watervole: (Default)
Judith Proctor ([personal profile] watervole) wrote2014-07-18 12:24 pm

Narrowboats

 We're hoping to go on the canals in September.  We've provisionally booked a boat for 13 - 20 September, from a boatyard near Rugby.  The hire firm is Viking Afloat whom we've used many times before as we find their boats reliable and well maintained and their customer service to be excellent.

I'm still suffering from costochondritis, and there's a fair chance that I won't be up to heavy work like turning the windlass on lock paddles.  Thus, we'll be doing what we often do and throwing out an invitation for one or two people to join us.  ('Us' being myself, my husband Richard and our son Henry.)

It doesn't have to be someone we know well, we've taken gambles on acquaintances in the past and so far, it's always worked out.  (Kalypso V was a friend we didn't know well when she originally came with us, in fact, we'd never met in the flesh back then)

To fit well into our life on the canals, you need to meet most (but not necessarily all ) of the following criteria:

Be happy to spend a week with no TV and no computers (house rule - we're there to get away from it all and relax)

Switch off the mobile phone, apart from emergencies.

Like wildlife - half the point of the canals is to enjoy the countryside.

Be slim enough to get through the narrow corridors that are inevitable on a narrowboat.

Like board games - we play a lot of board games.  We're more than happy to teach the rules to new players and to play any you may choose to bring with you.

Like morris dancing/folk music.

Be fit enough to walk towpaths, push open heavy lock gates and wind up heavy paddles.

Like vegetarian food.  (We don't eat only veggie, but we do eat a lot of veggie)

The cost is £265 for a single person, or £211 each for a couple.

No previous experience of canals needed.

If you're interested, either reply here, or email judith.proctor@gmail.com
kerravonsen: The TARDIS: "Any place. Any time. (but not where you intended)" (tardis-any-place)

[personal profile] kerravonsen 2014-07-19 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
Not to mention, be in the same country. 8-P
feng_shui_house: cartoon me as Southpark Santa (Me Southpark)

[personal profile] feng_shui_house 2014-07-19 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I noticed that! I already failed on the food, fitness and computer addiction areas, though.
kerravonsen: Sydney with VR glasses on: "Lost in cyberspace" (VR.5)

[personal profile] kerravonsen 2014-07-20 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
I fail on the "slim" and "fit" criteria.
feng_shui_house: cartoon me as Southpark Santa (Me Southpark)

[personal profile] feng_shui_house 2014-07-20 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, "cuddly" and "couch potato" doesn't cut it on a narrowboat, or I'd be in with a chance.
feng_shui_house: me at my computer (Default)

[personal profile] feng_shui_house 2014-07-20 01:32 pm (UTC)(link)
I would be thrilled to suddenly become very energetic! But, alas, my body has other ideas. *pfft*

[identity profile] vjezkova.livejournal.com 2014-07-18 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Oooohhhh...I would very much like to go with you...No problem with your criteria:-)
However there are so many things that keep me here: My granddaughter and my daughter,my elderly and weakening mum, my overworked son, my biiig house, my garden and Badík and Ollie...
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[identity profile] watervole.livejournal.com 2014-07-19 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Would be wonderful if you could though...

[identity profile] vjezkova.livejournal.com 2014-07-19 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I am sure it would be a dream holiday for me!!!!
Thank you.
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[identity profile] watervole.livejournal.com 2014-07-20 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
You're very high on my mental list of people I'd love to share a holiday with.

[identity profile] vjezkova.livejournal.com 2014-07-20 09:05 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you - I am honoured!

[identity profile] decemberleaf.livejournal.com 2014-07-19 09:02 am (UTC)(link)
How I wish!! Bit of a problem with that ocean in the way...
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[identity profile] watervole.livejournal.com 2014-07-19 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Real pain that ocean!