OT and yo-ho-ho: canal boats

A bunch of us are allhitting the big five-oh next spring, at roughly the
same time, and we've hired a few narrowboats (three or four, I can't
remember) and are going to spend a week bimbling around somewhere near
Stratford on Avon. I can't remember exactly - someone else has the maps
and details.

I am buying a yachting cap and a brass telescope. It has to be done.

Anyway, as I understand it, there's a lot of opening and shutting locks,
and a lot of pubs to be visited. In fact, it seems to be a water-borne
pub crawl.

I don't know what one does in he evenings, when the boat is tied to the
land, anchored, in dry dock or whatever the nautical terminology is, but
I suspect it involves pubs.

All useful tips, hints, experiences, from those who've done this sort of
thing welcome. I'm all ears.

 

I did it 3 years on the trot as a teenager with 7 mates.

A fucking blast.

Yr 1 was Grand Union Canal, around MK area ish. Loads of pubs, I fell
in the canal at Slapton, and we got busted for speeding at Wolverton.
Yr 2 Was Norfolk Broads on a cruiser - we ended up destroying a small
sail boat in a marina. Also tied the boat up at high tide in great
yarmouth. It was distinctly lop sided when we got back to it.
Yr 3 Was supoposed to be canal from Stratford up to Brum, but the canal
level was so low we grounded almost immediately. Turned back and did
the river network down to Worcester. Again, bloody good fun. Canal
boat bog was a suction type. Lasted 3 days with us lot on board, we
needed an emergency pump out.

I are mostly envious now.

--
Dan L

Too much time to think, too little to do.


http://thebikeshed.spaces.live.com/
1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr

BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005/6/7)
X-FOT#000
DIAABTCOD #26
BOMB#18 (slow)
OMF#11

 

We do it every year - what do you want to know?

You appear to have the basics (pub crawl) well in hand.

You will need a lot more than the cap - I would advise a full dress
admirals uniform for the person doing the booking - more gold braid will
get you a bigger discount[1].

The locks are just one of the hazards between pubs.

To get the best from your trip it is advisable to get up very late,
cruise for an hour or so then start looking for a mooring for the night
next to a pub.

[1] When you turn up, sombody will say "Look at dis count"[2]
[2] The more gold braid, the more people will say it.

 

Dan L wrote:

You have to watch for those suction bogs - if the driver speeds up the
engine you can get sucked inside out.
I recommend always keeping a finger under your bum to be able to break
the suction in emergencies.

 

MikeH wrote:

Ours was a handcrank job, wiv a proper porcelain crapper, none of your
blue plastic elsan rubbish i'll have ye know.

--
Dan L

Too much time to think, too little to do.


http://thebikeshed.spaces.live.com/
1996 Kawasaki ZR1100 Zephyr

BOTAFOT #140 (KotL 2005/6/7)
X-FOT#000
DIAABTCOD #26
BOMB#18 (slow)
OMF#11

 

Item 350001841664 on Ebay uk.

 

Absolutely. A Coarse Sailor - one who in an emergency forgets
nautical language and shouts 'For God's sake turn left!!'

 

I hired a boat on the Thames a few years ago and went from Chertsey to
Oxford and back. I'd been on a canal boat before and found the river
to be more fun because you can race other boats and there's more to
see.

It was a riot involving starting on the beer at about 10am and getting
more and more pissed as the day went on. I ran the boat aground
several times, ripped big lumps out of overhanging trees and upset as
many fishermen as possible.

We usually moored up at about 4pm to ensure a decent spot, the time
isn't wasted because you can have an early meal and then get some more
quality time in drinking alcohol.

 

Almost eveyone the first time forgets to untie the boat in the lock as
it begins to fill/empty...

Ebay item: 260188716536

 

Ho yuss.

 

My Dad has a narrow boat on the Kennet and Avon - well my parents live in
Devizes and he goes off and tours the country March to September. Mum
just visits him from time to time whatever part of the country he's in.
I think he went up to Manchester this year.

It's all a bit more civilised than a caravan and is useful when we visit
as it means I don't have to stay in the house.

 

If copious quantities of real ale are involved, make sure that the you
moor up next to an off-boat toilet. Or ensure that you're first into the
bog in the morning.

This message is brought to you courtesy of the Brecon and Monmouth Canal
and Old Speckled Hen

 

Wotcha.

Oh dear - I'm afraid I'm a member of that particular club too ;-)

 

Now someone else has hinted about the intricacies of narrow-boat khazis.

What do I need to know here???

 

Remind me again: why did I agree to go to freeze my unspeakables off
with you in Germany?

 

I may have a brass telescope you could borrow, sonny.

 

Are the age and the number of "can't remember" linked ?

 

uk.rec.waterways will be your friend...

 

Time for a name change TOG. Maybe "The Young Sprog"? 50 places you WAY
outside the "older" arena.

That's exactly what canal boating is about.

Indeed. You'll find Morris dancing, folk singing, rug making and bird
calling all within reach of every lock gate.

My sister flogged her canal boat because life was too hectic on the water.
She was 50 though, so you've got 10 years before the life catches up with
you.


--
Beav

VN 750
Zed 1000
OMF# 19

 

A friend of mine sort of died this way... fell overboard at night when
oaring his way back to the sailboat moored in the middle of the harbour.
They found his body several miles away, outside the harbour.

A funnier thing happened to me and 2 people I was sailing with. We got
badly pissed in pub in the Ile de Groix in Brittany on New Year's Eve,
and when we came tp the harbour to get back in the boat, the tide was
high again, and the boat was afloat in the middle of the dock. We sort
of "borrowed" a dinghy (but this was a one-seat one), and of course,
with three heavy drunkards aboard, the damn thing capsized in the very
cold water. Feeble attempts to swim despite the heavy winter gear,
thoughts of imminent death, yells for help (which no one answered),
until one of us feels something hard under his foot... and stands up in
3 feet of water...