Canal Boating

(September 2008)

It wasn’t by chance that I choose to live on the canals today. The dream started some 40 years ago, (when I was married) and in my own business.

It was my accountant and his family, who took the first canal holiday and later related their experiences. It sounded an ideal active holiday with a difference, at the same time being interesting and relaxing. (Some people might question relaxing.) as after a days cruising one is usually tired – a healthy physical tiredness. I suppose I mean mentally relaxing really.

We decided to take the plunge and booked a weeks holiday, early the following year – Early because it was cheaper and a weeks hire because that was all we could afford! After the first holiday, we hired much larger boats and took both sets of in-laws, ourselves and my Wife’s Uncle, (Who lived on his own,) and ourselves. .

What wonderful holidays. I still remember the mist over the water early in the mornings with the dew on the grass. Fortunately with good weather and lovely sunrises and sunsets. The funny thing was that most holidays had to be a ‘There and Back again’ type of cruise as one returned to the base that the boat was hired from. This wasn’t a problem though! Going in the opposite direction gave a completely different look to the same canal in the outward direction. We had the added advantage that we knew where the good places to stop were and places to avoid, making it even more enjoyable.

It’s surprising how many people associate canal holiday with pub-crawling. OK if you like this sort of thing and it is some people’s idea of absolute ‘Bliss’ each to his own!

We preferred to use the pubs for a mid-afternoon drink and break up the cruising and often went back, if we liked it, for an evening meal to save us cooking.

This set the seed. We were able to have 2 holidays a year on the canals by going in April and again in September, out of school holidays times, when the prices were low. It is true that early and late in the season, the daylight hours are shorter than one would like but the cosy evenings in the warm made up for it.

My dream was to have my own boat and live on it. Twice I was preparing to do this on two occasions and twice my dreams were shattered for various reasons.

However, just over 4 years ago, I managed to have a steel shell built exactly to my design. The shape is a little different to standard boats to look at and I am delighted with the lines, which are attractive. I also changed the ‘bog’ standard shape under the water. This was a little tongue in the cheek, as I am not a qualified engineer. However, plenty of thought and common sense plus a little ‘luck’ and I have a boat, which handles and cruises in all different types of water superbly, much better than the average boat.

As I was not a steel fabricator I was not able to build my own shell. However, everything in the boat, the electrics, plumbing, central heating, outside painting, lining out and flooring etc., is all my own handiwork. After 4 years, although it is comfortable to live in, (I even have a “Whirlpool” water jet bath installed), compact automatic washing machine and fridge/freezer, so I enjoy all the home comforts.

The work is still very much ‘In Progress’ though. I suppose it will get finished one of these days – how knows? The boat is admired by quite a lot of people with its good looks and superb handling. Many of my boating friends love to cruise the boat for me whenever they get the chance.

For anyone who is interested in the shape and the look of my boat, just type ‘Pengalanty’ in a ‘Google’ search. You should see a photo of the boat going through a handling competition, on the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union.

I live on this boat full time, these days; away from the every day stress of ‘instant’ and ‘fast’ living that I was part of. I still work part time, which keeps me in the south. However, one of these days, I might be in a situation to cruise the rest of the canal system, or even cruise the canals in Europe. These are much larger and deeper waterways and would be a totally different experience.

I usually cook for myself as I enjoy fresh meals roasts, chops stews and casseroles etc., including salads, depending on the weather and the season.

Although fresh soup is tasty, I’m a bit lazy here and often open a tin and add one or two vegetables to make it different and more filling. A tin of soup often makes a good base for something else!

There is a warm and friendly ‘camaraderie’ on the canals. Most boaters are ready to help another boater if and when needed.

I hope I have whetted your appetite and I would thoroughly recommend a canal boating holiday to anyone who wants something a little different. Be warned though! Once tried, you may not be satisfied until you have a boat of your own!

If anyone is seriously thinking of one, do feel fee to contact me.  I have quite a lot of knowledge regarding hire firms and I may be able to guide to away from the “Dodgey” ones by recommending that well know ones with beautifully turned out boats, so go on, ask me, I am always ready to help anyone – always have been!

Thanks for visiting “My Place”. I hope you enjoyed the varied articles.  Canal Boating is one of my passions!

~Allan~