The Grand Union

Where do I start?   I must have been quite naive to think things would improve as I got closer to London!!  British Waterways have obviously got it wrong and are guilty of gross mis-management of the canal system.  Yes, admittedly, more and more boats are licensed.  I would go as far to say that in the  last two weeks the number of unlicensed boats on the Grand Union could be counted on two hands.   BUT, and it is a big but, the continuous moorers, who only pay a licence fee to BW,  are breeding like rats.  Cruising down the Grand Union we came to Marsworth, we managed to find a mooring,. just!  SO many boats obviously lived on and continuously moored.  On to Bulbourne, and the same again.   Tonight we are moored at Berkhamstead and once again the place is littered with continuous moorers.   Why, oh why don't BW do something about it.  There is a source of revenue here.... I would not mind if they moored in the middle of nowhere but they don't!  The time has come for BW or C&RT as it will become, to seriously look at the way they charge boaters.   Maybe the time has come when all boaters are charged a fix amount per foot of length, regardless of where they cruise or moor,  and discounts are available for those who moor in marinas, those with official online moorings,  and those who can prove that they do actually continuously cruise.  

Due to personal circumstances, I have not been able to cruise the canal system much for the last five years, and it has changed so  much during that time.  I never cruise fast and always slow down to pass moored boats, BUT, there are so many moored boats now (you virtually have to run on tickover between Leighton Buzzard and Berkhamstead in my experience so far!!) that I pass moored boats at 200 revs more than I used to otherwise I would not ever get anywhere!!

Life without a dongle......

A few days ago, while rigging up my dongle on its 3 metre extension cable I managed to drop it into the canal.  Needless to say, it did not float!!   So, I have been dongle-less for the last few days and have therefore had no access (or limited access through my mobile) to the internet.

Today we are near Uxbridge so I took the bus (thank you for my bus pass) into Uxbridge where they have a T mobile store, the original supplier of my dongle.  Various questions were asked, to which I did not have the answers, various sums were mentioned, £10 for this, £10 for that etc.  Name (I could manage that one) plus address...   OH, you have been with us since 2006 using the same dongle.... you are eligible for a free upgrade.....

I am now the proud owner of a wireless router on board..... which will operate up to five devices at a time.....  Jenny is really happy, she can now play her games whilst I do my bits.....

What a glorious day, weatherwise.  Tomorrow it is on to Little Venice.

The situation with continuous moorers does not get better the closer you get to London, BW are clearly guilty of gross misconduct in the way that they have managed?? the moorings  problem over the last few years.......   Let's hope CRT get it right,......   but don't hold your breath!!

How quiet are the canals......

We have been cruising for just over a week and certain things seem to be noticeable.  We have arrived at what I consider to be a prime mooring site to find there is still space.  Where have all the boats gone?  This afternoon we arrived at Stoke Bruerne, just before 3 p.m. and found a prime mooring.  We did the same on Friday afternoon and again on Saturday afternoon (we never moved on Sunday - time for a day off!!)

SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND SPACE FOR OTHER MOORERS....!!

So, where have all the boats gone, during the last few days we have passed very few boats on the move, although we have seen many more boats moored up.   Are we now at the stage where continuous 'moorers' outnumber continuous cruisers?

I appreciate that we have been off of the cut for the last five years, apart from the odd trip,  but things do seem to be changing and not necessarily for the better.

I shall reserve judgement and see how the situation improves, or not, as I get closer to my destination - London!!

LIVEABOARD AGAIN.....

It has been a while (5 years in fact) since we have classed ourselves as true liveaboards, but, as from last Thursday, that is what we are!   The house is sold (okay, I admit - it is only subject to contract) and we then went through the process (for the second time) of emptying the contents of a house into a narrowboat.  Numerous trips to the tip, charity shops and ebay and  we are now on board.  We left Hopwas last Thursday and went as far as Curdworth, where the lads took over the boat for their 'annual cruise' into Birmingham.  They then took the boat down the North Stratford and through Hatton 21 and moored in the Saltisford Arm, where we took over the boat on Sunday afternoon.

What a lovely place the Saltisford Arm is..... close to Sainsburys and Warwick town centre, free mooring for the first night and only £4 per night after.... very reasonable.

On Wednesday we cast off and set off on the next stage of our life.  We found our favourite mooring in the middle of nowhere at the bottom of Bascote Locks that evening (just enough space for a 70 footer) although the Canada geese we displaced were not too happy.

Next day it was on down the GU to Calcutt and turn towards Braunston to another of our favourite moorings in the middle of nowhere around about bridge 100.

Today saw us into Braunston, a prime mooring by the bridge where the footpath runs up to the village where we topped up the supplies.  Then on to Buckby top lock where we found another good mooring.

As for tomorrow.... let's just see what the weather does, it is forecast to be a bit grim!!