Recent content by Old Crusty

Yes, do do it. The EA/DEFRA/APPG need to understand the level of satisfaction or otherwise amongst boaters. They rely on our apathy as an excuse to continue to diminish the facility.

Such devices would require an EA accommodation licence for starters.

Your proposal exists under Article 16 of the Inland Waterways Order.

I had the job of arranging for the last 25 tubs of caustic soda to be removed from Shepperton Nav office boat shed. They were taken away to be destroyed at some fanciful cost to the pubic purse. There has been no investigation into the use of other lock chamber cleaning options to my knowledge...

At Romney, a certain summer relief lockie known to me some 10 years ago, used to scrub the chamber stair wells then apply a 50/50 solution of bleach and river water to the walls and steps to delay the growth of algae. It worked a treat. I believe it does upset the ecology of the river...

Before I worked at the EA, I had over 20 years of boating on the Thames, not to mention another 20 years' recreational sea time, and was oblivious to the politics and so called irritants. I just enjoyed it for what it was in order to escape the daily grind of the pub industry and the people who...

Please direct me to the byelaws that cover paddleboards, I've not seem them, thanks.

That's all revenue spend, no need for capital to achieve all that, just the will.

The h&s matter was the fatality at Shepperton. Since then, use of all tools has been banned, including hand tools. The EA fitters are at home awaiting training on how to use a screwdriver while the lock staff await training to use a lawn mower, in the case of some, the mowers they've been...

The issues raised have been escalated to the CEO.

The frustration with the current crop of underperforming managers is boiling over amongst many retired EA staff.

Its also a two person job, one to pressure wash, one to manage the lock raft/assist with transiting boats/cut the grass/make tea/wave at boaters/fill in the accident report.

Its all fine now, the EA has hired Jack Aubrey to hunt down and sink, burn or take as a prize, any marauders coming through Teddytown Lock.

If you do pop into Windsor, wander up Castle Hill and inspect the bottom of the round tower where you will find small crosses carved into the stonework. The crosses mark the spot where the bones of the dead fell after rogues, vagabonds and traitors were condemned to starve to death and to rot in...

Now look, you don't fly an ensign, you wear one. Flags are flown, ensigns are worn, simples. :p