Squishy

I absolutely agree, MikeV, however as much as I adore where I live, I see it every day and would like to experience somewhere different Thanks for the tips. Cotswoldman, I can assure you it is happening. Hooray!

It was lovely actually. We pootled up and down quite well, didn't venture too far. We even managed to get my mum and dad on board for a happy few hours one day aswell. Made my dad's day I struggled a bit with aching at the end of the day, and sitting in a tepid bath of 3 inches of water didn't help much But I lived. Locks became second nature, I felt like quite the expert by the end! I do think it'd be too much for me now though, to try again (I have a really rare condition that affects every bit of me in new and more exciting ways every day, which is progressively getting more and more limiting, sadly) But I do love the water, so that's why I'm wondering if the Broads may be the answer.

Hi I hope I don't get shot for ressurecting an old, old topic (some forums are very funny about it, some insist on it rather than starting new) Anyway............... we managed the holiday (me, hubby, son and nephew) and it was terrifically hard work (pour moi with my physical limitations at least) but enormous fun. We'd like to try the Norfolk Broads, potentially next August. What I'd like to know, really, is how busy do the Broads get in August? My dad seems to think "very" and we'll struggle to moor. How different are the broads in comparison to the canals? Any advice/experience welcome, and sorry for the long abscence

What an enlightening, helpful and relevant post I'm not sure if andy is interested in your opinion but I'm certainly not. Perhaps you shouldn't be so quick to judge people? Personally, I tend to wait and judge individuals rather than labelling a large group of people "a right old whinging bunch". Still, I hope you got what you wanted out of coming and slagging them off. Must be something behind it - jealousy perhaps? We may never know. I'm not bothering with this forum again. You seem to be - dare I say it - a right old whinging bunch. An opinion I have formed after reading much of this forum (save for the odd decent person here and there) I think I'll stick to the rare outing on a narrowboat rather than take the plunge with one. Yours is not a community I wish to belong to.

I don't need to hold my breath, it'll all be done for 2013 But by the end of 2009 the Kendal bit will be done. And I want to be ready

I've done a search (I did, I promise) and came across a couple of threads that seemed relevant but had no replies *gulp* I'm hoping it's OK to post this here and that some kind soul will answer? I'm deserate to get a boat for when the Northern Reaches is done but think I won't be able to wait a few years in all honesty. I have come to the conclusion that getting a mooring BEFORE getting a boat might be a wise move. Logically I can't get a mooring on a canal that doesn't exist yet (although I wish I could reserve one in Kendal - don't suppose there's a way to get in early???) so I'll need one on the Lancaster Canal somewhere near home. How on earth do I find one please? And how much do they cost? I'm a total numpty at this so would love any help, please.

Interesting, I've never heard of a connection to Windermere. Not sure how that would work really *scratches head*

LOL thanks John I do indeed mean the Lancaster Canal - from Tewitfield northwards to Kendal. That's the Northern Reaches bit that is getting restored (hooray!) Just this morning I have secured a booking on the 57ft Airton boat with pennine Cruisers for early August. I think I might burst with excitment I'm a teeny weeny bit nervous though, as shortly after getting off the boat and into the car I went into some sort of odd drifting-in-and-out-of-consciousnous thing while feeling most peculiar and as if the world was rocking

Thanks! I live near where the Northern Reaches is being restored, and should (in theory, fingers crossed they actually do it) be living really quite close to where the new canal head will be. So the plan is - get addicted (done!) get used to it (working on it!) try and get clued up on what we need (may take a while!) and buy our own boat

We had a day trip on a lovely little boat the other day, on the Leeds and Liverpool canal, and of course fell in love. Now we're hoping to book for either a short break or a week and I would like to know some things please............. When you sleep on the narrowboat do you feel much rocking? Is anything likely to go past in the night and cause waves and therefore movement? Are all locks manned? I'm a little worried with my disabilities that hubby and son together might struggle. We can do swing bridges but didn't get to attempt any locks on our day trip. Finally, if we book when we're hoping to for July/August time, how bad is really hot weather on a narrowboat? Is it lovely and cool near the water, or unbearably hot inside? Grateful for any help

Hello! I posted a few times a while back about first holidays. Still haven't managed one on a narrowboat yet Anyway............... living as we do in close proximity to the soon-to-be-restored Northern Reaches, and having recently had some good fortune in the finance stakes, we are debating buying our own little narrowboat. I realise this would be a bit silly before we've even been inside one, or hired one for any length of time, and clearly we would do that first. My question is - what sort of price would a neat little beginner boat (sleeping 4) be? Would you be able to buy one and transport it easily? I think it's going to be another 5 years before the restoration is complete to the point of having a mooring facility in my town, but I want to be ready with a boat I have this mad dream of owning our own little sweetie and being able to pootle about whenever we like *sigh* Any help/advice/opinions welcome

I'm sure my lad wouldn't be bored (don't think I said I was worried about that in my posts?) He'd be happy with a fishing net, or just steering the boat Does anybody please know of someone in the Lancaster, Carnforth type area that would hire us out a canal boat for the day? The only places I can find do weeks or short breaks only, or only hire cruisers Alternatively, if there's any kind soul in that area that would consider letting us just come aboard and have a wee look at their boat, that would be amazing We've never seen inside one and have no idea (other than from photos) what they're like.

John Orentas - thanks, never even thought to look in smiths for an appropriate magazine Bottle - I did Google, but so many came up. Although I didn't use the "s so I'm off to do just that. Thanks

Thanks, once again, for all the help. it is being read, remembered and stored for future use too Does anyone have any recommendations for other companies (ie other than Hoseasons) Either large or small outfits that hire out boats? I don't want to restrict myself just to them. Thanks

Moley - I'm in Cumbria, but willing to hire from pretty much anywhere for the right boat/scenery/holiday