BOATS AND CANALS

The first time i took my freinds 62ft boat out on the coventry canal by fradley,i ran aground on the none towpath side within15 minuites,lucky for me the first boat comeing the opposite way saw what had happened, pipped his horn and held a rope aloft,i was pulled backwards and was free instantly.then seemed to dance to and fro from side to side all the way upto steethay warf where i needed help to turn around,only a short journey .....i was a total wreck.

_________________

.... my memory,s not what it used to be.
also my memory,s not what it used to be.

............................mike.

The first canal holiday I had was for 2 weeks with three friends, being our first trip we didn’t know what to expect of the boat, but it was very basic. It was so long ago that I don’t remember most of the details. The boat was hired from Deans Pleasure Boats, Christleton on the Shropshire Union Canal. We were given very basic instructions and off we went to tackle our very first locks, the Iron and Stone Locks at Beeston.

We were a crew of 4 lads out to have a good time and so our schedule was very tight, this we realized on hindsight but it didn’t stop us enjoying ourselves. We first went to Llangollen then carried on along the Shropshire Union Canal to the Gas Street Basin in Birmingham. We then caught the train to London spent a few hours there and then back in the same day, or should I say night. We returned using the Trent and Mersey Canal. My first canal holiday and I had crossed the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, been through the Harecastle Tunnel and dropped down in the Thurlwood Steel Lock.

{Oh and I hate to admit it but this was the time that I fell into a lock, amidst the ensuing concern the rudder got jammed in the gates and broke. Believe it or not it was an accident and no we were not messing around, and I can't swim. }

_________________
Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

Well on my first canal holiday, we 3 lads managed to get into trouble on a staircase lock where we managed to run out of water in the middle section. Got out in the end.
This is the boat we hired





Me on the far left with the camera.

_________________
Laurie Booth
http://www.pamelasalem.net

Ours was a boat called 'Peggy' by modern standards. a tub, but we had a great time.

_________________
Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals