British Holiday Season in Full Swing
Now that the calendar has clicked over from July to August, the holiday season is in full swing. The majority of people and families in the UK will either be on holiday, just finished a holiday, or just about to take one.
I am writing this especially for all you overseas readers visiting my blog, as you may like to consider a holiday Most Usedwithin the UK, steeped in history and gliding through the lush countryside.
Now what a wonderful idea to considering taking a unique holiday steeped in history, don’t you think? It is not difficult to do this. You will realise why when I suggest that you consider a Self-Drive Boating holiday on the English canals. Most of these canals are around 200-years old, fell into decay after the Second World War and then taken over by enthusiasts and restored “Little by Little”, “Section by Section”.
Now the UK can be proud of all the work that passionate folk from every walk of life have done with the overall restorations of various canals over the last 70 years. This work is still going on and the latest canal to be completely restored is the Droitwich canal.
The last section has now connected the Worcester and Birmingham canal. This has been recently opened and one can cruise right through to the River Severn at Driotwich, near the City of Worcester.
I belong to the “Cutweb” club. This is a club for boaters, so they can communicate with one another via the Internet. The name came about, as the “Old” working boatmen used to call the canals “The Cut”, as they were hand cut through the countryside to connect the major Industrial centres spreading out from the Midlands, or should I say the “Black Country”; basically the West Midlands where everything may have started.
“Cutweb” is a made up club name, quite naturally as “Cut” relates to canals and “Web” the Internet. This may seem obvious on explanation but it is surprising how many times one is asked how the name came about.
I have taken the trouble to mention the foregoing as one of our club members (Andrew Dyke) has just cruised the Droitwich canal and has put together a lovely album slide show, together with suitable background music that enhances his photographs. Andrew Dyke’s Slide Show creation depicts the unique and typical lush green countryside in the Heart of England. It is extremely well done.
You too can experience a simply wonderful holiday that you will not find anywhere else in the World. Not only do you cruise between the hamlets, villages, towns and Cities; the journey will take you through different access points of the Towns and Cities, (Namely the backs of the factories in the Industrial parts etc.,) and these have not been modernised due to the fact that the general public do not see this side of the buildings.
You actually cruise through History from the canal side views and this will take you back in time; the brickwork and the construction sometimes staying unchanged for a up to a couple of hundred years.
It is fascinating and is an experience one should not miss. On the canals, the “Paddle Gear” is original and repaired in the original style in most cases. The paddles are the mechanism that lets water in and out the locks, so that you can proceed up and down the hills in your “Self-Drive” narrowboat.
I have honestly say that I have never, ever met or spoken to anyone, who after taking an English boating holiday, has not been so smitten that they cannot wait to book up and take another boating canal holiday.
It is so different, one cannot put into words the unique experience gained with relaxed cruising together with the excitement of seeing something unexpected, the interest of hidden history, the quaint places the canals that take you off the beaten track that you would have missed by any other sort of transport and visit to England.
It is a must for just everyone from teenagers to retired people to experience from all walks of life. You will find canal folk, the meeting at locks with other boaters and the general friendly chat something you will take back home with you, never to be forgotten
What Beautiful Lush Countryside in England
Click below ~ LOOK ~ for yourself
No doubt it will whet your appetite
You could have a holiday like this too!
I wrote about a this type of holiday approximately 3 years ago, mainly to introduce the “Overseas” visitor, who hasn’t the knowledge or experience to research accurately who the better Hire Boat companies are and who to miss out. I am sure that you are much like me and would like confirmation that you are hiring with a reputable company and that you place your holiday where you are going to have a wonderful experience starting with the warm family type business welcome and perhaps even having a present of a bottle of wine and fresh flowers in your floating holiday home.
My digital E-book called “The Holiday of a Lifetime” now needs updating and considerable work done to make sure that the information it contains is current.
This is one of my next projects but in the meantime, if you would like this book, in its original format, I will willingly send you a copy (via E-mail) completely free of charge. You are most welcomed to read it. It has some good material and many “Links” taking you to many holiday companies. This will lead you to an easy way to search for you exact requirements, although it needs updating.
If you would like to have a look, please e-mail me at Allan@Pengalanty.com and I will send it to you. I will reply. If I get a large request, it may take me some time, as I am not going to automate this procedure until I have updated my E-book.
