Rob@Oxford

The Thames in Oxford and Abingdon is tanking along and on Red boards, lock keepers at Iffley and Osney locks are not letting boats through. From my local knowledge of the river in Oxford I am reckoning that it will definetley stay on Red until Monday at the earliest... possibly longer as I reckon they are going to keep the flow fast dropping all the levels in case of July flooding like last year!! Having worked on the river every day this week though it certainely makes for interesting times, with some big pulls from weirs being about!!

Hi there, I have joined this site because I want to buy a narrow boat for work!! I have a great idea but do not know were to start so please help.... I manage the Riverside Youth Adventure Centre on the River Thames in Oxford and would like to buy a narrow boat for the centre as it would give me unique waterbased access to most of the counties largest towns and a mobile centre!! I would like to buy what I can only describe as a working narrow boat, one of the 60-70ft ones which have mostly open carrying capacity and not much in the way of accomadation etc. Please excuse my ignorance around the subject this seemed like a ideal place to start my enquiries. So my questions are: Where can I buy one from? Is there a better way to phrase what I am looking for? Is it realistic? How much would a boat cost? Where do I start? What costs are there that would not be obvious to the new person, licences, insurance etc? Anything else of use ANY help, information, guidance, support I will be so grateful for. Many thanks in advance Rob