I've been a very naughty boy.

[Phill]

Because I've just booked a few days away on a NB!!!!

We sold our Thames based cruiser earlier this year (By accident, but that's another story) and as most of you know, you get serious withdrawal symptoms. So whilst searching out boaty bits on the internet, I came across some canal stuff and found myself talking to a lovely person called Janet and have just booked a few days away on the Basingstoke canal.
I'm really looking forward to it, but the kids have started phoning friends to see if they can pitch up with them whilst Dad goes off and does his mid life crisis boaty thing.

Whilst I'm in the mood for confessions, a couple of summers ago we did a flotilla holiday in the Ionians on a boat with sails! Very little previous experience but would have to say that was one of the best experiences of my life.

And my last confession, There's this girl at work who..............

 

[Stormin Norm]

Phill,

Your signal broke up on the last bit....about the girl at work....can you repeat over !

We all go through a mid life crisis I think but you are brave to mentions NB's here , I think all the NB owners have been scared off.


Like you I'm at that stage in life, but am thinking of getting a motorbike for my non boating days, well I considered a girl from the office but then thought the motorbike would be less dangerous.

Hope you enjoy your few days off, why not take a few pics and report back what its like to be a NB'er.

 

[Ramage]

A Narrow Boat on a canal. What a good idea!

Horses for courses. The right boat in the right environment.

We look forward to your "illustrated tales from the canals".

 

[byron]

A Narrow Boat on a canal. What a good idea!

Horses for courses. The right boat in the right environment.

We look forward to your "illustrated tales from the canals".

I agree whole heartedly. Absolutely nowt wrong with a canal boat on a canal.

 

[boatone]

I agree whole heartedly. Absolutely nowt wrong with a canal boat on a canal.

Nowt wrong with canal boats on the Thames. Just need to observe the niceties of being on the big river - and many do.


I actually find them quite useful to raft up against when its too shallow for me bankside!

Theres a few more closet NB types on here if truth be known.......

 

[exfinnsailor]

***********

Hope your taking the girl from work .. Just returned from Turkey .. Absolutley Fabulous .. Hope to go next year .. Have a great time on the barge ..

 

[byron]

I actually find them quite useful to raft up against when its too shallow for me bankside!

Maybe that's the E.Agency's cunning plan. Lure enough of them on the river then use them as Camp Shedding at appropriate spots.

 

[Brayman]

Narrow boat on Basingstoke Canal

Is there any water in the Basingstoke Canal these days?

 

[Phill]

Is there any water in the Basingstoke Canal these days?

I hope so, otherwise it rather defeats the object.

I am aware that the area of canal that connects it to the River Wey is not navigable at the moment but as we only have the boat for a few days, that's fine. Plenty of water where we will be, I hope.

As for my original post, the bit about the girl at work is an exageration. (SWMBO reads this)

So to sum up, I have sailed a little catamaran, sailed with friends on the south coast, sailed in the Ionians, cruised the Upper Thames for more years than I can remember, recently had my first trip from Teddington to Ramsgate on a friends Nimbus and about to go on a canal. I consider myself very lucky to have tried these various boating activities, but do conclude that you just can't beat sitting in the cockpit on a summers evening watching the world go by on the Upper Thames. All in my own opinion of course.

 

[sturmvogel190a]

Nowt wrong with canal boats on the Thames. Just need to observe the niceties of being on the big river - and many do.


I actually find them quite useful to raft up against when its too shallow for me bankside!

Theres a few more closet NB types on here if truth be known.......

Observe the niceties just fine thanks and anyone is welcome to moor alongside as long as they dont mind the dirty bitumin marks and our German Shephard lol ,Changed from a cruiser to a NB and now moor on the Kennet and it costs 75% less than if we kept her on the Thames,Like most we have a budget to work to and the NB ticks most boxes for us and esp on cost.
Water craft come in all shapes and sizes and long may that be the case ,Except for the Redgrave wannabees of course lol .
Agree that some struggle to come to terms of the big scary river after spending most of there time on Canals ,Any worse than hireboaters or indeed some of those that have had craft of any type for many years ??? Steve.