Thank you for visiting my “General Interest” blog site. I would appreciate your comments and hope you will remember “Pengalanty”
Warm regards, ~Allan~
August 1st, 2011 | 
Author: 
Posted in General Interest Articles
Hi
Great looking website. Very unique – just like your boats! The boat slideshow makes me want to visit England and give it a try! Beautiful.
Mary Kathan
Hello Mary,
Thank you for your kind words regarding my blog site and I’m so pleased that you found the slide show interesting and also the possibility of visiting England for a canal holiday. You’ll remember it forever with happy memories!
Most of the canal system is unique, as is the long narrow boats that copy the old fashioned “working boats”. The modern narrowboat is like a miniature floating country cottage. It is warm, cosy and comfortable with central heating, (Should you decide on a holiday out of the main season).
If you are considering “Your Best Holiday Ever” by having an English canal holiday, would you like a copy of my “E-book called “The Holiday of a Lifetime”?
This was written (You may be interested in this point) as my work project for John Thornhill’s Coaching program in 2009 It needs updating now and I am about to start re-writing it. If you want to read it, I will send you a copy absolutely free – all I need is a confirmation e-mail address to send it to.
Warm regards, ~Allan~ (UK)
PS: What part of the World are you located/living?
Hello Mary (Kathan),
Thank you for your lovely comments.
A great deal has happened, since I replied to your original comment, so here’s an update, hoping you will visit and have another “Peep”
I am delighted that you enjoyed the content regarding the English canals and the slide show that was created by a boating club friend
Earlier this year, my ex.Wife Antoinette, bought a lovely narrowboat called “Snowdrop”. IT is beautifully fitted out and it only had 1,560-engine hours in 10 years. We thought this was good but it turned out not to be so
Snowdrop spent most of its life all lonely, on its own in a boat marina. It suffered from a little black mould in the loo but it was such a small patch it was not a problem
What was not considered, (And turned out to be an ongoing nightmare) was the condensation problems with the 12-volt wiring connections and engine control wiring harness. Everything has to be cleaned and reassembled, being smeared with grease to avoid this happening again
The “Vacu-Flush” toilet system was breaking down on a regular basis due to pressure and vacuum switched being corroded and rubber one way seals going hard due to lack of use
The diesel central heating (Pressure boiler) stopped working when the Autumn came along, and it appeared to have had a DIY repair that was unsatisfactory – Then the rev counter stopped working on the engine
Fortunately I was in the position to carry out these repairs, the experience learned through my working life and I also had most of the specialist tools to make the repairs too
Antoinette appointed me “Chief Engineer” for her Snowdrop and this has kept me more than busy sorting out the breakdowns, as they occurred. The chief engineer’s position was an “Unpaid” position unfortunately but Hey, who would leave a dear friend in trouble? Actually, I have enjoyed being able to bring her “New Home” right up to being as near 100% fit for purpose as possible
Antoinette didn’t stand by and do nothing! She has done more than her fair share of hot drinks and putting scrumptious meals in front of my face, so I was definitely paid in kind
Finally, we both think we have an ideal situation; we cruise together; help each other through the locks, swing and lift bridges etc., and we share a generator that keeps the batteries on both boats “topped” up at the same time, so we can both save on the big diesel engines
Because we have 2 boats, we both have out independence and own space. This suits us – another bonus is that if we have a neighbour that doesn’t suit us, we pull up our mooring pins and move! You can’t do this with a house! We also enjoy the mundane and simple things like shopping together and it is a lifestyle to be experienced living on the canals
I do hope you will come back and visit from time to time
Warm regards, ~Allan~
Hello Allan
I heartily concur with your comments on the attractions of a canal boat holiday. My husband, myself and (then)25-yr-old son spent a week on the Stratford and the Grand Union canals in 2003. Since then we have seen some magnificent and beautiful places throughout the world, but that holiday lives on in our memories as the best ever.
We are finally achieving our wish to return, this time starting at Worcester, with our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters, in July this year (5 months to go !).
Thanks so much for the info on Droitwich, it’s helped us plan our trip, which we think will be up the Worcester-Birmingham canal, onto Droitwich, up the Severn and Staffs and Worcs till we need to turn round and return to Worcester.
I’d be extremely grateful to receive your e-book, and any useful information you can provide.
regards
Karen Martin (Australia)
Hello Karen,
I sent the e-book via your e-mail address but it was returned!
Either I don’t have your correct e-mail, or I have to reply via here
I have copied and pasted my e-mail >> Please read it and reply direct to my personal e-mail
*****COPIED*****
Unique Fantastic English Canal Holiday
Inbox
Allan Cazaly
12:48 (4 hours ago)
to mart6k1
Hello Karen (& Mark),
Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in replying. My Hosting and Blog “LogIn” became corrupted and this had to be sorted before I could see your message to me (I couldn’t access your e-mail address)
I am attaching a copy of my “Canal Book” to you free of charge to help you with your choice of hire company
If you are starting from Worcester, I would suggest that you have a look at the Viking Afloat Hire Company. They have a Boatyard on the outskirts of Worcester. This “Start location” would probably suit your needs admirably
Viking Aflolat have been taken over by “Alvechurch Boat Centre” who operate under the umbrella of “UK Canal Holidays” They have taken over 3- or 4 major hire companies over the last few years
Personally I am always hesitant to recommend a large company
as they tend to lose out on the “personal touch” that the smaller family run ones are so good at
However, in your case the location may be an important
factor, as you are starting from Worcester and wish to cruise the newly opened Droitwich canal
Their website URL is: http://www.viking-afloat.com/
This company is not listed in the e-book for the reasons given but they may still be an excellent company – They certainly were many years ago
I would suggest contacting them and be certain to ask about the age of their boats, what sort of fit out (Average Hire Boat, Luxury fittings, or Super Luxury Class – You don’t want to spoil a holiday with an old boat
There is a brand new website that has been created by an experienced boater It is a web-site aimed at the “Liveaboard” boater. However, it has a wealth of information and Paul Smith, who I know personally, is a lovely man and he could furnish you with some more information
I would recommend that you get in touch with him for additional information, through his website. He lives in the Calcutt Marina
http://www.livingonanarrowboat.co.uk
Although this website is not aimed at the holiday maker,it is good reading for anyone interested in the English Canal System
If you mention in the my name, he is sure to reply – Paul, like me, is very knowledgeable
I live on the canals 24/7 now; a lovely way to live in retirement from “regular” work. My new hobby and interest is “Internet marketing” and it keeps my brain active – Essential if you want a healthy and long life – and I have to live until I am over 100, to accomplish everything I want to do! (Only 23 years to go!)
I have been busy creating a new web-site (Unrelated to canals) and it is to put on the Internet market, children’s story books , written by Antoinette, who has lived from her writings, mostly as a “Ghost Writer” accepting work from regular clients
I would be most grateful if you would think about helping me in a small way
If you have friends on Facebook or other social media (And you have no objection) I would really appreciate you mentioning
to any of your friends or relatives who have children between the ages of 6 and 12
The Woodknot series of children’s books are really good and
Antoinette, the Author of these books, is a friend of mine, (Who also lives 24/7 on a lovely narrowboat)
I would like to help her promote these stories. She has other book titles too and some of these are listed
The first “WoodKnot” story is free to download. There is a temporary “Glitch” with the website, so if it doesn’t download when you click the download button, go back up to the top of the page again
There you will see a pull-down-corner (Top Right Hand Side) and you can download a zipped file from here
Anyway Karen, if you want further information, for your “Special” holiday, or if I can help you to have a “fantastic” one, whilst you are over here, feel free to drop me another line any time
In the meantime
My sincere regards, ~Allan~
(Sent from my personal e-mail address)
*****END*****
Please contact me direct, so that I can send you the Canal e-book, with my compliments – Sincere regards, ~Allan~
You’re truly a excellent webmaster. The website loading speed is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve performed a fantastic task on this subject!
Thank you for your “Glowing” comments.
For your further information, the website is in WordPress”
I have an excellent hosting company, D9Hosting (UK)
# Note the main D9 is in the States but the staff of D9(UK)
are efficient and quick.
The website was created, using a semi-automatic software
program that is ideal for non-technical people and you
can create a sample with a couple of clicks to see what
it looks like. (In WordPress and other formats). If you
like it, you then name your Header, add photo or whatever
and customise it to suit your exact needs. The name of
the sofware is “Artisteer” -0 You can get a FREE download
(Like I did) and play with it BEFORE you buy! If you don’t
like it, just clear it from your PC.
I hope this extra information is interesting. I would be
pleased to know if you take to it. I am not affiliated
with this software and this information is given freely
Have fun, Keep in Touch!
Warm regards, ~Allan~ (UK)
[...] You can see a video showing some of the lovely countryside on the Droitwich Canal … (Click Here to cruise the newly opened Droitwich Canal) … (It takes you to my original blog and video in a new [...]