Extraordinary: Merseyside to Inverness by narrowboat

[Sgeir]

I've heard of them crossing the Channel, and even the Irish Sea, but here's an account of a narrowboat passage from Merseyside to Inverness, and back.

Some interesting pics, including a narrow boat at Seil's "Atlantic Bridge",

 

[Mukes]

"The narrow boat Ocean Princess will attempt the passage from Merseyside to Scotland for what is believed to be the first trip of this kind for a boat of this type, and it follows the boat's successful voyage last year from London to Bristol via the Isles of Scilly"

London to Bristol via the Isles of Scilly in a narrow boat - crikey!

 

[Kilter]

never seen a life raft on a narrow boat before (not that I look that hard at such craft) but I'd not be happy about that passage without it!

 

[Sgeir]

If you have a look at the parent site, they're obviously very adventurous, if not to say completely barmy.

Funnily enough we were talking about narrowboats at sea just the other night; general consensus was that one big wave on the side would roll it over. I presume they kept the hatches and doors jammed shut all the time.

 

[jhr]

Similar insanity in Narrow Dog to Carcassonne

Oi! Nutter! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Cutter]

Narrow boats went to DUnkirk to help evacuate the BEF in 1939. Very usefuk in the shallower water and saved many lives. Very relaxing holiday - we used to do it as a family when smaller. Still many good pubs and few tidal or weather constraints - other than drought orders....

 

[rickp]

The lads of the Tuesday Night Club are famous (infamous?) in narrowboating circles - done loads of things and explored bits of the cut which the rest of us had long forgotten. They used to post regularly to the uk.rec.waterways usenet group too (though I've not read it in a long time).

Rick

 

[Signed Out]

Must say I walked down the London canals from KingsX to Paddington via Camden and Little Venice yesterday and I wouldn't fancy an offshore passage in one of those. Astounding respite down there though, wouldn't believe such peace existed in the heart of London.
Now if they could open a few more pubs down by them...

 

[boomerangben]

I think I would be happier going from Merseyside to Inversnekkie in the Wayfarer moored just below the bridge.

 

[kindredspirit]

Believe it or believe it not, a narrow boat crossed the Atlantic from Canada to Ireland a few years ago and when last heard of, was touring the European canals!

I have the link somewhere if I can dig it out. It had a temporary sail constructed and the windows were boarded up. I couldn't believe it until I saw it. There were 3 guys on board. One Canadian and two English.

 

[BrendanS]

http://iwn.iwai.ie/v29i2/ifrances.PDF

 

[Sgeir]

I'd forgotten about that - what a brilliant story! Many thanks Brendan.

I have nothing but admiration for them, but errrmm, wild horses wouldn't get me on to one these boats at sea. They're even dafter than we are.

 

[ColinHuggins]

I was at an illustrated lecture given by the skipper/owner of Ocean Princess who runs Wyvern Shipping in Leighton Buzzard (well-known for its nautical heritage . . .) A nice but very lucky fool. But you'll be surprised that the bottom of half-inch steel plate makes her fairly stable. Only after retreating into Ramsgate in bad weather did he encounter MCA officials and sea-going rules and regs. Much shopping for lifejackets & EPIRBS etcet, as well as fixing planks over the foredeck and front windows. His 'navigator' got him into St Albans Race in the dark (yep) and after nearly hitting a couple of boats in fog outside Newlyn he decided that having a lookout might be a good idea.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry!
So he's off again. I daren't look . . .
PS there is a website if you can bear it.

 

[Bejasus]

[ QUOTE ]
Similar insanity in Narrow Dog to Carcassonne

[/ QUOTE ]

The boat that chaperoned them across the channel was a Pedro skippered by a chum of Kims I believe.