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Canals
Is anyone interested in sharing a narrowboat for a week, probably starting the last Saturday or Sunday in August?
We really need a 4th person to share with me, husband and son. Will suit someone who likes the country, board games, things fannish and some music.
If interested, ask for details.
We really need a 4th person to share with me, husband and son. Will suit someone who likes the country, board games, things fannish and some music.
If interested, ask for details.
Details
a pro-rata share of whatever we spend on food. We don't bother calculating food
costs too exactly, just ask people to toss in roughly what feels like a quarter.
Location - likely to be around the Midlands - there's a lot of good canals and
locks. We'll probably pass through Birmingham (more miles of canal than
Venice) as well as some very pretty bits of open countryside.
Time - it's possible for someone to rendzvous with us away from the canal base
if necessary, but you will need a good map and a helpful taxi driver if you try
this. (We've done it before, but trying to predict when a boat will arrive at
an exact point is tricky) Starting and ending at the hire base is best. (ie.
You can do less than a week if necessary, but a full week is easier)
Packing. The boats have a fair amount of storage space, but use holdalls/bags
rather than suitcases so that they can be folded flat and tucked in the bottom
of cupboards. There's nowhere to store suitcases (unless you unpack totally
before we leave and keep the empty suitcase in your car at the hire base.
Packing to go home is easier if you have your bags on board.)
No smoking on the boat (I know you don't smoke, but I'm just listing this in
case anyone else wants details)
No TV. (They offer us one every year and we turn it down)
No mobile phones except in emergencies.
No e-mail
rules, but nothing else. The idea of going on the canals is to leave everything
else behind and unwind.
Computers are okay as long as they are used for activities that include other
people on the boat (such as composing songs or stories).
Books are fine. We often get a lot of reading done.
Cooking is done by those who want to cook. Usually Richard unless we have
someone else along who likes cooking (which would presumably include you).
We're omnivores, which means you'll get some vegetarian meals as well as meat
ones.
Dishwashing is done by everyone, but primarily by those who don't cook.
Steering is done by everyone. It takes about ten mins to master basic steering
and about 3 locks to be confident on steering through locks. It's not
difficult. On a straight stretch, I can steer and play the concertina at the
same time. (I'm the one who steers least as it can make my shoulder play up)
Operating locks. All locks are manually operated by the boat crew.
Fortunately, the three of us all enjoy operating locks. If you aren't fit at
the start of the week, you will be by the end!
Games - we play a lot of board games when on holiday and most games work best
with four players. (I don't know if you remember, but Henry was running the
board games at Concourse - this may give you an idea of the size of our games
collection)
Music - I'm the member of the family who really enjoys music and the canals are
often where I get a chance to indulge. Anyone who enjoys playing or singing is
doubly welcome. That goes for good listeners too.
Narrowboats - come with shower, hot water, proper kitchen, beds with mattresses,
etc. Look at the web site for Viking Afloat to get an idea.
Clothing - the boats have central heating, but steering is done from the
outside, so you need to be prepared for any kind of weather from roasting (I
recall one summer where I was steering in a bikini) to cold and pouring with
rain. Good waterproofs are handy. There's often a set provided with the boat,
but it helps to have some of your own.
Wildlife - we usually travel with a supply of books for identifying various
things - though usually end up just saying - look, there's a heron.
Feeding ducks - lots of opportunities. Very theraputic.
Pubs - we don't bother much as a rule. Occasionally stop for a meal for a
change, but we none of us drink much and Henry's only 16 in any case.
Linen - bedding is provided. Bring your own towel!
It's enormous fun and very relaxing. We've done this most years for the last 15
years or so.
Re: Details