Every wondered why people cruise the canals ???
I cannot speak for others, but these are just a few of my own reasons........
Most canals exist in a gentle time-warp - more than two hundred years away from the stresses of modern life such as traffic jams. Occasionally, very occasionally, a motorway will pass overhead. This noisy interruption into your tranquility is of another time and can be mostly ignored as you notice car-drivers catching a glimpse of you and it is easy to imagine a glint of envy in their eyes for a slower pace as they hurtle past.
Watching a never-ending panorama of some of the most beautiful scenery in the world slowly unfold.
Feeling the sun on your face - it makes you feel alive.
Feeling the rain on your face - it makes you feel alive, wishing for the sun!!
Feeling the wind as it blows your boat sideways - stops you dozing off !!!!
Friendly waves and greetings from boaters, cyclists, and walkers.
Still saying 'hello' to the few others who as yet have not grasped the concept of being friendly to strangers.
Chatting at locks as boaters help each other. You can learn a lot about the more attractive side of human nature.
Chatting with 'Gongoozlers' (people watching) or tourists of all nationalities satisfying their curiosity at locks, etc......
"Do you live on it??????"
"How far can you go??????"
"Where are you from????"
You might have heard the question before, but a friendly answer makes the world go around.
Finding a mooring at the end of the day - just near a pub in our case - but not TOO near!!!!!!
Occasionally finding a mooring not too far from shops.
Having a 'day-off' from cruising and spending some time sat in the sun on the canal-bank. Sipping a glass or two of whatever takes your fancy improves this suggestion.
Walking your dog (or just yourself if you're not fond of animals) in the tranquility of an early morning as the light starts to gather pace. Even better if the sun is shining over the edge of the fields
Walking your dog (ditto above, if no dog) in the late evening as the sun sets, especially during those long day-light evenings of June.
Finding a place where your Satellite dish/TV aerial cannot find a signal and settling back to read a book and listen to some music....I can do this and drink a glass of wine at the same time. You have to multi-task to be a success in this boating lark!!
Why do I not just turn off the TV ? and listen to music? It must be remembered that I am a very junior officer on this boat and consequently not allowed to make executive decisions of this importance.
Going to places most people have never heard of.
Going to places everybody has heard of but catching that unique view from the canal or river that cannot be seen except from a boat.......most of the Thames is like this for example.
Giving up canal travel occasionally and braving the rivers for a change.......
Thames, Trent, Severn, Avon, etc, all have their difficulties and challenges, but it helps you keep sharp.
Looking forward to planning another cruise route.
Completing the cruise and safely stowing away your treasure chest of memories for another time.........
Try it someday.......... :)
There is a glitch with the Google software and sometimes the 'Comments' box at the end of the post will not appear. If you would like to leave any comments just click on 'no comments' and the box will appear like magic....simples!!!!! :) just scroll down.
I cannot speak for others, but these are just a few of my own reasons........
Most canals exist in a gentle time-warp - more than two hundred years away from the stresses of modern life such as traffic jams. Occasionally, very occasionally, a motorway will pass overhead. This noisy interruption into your tranquility is of another time and can be mostly ignored as you notice car-drivers catching a glimpse of you and it is easy to imagine a glint of envy in their eyes for a slower pace as they hurtle past.
Watching a never-ending panorama of some of the most beautiful scenery in the world slowly unfold.
Feeling the sun on your face - it makes you feel alive.
Feeling the rain on your face - it makes you feel alive, wishing for the sun!!
Feeling the wind as it blows your boat sideways - stops you dozing off !!!!
Friendly waves and greetings from boaters, cyclists, and walkers.
Still saying 'hello' to the few others who as yet have not grasped the concept of being friendly to strangers.
Chatting at locks as boaters help each other. You can learn a lot about the more attractive side of human nature.
Chatting with 'Gongoozlers' (people watching) or tourists of all nationalities satisfying their curiosity at locks, etc......
"Do you live on it??????"
"How far can you go??????"
"Where are you from????"
You might have heard the question before, but a friendly answer makes the world go around.
Finding a mooring at the end of the day - just near a pub in our case - but not TOO near!!!!!!
Occasionally finding a mooring not too far from shops.
Having a 'day-off' from cruising and spending some time sat in the sun on the canal-bank. Sipping a glass or two of whatever takes your fancy improves this suggestion.
Walking your dog (or just yourself if you're not fond of animals) in the tranquility of an early morning as the light starts to gather pace. Even better if the sun is shining over the edge of the fields
Walking your dog (ditto above, if no dog) in the late evening as the sun sets, especially during those long day-light evenings of June.
Finding a place where your Satellite dish/TV aerial cannot find a signal and settling back to read a book and listen to some music....I can do this and drink a glass of wine at the same time. You have to multi-task to be a success in this boating lark!!
Why do I not just turn off the TV ? and listen to music? It must be remembered that I am a very junior officer on this boat and consequently not allowed to make executive decisions of this importance.
Going to places most people have never heard of.
Going to places everybody has heard of but catching that unique view from the canal or river that cannot be seen except from a boat.......most of the Thames is like this for example.
Giving up canal travel occasionally and braving the rivers for a change.......
Thames, Trent, Severn, Avon, etc, all have their difficulties and challenges, but it helps you keep sharp.
Looking forward to planning another cruise route.
Completing the cruise and safely stowing away your treasure chest of memories for another time.........
 |
| Early morning sun......Staffs and Worcester canal. Copyright Chris Hill |
Try it someday.......... :)
There is a glitch with the Google software and sometimes the 'Comments' box at the end of the post will not appear. If you would like to leave any comments just click on 'no comments' and the box will appear like magic....simples!!!!! :) just scroll down.
lovely post... and echoes many of our thoughts of why we love being on the canals. Glad to have found your blog - we will be cruising this summer so it's nice to find people who have already covered some miles and look at your photos etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that........what is the name of your boat so we can give you a wave?
DeleteEnjoy the summer. Chris and Denise 'San Serriffe'