Room to Moor

MAKE MORE ROOM TO MORE

This is the message to boaters in a new campaign to increase public mooring space on the freshwater River Thames.
The scheme, supported by the River Thames Alliance, encourages boaters to 'moor alongside' each other (also known as 'rafting out' and 'breasting up').
To kick start the campaign boat owners are being sent new 'welcome' stickers to display, which invite other boaters to moor alongside them, even if they are not aboard. The stickers come with a leaflet that explains how to moor alongside and gives handy tips on mooring etiquette.
Eileen McKeever, Thames waterway manager of the Environment Agency, said: "With the start of a busy boating season just around the corner, we want to make sure everyone enjoys their time on the Thames". Public 24-hour moorings often fill up very quickly in the high season and this can be very frustrating. Encouraging boaters to 'moor alongside' each other is a quick and easy way to tackle the problem, plus it's a great way to make new friends! We will continue working with landowners and local authorities to create new visitor moorings, but in the meantime we hope boaters will help by displaying the 'welcome' sticker and sharing their enjoyment of the river."
The campaign comes just months before the start of 'Summer on the Thames' - a season of events and festivals, including the Beale Park Thames Boat Show (June 9 - 11) and the National Festival and Boat Show (August 25 - 28), which will see hundreds of extra boats making their way onto the river.
'Make more room to moor' is supported by the River Thames Alliance - a public/private sector partnership dedicated to improving planning, facilities and access to the non-tidal River Thames.

Personally I have to say that having spent a lot of time on the Thames, (we were previously moored at the Thames And Kennet Marina, Reading), I can't wait to see the first NarrowBoat moored alongside 250.000 pounds worth of Gin Palace! Quite simply the culture of Narrow boaters and cruiser boaters are too diverse for this to work and have any great effect on the current mooring situation. Drop me an email with your thoughts or put your comments in our Guest Book.

Red Diesel

'Quite a few people have emailed me regarding the latest on Red Diesel. This I believe is the latest news. If you know any different then please let me know!'

'Diesel destined for marine use is currently given a chemical colour mark of red and the price per litre is kept at a lower level than the white diesel used on the roads, due to a reduced rate of duty. Marine diesel presently costs between about 45p and 50p per litre. The Council of the European Union specifies minimum levels of duty for mineral fuels by issuing directives to member countries. Diesel fuel used for commercial purposes currently enjoys reduced rates, and the UK is among countries that have a derogation to extend this saving to pleasure craft.

This exemption is due to cease on 31st December
2006. '

Marine industry welcomes Government's statement on red diesel.

Marine industry leaders and boat users warmly welcomed the Government's statement on 5th December that it is minded to apply to renew the derogation for private pleasure craft to use red diesel.
The four key bodies involved in the campaign to retain red diesel for boaters are the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), the British Marine Federation (BMF), the Inland Waterways Association and the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers.
Howard Pridding, Executive Director of the BMF said: "It is great news for users and for the marine industry that the Government has decided that it is minded to apply to keep the derogation that allows private pleasure craft to use red diesel. The Government has listened carefully to all who have campaigned to keep the derogation over the last eighteen months and has realised the potential damage to participation and to the marine industry if the derogation were to lapse."
Neil Northmore, Government Relations Adviser at the RYA added: "The RYA and BMF warmly welcome the Government's statement but we are conscious that this battle is not over yet. The next step is to persuade the EU Commission to accept the UK's application to renew the derogation and that is a significant challenge. We will continue to work together with the UK Government to put forward the strongest possible case to win the argument in Europe."

Heavens Above!

Take A Look Up!


Although Astronomy has interested me since I was about 7 years old I still can't help but be amazed by some of the wonderful sights I've seen over the years. Iridium Flares, Fireballs and Meteors for example, simply by taking the time to look up at a beautiful starry sky!
Take last night for instance....
After a lovely sunset with near cloudless skies I wrapped up, coffee & binoculars at the ready and sat at the back of 'Quidditch' to watch the scene unfold.
The moon, around 85% full, was already shinning brightly to the East. Also rising to the East just below Gemini the Twins, was the magnificent planet of Saturn, by 10pm it's posing high in the East! A good pair of binoculars can make out the rings. Mars was also showing well, high up and to the right of the moon.
The Winter constellation of Orion, easily defined by his 3 star belt, was also rising majestically to the South-East.
To top it all however and the main reason for being here tonight, was to watch the transit from West to East of the Internatinal Space Station. At around 5pm there she was, a bright star like object moving gloriously across the sky. You have to use your imagination to a degree! Even a good pair of binoculars will still only show a bright star like object, but what the hey, there are people in that there thing and their circling the Earth every 90 minutes! To top it all off was a bright meteor which streaked across the Plough around 7pm. (Thats the constellation, not the pub!)
So the next time your out and about and the stars are shining...
TAKE A LOOK UP! You never know what you'll see..
To find out when the ISS is passing over your area visit my Astro-Met site..

'Quidditch' New Year Cruise

Above.... John takes a last lingering look at the Oxford Canal from bridge 104, a stretch he knows very well. John & Pat's 57' Narrowboat Hoddydod is having a complete overhaul this year & then being taken over to France where they will tour the French waterways.
Above Right... I take the helm of 'Quidditch' on our way back to the Marina on New Years Day.


As planned John & Pat arrived around noon on New Years Eve and we duly set off for Bridge 103 on the Oxford /Grand Union Canal.
Pictured above right... Pat, John & Daria pose with 'Quidditch'
Left... Daria sits with her back to the cold northerly!
I have to say that the Wigram's to Braunston stretch resembled something like the M25 on New Years Day. What was even more of a surprise was the amount of boats who moored at bridge 103.
At midnight we watched the distant fireworks of Rugby, Leamington and Daventry, having enjoyed a great meal form Daria and lots of bubbly! Good food, good wine, good friends...