Safely home from a short break narrowboat holiday..........

[Bargiepat]

I had a wonderful time cruising on the canal that I had made my last voyage on in 2013.

My son James worked the locks and is now a 100% a qualified 'Boater' !

Video here.

youtu.be/PtqPZgvPH4o(Not working as expected?)

[Satt2015]

Absolutely fantastic Pat! Love the photo and especially love the video! Thank you for sharing!! X

[easterncedar]

Thanks, Pat. That video made me smile and smile! Still smiling! The boat kept coming - how long IS it? I bet it's pretty comfortable inside.

[Bargiepat in reply to easterncedar]

Yes it was comfortable and 60 ft long.........

It had 2 double beds and 2 en-suite bathrooms.

[easterncedar in reply to Bargiepat]

wonderful. And you lived on one like that for some time, right? I bet you saw some glorious sights. I guess I know you did - there are pictures to prove it!

[abirke]

Wow that was amazing...You looked so natural on that boat...and my, with it's sheer length... If the two mariners took both ends , they may not see each other for... at least hours! How much fun it must have been . And a joy beyond to have this adventure with your son !

Thank you for the movie....I don't believe I've seen one of those on this site...not only are you masters of the maritime, but masters of the media as well!

Thanks again for Sharing

Ahoy

AVB

[Bargiepat]

I have just noticed that you can clearly see my 'non working' left arm........ I am so thankful that I became land bound because cruising on my own would have been impossible.

[Marie_14]

Patrick I have been wondering how you were both coping. I am delighted you had such a good time and delighted too that your son is now qualified! I bet he enjoyed it too? Great video of you too.

You have me wanting to go on one now. Might go on the one in Chester where you can have a meal. Did it years ago and it was nice. Maybe next year I will take my two Grandchildren. They would love it! Maybe if I take my son he might want a holiday on a narrow boat? See what you have started! 😁

Marie x

[Katiebow]

That must have been a memorable holiday with your son, precious memories. Love the photo and video and hope you get the chance for more adventures.

Take good care of yourself Patrick

Love Kate xxx

[Kevin_1]

Great stuff Bargie!

And you were stopping to pick up the cameraman too!

You look so at home on the water.

Strength to you.

[Yvonneandgeorge in reply to Kevin_1]

Looks amazing xxxx

[doglington]

Brilliant. It made me smile more and more as the boat kept on coming out of the bridge !!!

What wonderful memories for you all.

love, Jean x

[honjen43]

So glad you were able to enjoy this life again with your son.

Remember seeing the boats several times and wondering what it would be like living on board! Have wandered down the towpath and across the lock to the pub near a village that got swallowed up by Milton Keynes. And more recently somewhere north of Birmingham, same thing wandering to the pub along the towpath and finding a wounded swan, maybe damaged by a fox or a dog; watching a fisherman catch an enormous carp? and throwingit back!

I have only 1 question after watching several barging videos that talk of need to dispose of rubbish and pick up water and not contaminate the water. How do you manage sewage? Presume you have tank on board, so you have to get rid of it somewhere?

Very much enjoyed your portrayal of life on board! Have done the same in a tent, but never on my own! Will be a steep learning curve if I ever buy a campervan, which I would love to do. Gives me a similar wanderlust and release that your boat does!

Hope you get opportunity to live that dream again!!

Hugs

Jen xxx

[Bargiepat in reply to honjen43]

I had a holding tank and at certain points on the canal system there are 'pump out' stations......... Some are free and self operated and some are in boatyards and require payment.

Cheers,

Patrick.

[JA10]

That looks like you had a great day out. You must really miss life on a boat, I would.

For those who are UK based, there is a charity that run on the river Stort from Harlow (Essex) called Canalability. They have three double width narrow boats that are fully adapted for wheelchair users, hoists, lifts etc.

Having been on several canal boat holidays as a family when my sister and I were young, we booked a day trip with Canalability for the family to enjoy. Mum in her wheelchair (PSP), Dad in his (MS) and the family, the charity provides a crew and we had a lovely day out.

I have no idea how to do a link from here direct to their website, but I highly recommend looking it up, if you are in that part of the country as it is such a good day. We didn't get far, the boats travel so slowly, but even though we were near Harlow, we still felt rested. A treat for all.

Gosh, that looks like an advert! But it was just so nice to get out and about with Mum. Somewhere that we could go with her in her chair, somewhere we could easily sort her toilet needs as it was so well set up. None of the trying to find proper facilities that often accompanies a trip out and can make it more stressful than enjoyable. And so good for us to get Mum somewhere different as she doesn't get out much, but still enjoys doing so.

[Bargiepat in reply to JA10]

Thanks for telling us about the charity boats........

Here is the link.

canalability.org.uk/