LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

IT MAY BE THE SHORTEST MONTH OF THE YEAR BUT, THERE'S STILL PLENTY TO DO.....

So we survived January and we are heading into the month of February, also known as the month of love. Lets spread the love this month amongst our friends and family and not forgetting our beloved narrow boats too!

THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH

 

 

Carry Out These Simple Safety Procedures

This month is as good as any to give your boat a little TLC. Maintaining your vessel is not something you should keep putting of. If you don't want to deal with this yourself speak to your local marina and see if they offer a maintenance service.

This month check the following to keep you and your crew safe;

Ventilation. Your boat needs proper ventilation to help prevent the build-up of mildew and carbon monoxide poisoning. Clean out any build-up of dust and grease to allow them to work correctly.

Buoyancy Aids. Life jackets are now much more comfortable to wear especially the self-inflating ones. We strongly recommended that life jackets are worn when out of the cabin by: single handed boaters, children, and non-swimmers. Traditional lifebuoys should also be kept on board for back up.

Have An Annual Gas Appliance Check. Organise for a Gas Safe registered engineer to come and check your appliances. Things you can do yourself; make sure all joints are tight on the pipes & regulators. Ensure the hose connections are protected as much as possible.

Smoke and CO Detectors. If you have these devices on board already check they are in good working order if you don’t then you should fit and test them regularly. Replace drained batteries immediately. These devices could save your life make sure you are protected.

Fire extinguishers and blankets. It is advisable to have a powder extinguisher on board. The small 1kg extinguisher will last about 6-8 seconds; larger ones will last longer but take up more space so smaller ones may be easier to store. Also have a fire blanket these are very useful and they create less mess than a fire extinguisher.

First Aid Box. A well-stocked first aid kit is a basic essential that every boat should have on board. You should be able to treat minor accidents like cuts, bites, burns and sprains. Make sure the box is re-stocked after use.

Hand Gel. Weil ’s disease can occur from canal water and it isn’t always practical to get to the sink to wash your hands. So keep a small tub of hand gel in your pocket to help keep your hands clean and minimise risk.

Safety Demo. For anyone new to boating who is going to be traveling/staying on board with you, its advisable that they know a few things about the boat which will keep them safe whist with you. Give them a tour of the boat and show them where the equipment is kept and how to use it. Also go through things they should and shouldn't do whilst cruising.

KEEP FIT INSPIRATION

If you didn't get on the fitness train last month don't worry you can jump on board right now. Try and get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to keep you fit and healthy.

Look at doing some daily exercise that will raise your heart rate, if you are just  starting out start with taking a brisk walk each day this is a good starting place. Then work yourself towards more energetic exercise like boxing, body combat, badminton, tennis, running, HITT, trampolining. There's plenty of sports on offer to help keep you fit and healthy.

*Always seek your doctors advice before starting any new life style change.

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HEART HEALTHY

Schedule a Yearly Checkup. Your heart is in your hands... Get Physical...Eat Healthy...Control Cholesterol... Cut Down on Salt...

Cut down on Alcohol... Quit Smoking... Maintain a Healthy Weight... Stay Positive!

FOODIE IDEAS FOR FEBRUARY

Want to know what to eat in February? Warming winter vegetables like squash and sprouts are still in abundance, as are apples and pears and juicy oranges - delicious in baked desserts. Game is on the menu for one more month, or if you prefer something a little lighter, there's many a fish swimming in our seas including skate, salmon, cod. The glut of spring's seasonal foods may not have arrived yet, but February's seasonal ingredients are plentiful enough to ensure a month of delicious seasonal dishes. So lets start cooking...

THIS MONTHS TOP BOATING TIP We recommend creating a personalised handbook for your boat. This will serve you well whilst owning the boat and will be a useful if/when you come to sell the boat in the future. In your hand book you can include; Contact details for your; surveyor, marina, chandlery etc. Maintenance issues Winterisation jobs Service Information How to use the plumbing system Insurance and other boat documents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY WE CELEBRATE....

	It may be the shortest month of the year but there is plenty going on... Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, Valentines Day, World Nutella Day, Lame Duck Day, Boy Scout Anniversary Day, National Read in the Bath Tub Day, National PTA Founders Day, International Mother Language Day, National Margarita Day, International Sword Swallowers Day, National Pancake Day
	Looks like we are going to be busy!

LOOKING FOR A VALENTINES PRESENT?
YOU WILL LOVE THIS APP!

WaterNav –  The essential waterways companion. River Canal Rescue’s WaterNav is available as a PC- based software or it can be downloaded as an App for your phone. This essential cruising companion combines an information system and route planner with sat nav, covering all of the inland waterways in the UK. Equally useful for walkers and cyclists, WaterNav’s comprehensive database contains thousands of points of interest, including pubs, restaurants, boatyards, places to visit, doctors, vets and many more.

There are eight separate cruising areas based on the cruising rings, simply download the one you want to cruise and start to experience the benefits of having key information at your fingertips.

You can also download the Apps for FREE when you purchase the PC version of WaterNav.Once downloaded, WaterNav requires NO internet connection as all maps are stored on to your device. Simply pin-point your location using in-built GPS, plan your route and use the intuitive filters to search for what you need

BOATING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY

Puppet Theatre Barge - The Red Balloon
14th January 2017, 11am to 19th March 2017, 5pm
Puppet Theatre BargeHead along to the Puppet Theatre Barge for their performance of 'The Red Ballon'Boats moored along towpath of canal

Chester Canal heritage trust talk: 'Industry and the canals, inclined planes, tunnels and shafts of Shropshire'
1st February 2017, 8pm to 9:30pm
Boughton Hall Cricket Club As part of a series of winter talks, head along to a talk hosted by Tony Hirst.

St Pancras Open Weekend
4th February 2017, 10am to 5th February 2017, 4pm
St Pancras Lock Come along to St Pancras Open Weekend, and take a look at the works happening around the site.

IWA towpath walks, Regents Canal: Little Venice - Camden
5th February 2017, 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Warwick Avenue Tube Station
Get your walking boots on as you walk from Little Venice to Camden.A restoration and repair open day

Stoke Bruerne Open Weekend
11th February 2017, 10am to 12th February 2017, 4pm
Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne
Come along to Stoke Bruerne Open Day, to take a look at the winter works happening around the site.

Lock 17 Fradley Junction Open Weekend
18th February 2017, 10am to 19th February 2017, 3pm
Junction Lock 17Head along to Lock 17 for the Fradley Junction Open Weekend.

Walking along the canal IWA Towpath walks - The Olympics, Bow Back Rivers
19th February 2017, 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Bow Back Rivers. Get your walking boots on as you take in a walk around the Olympic site and Bow Back Rivers.

Limehouse Social Market
25th February 2017, 10am to 29th April 2017, 5pm
Limehouse Social Market

COME AND VISIT US SOON, WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU!