Few days on a narrowboat

You should have explained to your friends your problem and I am sure they would have understood.

You're right venall. They know now. I really thought the idea was to go and visit the narrowboat for the day, but it sort of grew into 4 nights on board.
I just hoped against hope that I would be fine - I managed well when I went to Cropredy a couple of years ago. It kinda comes and goes. This time it came!

I'm surprised they had this rule. Not to get too technical it's the urine that makes the bulk of the waste (and any smell).

Solids get broken down to harmless substances.

maddy47
First of all, your IBS. Get yourself on the Symprove program. I've been on it for 2 years, marvellous.
Now the toilet situation on the canal boat.
There's only one reason people don't put solids in the chemical toilet: they don't have to empty it so often.

Up your fruit and veg intake, so that nothing is quite solid!

Seriously though - I brought my two kids up on a narrowboat, from birth to mid teens, and have never heard anything so ridiculous. If you can't use it for natural solids, it simply ain't a toilet!
I am guessing that the toilet in question was a 'pump-out', rather than an old-fashioned 'bucket-and-chuck-it', and the main aim was to discourage you from putting anything down the toilet that might block things up during the pumping-out process (whole apples, for example).

I would have taken a supply of puppy pads and a roll of bin bags Line the bowl with a bin bag put a puppy pad in let your IBS do it's thing and when finished tie up bin bag and dispose at first opportunity -worked for my ibs in liquids only caravan loo for years !

Hey GrauntyHelen, what a bloody good idea. But what is a puppy pad?? May be invited back and this seems like the answer.

And, MamaCaz, whole apples????? All toilet paper was put in a bin - like Greece. Always find this a bit traumatic too. Oh how I miss my bidet when we travel.

Graunty Helen, I do like your practical attitude and ability[flower]

A ‘puppy pad’ is a square pad with soft layers and a plastic backing (not great for the environment- something I ask myself about all the time). It’s about 18” square. Designed to put by the door when house training puppies.

I'd be putting a litter tray under the bed.

And, MamaCaz, whole apples?????

Yes, maddy47.
We often used to stop by on the Macclesfield canal at the marina of a lovely, if somewhat excentric gentleman, and amongst his more amusing tales, he would often update us on the latest 'solid' item to have blocked up his pumping-out equipment while emptying a hireboat toilet. Apples were one of the more common items!

maddy47 if you should be invited back again, I'd suggest that you offer to pay for a toilet pump out (about £15) at the end of your stay and then relax about the toilet arrangements!

I can't think of a much more off-putting experience. Such a shame! If you get the chance to spend time on a narrowboat again, I hope the toilet arrangements are satisfactory and you realise what an enjoyable break it can be.