, but so far it has failed to make any worthwhile use of it. The street chugging quickly turned once more into a financial flop.  Grand claims for thousands and thousands of 'friends' all contributing has also become yet another millstone and once again another soft target that they are unable to achieve. 

At the same time - a ready made financial stream one that would also boost the number of 'friends' in the form of a paid membership of the trust, is studiously ignored. The problem here for the trust is that the membership just might want to question in detail, some off the more surprising results. In the once promised new era of openness and transparency the door remains tightly shut and the drawbridge of accountability at Ivory Towers remains raised for the foreseeable future.

Its at this point where any comparisons with a charitable altruistic service to the public stops. It now becomes a bit more like a rail franchise and one that's come off the rails. CaRT gets a handout from government (public subsidy) and makes a few noises and at best a feeble attempt to live up to the governments expectations. At the recent get together with the 'All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways.' The collective amnesia displayed over the effectiveness of the Waterways Partnership itself beggars belief.

Grandiose claims made made for the 'Waterways Partnerships'. (CaRT and its predecessor were always good value for money in the art of making grandiose claims) Waterways Partnerships who were going to be self funding by the end of this year. (Pigs will fly) Moving out of the red column and into the black.  (Porcine avionics allowing) Not only that but the partnerships are supposed to be pulling in millions of pounds of revenue or its equivalent from sources within their operational area.  

I have a layman's question - if this regional methodology of raising funding through the use of partnership groups is such a good idea. - Why do you suppose the other one and a half million other charitable institutions failed to catch on?

I have another layman's question - Hanging on to the coat tail of big business has also not been a big success story for CaRT - The liaison and dalliance it had with the Co-op Bank (tainted by the antics of its chairman) has also left the carcase of another grandiose idea, to be quietly ferment. - Why do you suppose the other one and a half million other charitable institutions failed to catch on to what the Co-op Bank had to offer?

Well as the metaphorical porcine pilots forming a disorderly queue for take off.  As my old science teacher would have said 'With sufficient force, boy! Even a pig would be able to fly.' One of the principals of flight is that its a good idea to also have a plan for landing. But you know, I know, everyone knows, its going to end in tears. Accompanied by rounds of finger pointing and the anointed few absolving themselves once again from any semblance of blame. Another good intention that will be thrown onto the ever growing pile of festering carcases of each previous grandiose idea.

So its no change then - its more of the same old - same old. But as you know, where possible I like to end on a positive note. As more of the old guard quietly disappear, leaving not a ripple to mark their passing. We can only hope that the fresh blood in the Trustees will bring about some worthwhile change. - The first one I would like to suggest, would be to point the current chairman of trustees in the direction of the exit doors. I bet there would be very little if anything by way of a ripple, be it water or applause.

Royal Fail

Angus McDonagh has claimed to have sent letters all around the world for free. The entrepreneur designed his own range of stamps. Then just attached them to letters. The rather bizarre if crude stamps actually feature his own face in a variety of weird and wonderful disguises. In a wonderful swipe, Angus described himself as a self proclaimed 'anarchist philatelist'. Angus said he first begun making his own stamps and even franking them in a period of what he called bland stamp design. He continued 'When I started I wanted them to be deliberately silly, so I included a fake moustache, beard or eye patch, that was very obviously drawn very crudely. I started it as a bit of a protest. It seemed as if stamps were disappearing due to everyone going on-line all the time.'

Angus who comes from Bridgwater, Somerset said,  'The Queen’s head, it seemed to me, was going to disappear from stamps and be replaced with lots of other images and I felt I had to act. I just kept going and it has become more and more farcical. It’s gone undetected for so long now it is just silly.' Angus has produced around 50 individual stamp designs featuring him wearing Father Christmas beards, berets and eye patches, some of which even commemorate imagined occasions such as Upside Down Day.

