Canal archive

Looking at the film it would seem there is not to much damage to the gate grooves if the steeples can be dropped in. I suspect the boat companies or their insurance companies would be to happy using a lock as suggested.

Finally managed to open the pictures, thank goodness it happened to what looks like the bottom gates, now the challenge is keeping an eye on the water pressure on the top gates.

Sounds likely Notamermaid and so right about the concrete, I wouldn’t like to be a diver working in those conditions. Let’s hope the barge driver was given an alcohol/ drugs test as if he/she passed that it would lean towards technical problems.

The entrance to the lock chamber will need to be damed before any work can commence, I’ve only had experience of canals where technically there is no flow so rivers are much more difficult to work with. I’m not really surprised at the length of time estimated as I suspect they are really concerned about the amount of underwater damage. Underwater filming is difficult at any time but this time of year I suspect almost impossible. Fingers crossed the damage is not to horrendous.

Hummmmmm now how could we work that one! Although I’m pretty sure he will be far to busy what with handling the reindeer as well. noradsanta.org

Get your kids older and younger watching Santa circumnavigate the globe via NORAD fantastic for kids of all ages.

Just so Jazz should have made myself clear on the chuck-able sock situation. A guy I played badminton with used to as to as he put it ‘kick-start’ jumbo jets his stories of what had caused problems would make anyone’s hair stand on end, even if they didn’t have any.

Be careful if old St Nick has his sidekick Black Pete (doesn’t sound quite so ‘non u’ in German) with him as he evidently can be a bit of a trickster, but maybe that’s only in Holland. Wonderful legend (or is it a legend) and great fun for the kids.

We’re just waiting for the above to hit us as promised. Yes wear your walking boots to travel in (wore my timberlands once and caused trouble at Schiphol because the security ladies had never seen them before and wanted to know where I had got them from) you don’t need to wear them during the flight just take a pair of heavy socks to pad around in.

Although as far as I was aware the non use of the upper deck was well known when cruising the Maine but when thinking of it don’t forget the horrendous river boat accident a few years ago on the waterway when the wheelhouse was retracted incorrectly and a couple of the crew lost their lives and a few passengers were injured.

Ours, two, five years apart with Scenic were superb and only for our boats complement. I have been to one when on holiday not a river cruise it was more packed with people and did not have the same relaxed vibe. That’s been my experience.

Make sure your hand warmers can clear customs I’ve seen some not make the cut. I’ve knitted more pairs of fingerless gloves especially for youngsters and their phones but that will soon become unnecessary as all phones become voice activated.

It may be a benefit to you that on the majority of European river cruises you would be able to leave the boat at least once a day and walk for say half an hour or more, would this help alleviate your symptoms.

Look out for silk, sock liners and or tights and undershirts you will not believe how warm they are and of course light weight and take up no room at all. Mountaineers and Motorcyclists have been keeping themselves warm this way for years.

I’m pretty sure that Canadian passengers for river cruises are not all forwarded through the U.K. I agree with Sharkster about the 7 days but be warned our first was a 7 day and DH was not best pleased but then he was hooked. I’m sure most cruise companies would advise, Schiphol, Holland is huge hub airport and many cruises start there. Good luck with your research, enjoy your eventual choice and any questions just ask, there are far more knowledgeable than myself on these boards.

Plus trying to see the big 5 or 7, depending on your park of choice would entail speeding through game parks this is not recommended as several of the indigenous species seem to agree that it’s a great game thought up by us humans for there enjoyment and eventually dinner!

I have not, over the years so far heard a bad word about Tauck as a river cruise company. On there British website it indicates ‘premium spirits’ so if they fail in this instance they would fall fowl of representation regulations. You may say it’s in the eye of the beholder and yes it is that beholder could easily be an on the ball legal eagle. Joking apart I seriously doubt that a well respected company like Tauck would mess up in this instance. The fact that it’s North American makes no difference.

Pity.

We got the storm - big time, rather a lot of flooding and trees blown down we were up in town (London) celebrating our youngest daughters 50TH and Grandson becoming a proper teenager we all had a fantastic time but the journey home was just a tad difficult but regardless of fallen trees flooded roads we made it in our super dooper new Mini in one piece. And they named our storm Bert!

Good grief what are these ships Captains doing, grounding! So inconvenient - bet he/she was red faced.

Also not sure about Scenic as they do close the River Cafe at ‘dinner time’ but they do have room service ship wide so ———- now the lounge wouldn’t work but I’m sure one of the deck sections would, it would be a case of try it and see. Go for it start a new trend do either of your other cruise choices do room service?

Denarius have you got the Stetson to go with that, I must say superb Bolo? I would have thought that any crew officer worth his salt would have realised the situation regarding the service and had a word to the waiting staff or their boss about it, as I suspect an order from their boss to curry favour was the reason. In my a lot younger days and on dry land it’s something that happened to me.

Jazz were you a comic illustrator in a former life or are you just amazing at discovering the best illustration for the funniest situations. In this case superb! When my DH retired he donated all his suits, white shirts and amazing tie collection, to our local charity shop - warning there have been a few times, not many, that he has regretted this decision.

Bowler Lady - so brave! and I really mean that.

Let’s hope your awarded the Deerstalker, violin and pipe and is your sidekicks name Watson by chance?