Re: Beginner planning narrowboat vacation


"cottonchipper" <cottonchipper@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:21927f76-41e8-4cc3-ae6b-c718da1ae046@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I'm from the U.S. and have become intrigued with the idea of traveling
to the UK and spending a few days on a rented narrowboat. From what
I've been able to gather, England seems to have the greatest
availability of routes and rentals, but are there other countries I
should consider as well?

Also, in order to win over my wife and another couple to the idea of a
narrowboat vacation, I am looking for a DVD that I could show them to
show them what it's all about. Do any of the rental companies have
DVD's that you know of?

And finally, I'd like to hear some opinions about what time of year is
best to take a vacation of this type in the UK?



Why not order a DVD to get a feel of canalling from the collection at http://www.canalshop.co.uk/acatalog/dvds.html
Also if you get the map
Map of the Waterways (Canal Boat) Ref: 648
from the same place it will show you the complete waterways of Britain so that you can identify the different canals (see comment below about narrow canals)

There are a myriad of good hire companies... these are just a few of the good ones I have tried;
http://www.black-prince.com/
http://www.andersenboats.com/counties.htm
http://www.alvechurch.com/frameset_holidays.html
http://www.viking-afloat.com/holiday.htm....... this hire company has a perfect arrangement for 2 couples..with bedrooms being at opposite ends of the boat and 2 bathrooms... see 57 foot boats.... and get a boat with central heating!

The ideal type of canal to start is on the "narrow" canals as opposed to broad canals or rivers in my opinion, which are identified on the above referred map.
These canals can only accomodate 1 boat in the lock which is in my opinion both safer and also avoids you having to open the paddles on the locks in the correct order to "pin" the boat against the lock wall to prevent colliding with adjacent boats in the same lock.
Quite a few of us Brits usually get our first taste of being on a boat on the Norfolk broads (also shown on the map referred to), however I believe once you have tried the canals and the occasional lock you will not be satisfied with going on the Norfolk Broads which has no locks whatever....but is a less expensive hire.

You do not say your age... because some sections can be quite exhausting due to the frequency of the locks, however as a starter I would suggest hiring from the British Midlands ... in and around Birmingham area to within 50 miles or so. Perhaps one of the nicest areas is the Shropshire Union canal between Wolverhampton and Chester (Chester has loads of history going back to Roman times and very upmarket shops... Boodles the jewellers being just one).... or the Staffordshire and Worcestershire between Penkridge and Stourport.
The Llangollen canal is admittedly lovely, however it is very popular and can get congested at the occasional staircase lock and at Llangollen itself, although the aqueduct which is 118 feet high is breathtaking. The Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union canal also has some beautiful scenery and excellent pubs along the way.

The problem about the UK is weather, hence the reference above to getting a boat with proper central heating. Except in exceptional years the only decent dependable weather is in August... and maybe into early September although I note what others say about spring and autumn. Take this month as an example.... up to this week the weather has been relatively poor for July, and here we are in the 3rd week of July!... quite a lot of rain this month, and rain and wind is one bit of "weather" you could do without when boating.

When you have decided which canal you wish to try.... again go to http://www.canalshop.co.uk/acatalog/pearsons.html
to order a canalling map... which shows in far more detail than the previous map anything you are likely to need as a canaller. It will show the areas for mooring, the pubs and how good they are, the stores or supermarkets, the water points, rubbish disposal places and everything you will need to know to plan your journey in detail. I personally like these maps because they wax lyrical about the history of the places you pass as well as going into some detail of the scenery and surroundings as well as the practical essentials.

Do come.... I guarantee on your last day when you return the boat to the hirer you will have a heavy heart... but also some marvellous memories to compensate.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Trip Report - Bellegarde to Le Somail (Longish) Final Part
    ... hrs and, the good news was that the rain had stopped. ... days this meant that a boat could be moved through the structure ... almost like passing through a lock but on the level. ... canals and are acknowledged as one of the wonders of the early canal ...
    (uk.rec.waterways)
  • Re: Beginner planning narrowboat vacation
    ... Map of the Waterways Ref: ... from the same place it will show you the complete waterways of Britain so that you can identify the different canals ... These canals can only accomodate 1 boat in the lock which is in my opinion both safer and also avoids you having to open the paddles on the locks in the correct order to "pin" the boat against the lock wall to prevent colliding with adjacent boats in the same lock. ...
    (uk.rec.waterways)
  • Discovery Real Time Boxing day and Night
    ... spends the day with the Wooden Canal Boat Society ... a woman who travels by ... while Anita and Lynn discuss how the canals are the ... Narrated by Timothy West ...
    (uk.rec.waterways)
  • Re: museums again
    ... of the two boys, I think he would have been about fifteen, had an air rifle ... dripping before we had the cakes for tea, ... > a boat with their mum. ... I didn't know anything about canals at that age and to meet ...
    (uk.rec.waterways)
  • Re: museums again
    ... boat with their mum. ... I didn't know anything about canals at that age and to meet two ... The boys mum was wonderful and made us tea in the back cabin. ...
    (uk.rec.waterways)
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