After sending more than 100 letters, some going as far afield as Australia, Angus said 'Only one was returned after being exposed as false.' A spokesperson for Royal Mail said  'It was a crime to create or use counterfeit stamps. We will take the necessary steps to protect the integrity of stamps on behalf of the 29 million households and businesses we are honoured to serve. Royal Mail would do everything possible to stamp it out.'

Wakeboards on a canal near you.

Lincolnshire Police say they're conducting and investigation after a video was posted on-line of a man on a wakeboard being pulled along the flood bank by a Ferrari. The force says it's examining the footage, which was filmed near Boston to establish if any offences have been committed, such as excessive speed and the manner in which the car was driven.

I wonder if we could ask other police forces as well as Lincolnshire Police to monitor the speeds of cyclists along the towpath. To establish if any offences have been committed, such as excessive speed and the manner in which the cycle was being ridden.

You may remember the 'sharing the towpath' consultation where a lot of people highlighted the speed of cyclists when passing. I'm not expecting a sensible blanket speed limit to be set in the outcome of the 'consultation' because most CaRT outcomes never meet expectations. 

It will be ignored, because that could lead to the trust having to monitor the issue and be proactive in dealing with effectively. Wishy washy words will ensure its a simple case of no speed limit - no offence. I suppose it will be left to several coroners giving guidance before anything positive is done.   

I wrote an email to the trust last July asking if someone was available to come and witness the danger that walkers, joggers and boaters were being placed in. I thought it might be of some use to observe the situation and explore what could be done to at least mitigate the risk of speeding cyclists. I had an acknowledgement of my email in the afternoon. Its  a good job I did not stay and await CaRTs arrival - otherwise I would have been in the overstaying on visitor moorings enforcement process.

I reported some vandals breaking into a boat to the police. While chatting with the officers on the towpath outside the boat, there were cyclists whizzing past. One of the officers said it actually feels quite dangerous standing here.  In a matter of moments a police officer had investigated the scale of the problem. Six months later, even after a follow up email about the vandalism of boats - I'm still waiting for the trust to get back to me.

Another boater moored with us engaged a CaRT employee about the problems on the towpath. He was informed by one of the team that CaRT are 'well aware' of the issue. But there was nothing that could be done about it, 'until a serious accident occurs'. It was freely given advice to the boater and would also be presumably be freely given to anyone else who raises the issue. Now that is a pretty awful statement to make.

Remember: CaRT are 'well aware' of the issue. But there was nothing that could be done about it, 'until a serious accident occurs'. Well I for one don't want to be included in that statistic.

See the posting  Towpath Velodrome   for more background.

Cyclists on the towpath.

When I first came onto the canals and rivers the towpath was used by people for a wide variety of different purposes.  Some uses were quite unpleasant, such as when the towpath was used as a dog exercise area and latrine or for that perennial problem, householder fly tipping. At the same time, you would often see groups of walkers as well as the odd bird watcher and the ever present cohort of leisure or match fishermen. You would also see the occasional cyclist who would be limited in the speed of progress because of the conditions underfoot.

There was a gradual change and most noticeable was the decline in numbers of fishermen. Sections of canal and rivers which had been managed by fishing clubs seem to gradually fade as the numbers of users fell. The number of organised competitions matched the falling numbers of those having a days leisure fishing.

At this time there was a significant change in the cycling world. Now came the advent of the 'Mountain Bike' an all terrain vehicle, designed and built to tackle rough ground as the name would suggest. When you buy a bike, you make a choice of how you intend to use it. The off road cycling phenomena had arrived. Gas suspension, high grip tyres, multi-geared systems and disk brakes have taken over from the round town, sit up and beg cycles of yesterday. Now bikes are high performance vehicles with a price to match. Where at one time the towpath would have limited the speed of progress. Now cycling over rough terrain on a high performance bike is part of the challenge.

The trust in its wisdom has started to upgrade sections of the towpath - Which in itself is no bad thing. It has also started to encourage the public including cyclist to use the towpath. But in a Kafkaesque unintended consequence, at the same time creating a significant problem. There must be few boaters who have not experienced the high speed antics of a significant number of cyclists - why I know that when a cyclist is polite and considerate when passing. This is a note worthy and exceptional behaviour and not what normally transpires.

The Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine was 'clocked' speeding on his bike in Hyde Park. He was informed that the speed limit in Hyde Park is 5mph. Vine was travelling at more than three times the limit for the area at 16 mph. There are recognised speed limits both on our roads and in our parks. The speed limits are set to reduce accidents and especially fatalities. By way of comparison, there is no specific speed limit for cyclists on the towpath. Yes, that's right, there are maximum speed restrictions for boats, but the towpath is a no limit, free for all zone for cyclists.

Now as the Trust embarks on its 'charm offensive' for the cycling lobby.  As it now goes out of its way to bring families onto the towpath. You must question the sense in not having a blanket speed limit set for safety as there is in Hyde Park. Because if travelling at over 5mph in Hyde Park is considered as being dangerous. It will be equally if not more dangerous when confining walkers, anglers and boaters into a high speed danger zone.

Has the trust lost the plot - well by way of an example: As the 'Sustrans cycleways' (Note the change of name from towpath to cycleway) get rolled out along sections of canal. Canals such as the 'Basingstoke Canal'  where signs have been installed not giving the distance to places. But they do give the timings to places. So each is now set with a guide time - just what every cyclist needs - encouragement to see how quickly they can do the distance and by what amount they can break the timing.  

Sustrans claims that it is the pioneer of the 'Safe Routes' concept in the UK. Just as CaRT claims to be the answer to the vexed problem of maintaining the inland waterways infrastructure. You can't make it up!

I've joind the 'AA' (Amazon Anonymous)

We all know just what a terrible company Amazon can be -- tax dodging, low wages and temporary contracts. But it doesn't have to be this way.

We’re joining forces with the Amazon Anonymous campaign to go Amazon free this Christmas. The Guardian reported last month that Amazon stand to lose business worth £500,000 this season from the boycott. That's the power of collective action!

This is Amazon’s busiest time of year when it hopes we’re going to keep its virtual tills ringing. We can't make Amazon change over night, but we can begin with a powerful consumer boycott pledge. Let Amazon know that you'll be shopping elsewhere for presents this year.

Can you sign the Amazon free pledge and go Amazon free this Christmas?

There are plenty of great alternatives to shopping at Amazon. If you want books, try your local book shop. If it’s movies and DVDs, try Hive. They commit to donating a percentage of its profits to local independent retailers. If it’s gifts you’re after, you could even try John Lewis, owned and run by its staff. Whatever you need this Christmas, you don’t have to buy from Amazon.

It’s not easy, we know just how hard it is to quit. Christmas is rapidly approaching and that means a last minute frantic rush to buy presents. It’s tempting to just pop on Amazon and order everything you need. But it comes at a price -- in unpaid taxes, low wages and short term contracts.

SumOfUs was created so we can work together to take on big corporate baddies like Amazon. Just as it uses the internet to its advantage -- so can we. Whether you are an Amazon addict or have been Amazon-Free for a while, add your name to thousands of us pledging to avoid shopping Amazon this Christmas.

It's the time of boat chores. (4)

Cold days are not good for working in the the boats engine bay. Well not unless you run the engine for a while to create a nice warm engine block to sit on. I like to do this in cold weather. especially when I change the various fluids and filters. Yes, its that time of the year - its engine maintenance time. 

The engine alternator belts will need adjusting from time to time. We have two alternators on Rosie. One is for the engine starter battery rated at 40ah. The second alternator rated at 110ah maintains the leisure battery bank. The belts are also subject to wear over time. The trick is to find the right tension - if a belt squeals - it is too slack. Belts that are - too tight - can damage the alternator pulley bearings. I aim for half an inch of finger movement in the belts. I also use a conditioning spray to maintain them for as long as possible.

The last remaining engine job is to replace the Air Filter. Whilst the canal is not a dirty environment when it comes to air pollution. Filters do get blocked over time and I change the air filter every year.

