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And a Trunk goes in the Boot , should you be hiring a car also while here !

Now retired, I have thought about buying my own boat to spend the southern winter away in the North. But I would only be able to be away from New Zealand for perhaps 4-5 months of the year. Is it feasible to entertain the idea of someone reliable to rent/ share costs for the remainder of the year ? I thought perhaps a nominal charge of perhaps £50 - 100 / week . Maybe include a small bond to ensure only reliable applicants . I would look to find a liveable boat perhaps 45 foot. Just an idea at this point , but my question is would there be any takers for such an opportunity ?

Add to that Wyvern shipping out of Leighton Buzzard on the GU. Boats with 2 full bathrooms and I might add shower boxes that were appreciably bigger than most I have encountered . Additionally they also offer boats that have comfortable lounge chairs rather than the usual bench seat around the dining table , an important point when hiring for a 2 week period . I used them on my third hire this past May and found a superior level of comfort. Another point to consider over a 2 week hire is the overall cost . Some hire firms have extras added on to the brochure price . Wyvern and a few others are all inclusive . Important to compare apples with apples .

Just wanted to clarify, we did have a wonderful time and met many, many very helpful ,friendly people. I accept the incident was likely a one off , just needed to know that. Also want to note how all on the forum have been exceptional up to and including our holiday . Special mention to Malcolm Kane ( Jerra ) who responded wonderfully to a special request. I had asked where I might buy Cumbria sausages on the net. Had no time in our week to trip north ). They were an integral part of my youth when I still lived in England. Malcolm lives in the Lakes and bought and mailed some to me at Wyvern shipping ready for our arrival. Never having met , I was impressed when he mailed them prior to my sending payment. Very trusting in this age . This was my third hire, and the above was the one and only time anything of the like has happened. For my two first time companions it was an unwelcome end to such a relaxing holiday. But they did also have a ball ( bit sore now though Ha ! )

The guy in question identified himself only as "Those of us who live on the water " ( part of the conversation ) He had no identifying uniform such as a lock volunteer might. He was also with who I imagine was his wife, who while not contributing to the conversation, appeared to support her partner. He referred to an incident earlier when other boaters had left gates open resulting in damage to the area to one side . ( unsure what this area is , but was dry , where it appears it should not have been ? ) He also had pics on his smart phone of said damage that he insisted I view . Just got the impression he had a beef with hirers ?

Just returned from our Euro trip, had a ball especially our few days hiring from Wyvern shipping . Everything went really good until our last day when negotiating the Soulbury 3 locks .We had climbed the first two levels and were just entering the last lock. The girls had closed the gates behind as instructed, but it had opened again of its own accord. Why I have no idea but we had seen this happen previously . It was then that a local guy came out of the woods shouting and screaming that we were violating accepted practice and wasting water. His language and attitude was close to threatening and certainly was extremely aggressive.. It was then that I stepped in saying to my 2 crewmates to ignore him as even if they did close it would likely open again by itself. This did not help lower his level of aggression, but only produced a tirade of abuse . To placate him we agreed to return and again close the gate, after first admonishing him for his expletives directed toward my wife and other female companion. They were understandably upset . Really put a damper on what had until then been a wonderful week. So, what should be expected in such a situation ? Derek.

Our first hire was with the Ashby boat Co, but we did a 7 day there and back. I recall the boat was well appointed and had no complaints . However as a first timer I remember thinking how fortunate that we upped from 4 days to 7 . Didn't do too much research prior and so was disappointed that the first day was essentially lock free. We made it all the way to Cropready and back, so many locks, but that would not have been the case for a 4 day hire . We found the South Oxford to be a lovely canal, less so on the section through to Braunston, which on some sections was more built up and in places industrial. Were I again to hire on the Oxford I would opt to begin South of Braunston. As the Oxford is a contour canal , the oft quoted "it all looks different on the return " is never more apt .

My duck tale is not one of rescue i'm afraid but one of murder ! Driving a tour bus on a return trip from Kathmandu I was negotiating a very rural village in eastern Turkey that was little more than a farmyard. A flock of ducks was "waddling" along the unmade, rather muddy backwater as I slowed to perhaps 20k/ hour. Assuming ducks would flutter away much as a group of chickens might, I continued driving and was mortified to hear a " Thump Thump Thump , under the bus ! OMG ! In my rear view mirror I saw the image of an irate farmer shaking a very irate Fist ! There was no doubt I was the perpetrator of genocide , but we continued on our way In the certain knowledge that duck casserole was likely on the menu that evening . However I got my comeuppance some 30 Km down the road when I heard the unmistakeable Whip, whip, whip of the police siren . The farmer had called in the boys in blue and chased me down . The penalty ? about 50p for each of the deceased, and a forceful wagging of the finger ! ! Never did like duck !

We live in a world of uncertain times . Our Euro trip was somewhat curtailed yesterday when our government issued an updated travel advisory for Istanbul. It had been expected given this last months events . Turkey was one of the great memories of my youth, and I had longed to revisit after 40 years. Todays passing of Ronnie Corbett for me, brought home how lucky I was to live in such untroubled times. Such happy times . But I console myself in the knowledge that life on the cut is still an unchanged experience to be cherished. Its but a short interlude in a busy life , but I can think of nothing to compare for switching off, and forgetting these difficult days . Hope you all wave a Hi when passing in May .

Just wanted to thank all and everyone who responded to my post, especially those who took time to PM me . Despite my 2 previous trips in the last 4 years, I did get some very helpful tips that were not previously known . e.g how to keep boat aligned in the lock when opening ground paddles, something that was always troubling . I am sure we shall ( my 2 novice companions ) be fine, and know they will love it as much as I do. Derek