We had a strange vibration which only occurred at one particular engine speed. When I inspected the engine mounting bolts I found that the one under the diesel filter had perished into a soft gooey mess. Diesel and engine mounting bolts don't mix. It's best to place absorbent material under any items that need periodic replacement like the engine mounted diesel filter cartridge. I counted the number of threads down the bolt and the replacement was set up with that same configuration. I rotated the prop shaft by hand after fitting the new mounting to make sure there were no tight spots. When testing with a running engine the vibration had gone away.

The next job is to check the prop shaft cushion drive and its associated bolts.  Before starting on repacking the stern gland. I never remove and replace all the packing in the stern gland. I just loosen off the nuts and slid the plate along the shaft. Giving me enough room to add some extra greased string into the gland. I finger tighten the bolts and then add half a turn before locking the bolts with the locking nut. The last item is to refill the stern greaser tube with waterproof grease. I always save the messy jobs until last. 

Spares: I like to keep a certain amount of spares and consumables on the boat. Apart from my tools I have fuses, alternator belts and oil filters, diesel filters, air filter, lengths of rubber hose and waterproof grease. I have lengths of electrical cable as well as a home made (get out of jail card) set of jumper leads to bridge the two battery banks. I have enough oil to do an engine oil change. The biggest item is a spare propeller!

It's the time of boat chores. (3)

Cold days are not good for working in the the boats engine bay. Well not unless you run the engine for a while to create a nice warm engine block to sit on. I like to do this in cold weather. especially when I change the various fluids and filters. Yes, its that time of the year - its engine maintenance time.

Changing the Gearbox Oil can be quite a challenge. We have a PRN-150 gearbox on the engine. This requires about 1 litre of the same oil grade as used in the engine. It is a once a year maintenance item.

The gearbox has a filler point on top of the gearbox and a very difficult to reach drain point on the bottom. If you are unable to perform contortionist movements. However, it is a much easier task to drain and refill via the filler point. 

 

To do this I use a small brass hand pump where the suction tube is placed inside the gearbox through the filler hole. A few strokes soon has the oil out. Which is collected into a plastic bottle for disposal. 

Refilling is achieved by using a small funnel with a flexible end. The gear box level is checked by using the dipstick built into the filler cap. Remember to screw all the way in when checking the level or there is a risk of over filling with oil.

At the end of the cruising year, I always fill the diesel tank to the top. This reduces the chance of condensation adding water into the diesel tank. Water which is heavier than diesel always sinks to the bottom.

Water in the diesel tank can create problems for the engine. The biggest problem being the infestation of diesel bug which needs water to bloom. There are anti diesel bug treatments available. My personal preference is for Marine 16.

Marine 16 diesel bug treatment, is a biocide formulated especially for preventing or eradicating organisms known collectively as diesel bug. A 100ml bottle is sufficient to prevent diesel bug growth in 2000 litres of fuel. Marine 16 disperses into both the fuel and the water in the diesel tank and will remain sufficiently active for over a year at both high and low temperatures. 

Marine 16's Diesel Bug Treatment is the fuel treatment of choice for the RNLI, The Royal Marines, Sea Start and River Canal Rescue as well as being number 1 in the Practical Boat Owner magazine review.

Water in your diesel tank is hard to spot before it is too late. The water trap filter can catch small amounts but will have to be drained off at regular periods. If you are getting significant amounts of water in the water trap. Then you will need to check for water contamination. I do this once a year using the diesel tank dip stick an a product called Kolor Kut.  I smear a small amount of Kolor Cut on the dipstick. 

Kolor Kut Water Finding Paste, otherwise known as Water Gauging Paste, is used to test for the presence of water in the bottom of oil, diesel and petrol tanks. 

The Kolor Kut paste is applied to a dipstick and dipped to the bottom of the tank. The section of the paste that touches water, will immediately turn a brilliant red upon contact. Then, when the dipstick is removed, you can determine the depth of the water in the tank by the amount of paste that has changed colour.