pete the gooner

There are probably many who have been to a few Festival who could give an idea. That is why I actually asked the question. Pete

Thanks for that. Never realised so many. If you have been to the Skipton Festival how would you rate the other ones in order. the only Festival i have attended is Skipton and that was really enjoyable. Obviously the setting was magnificent as Skipton is a great place in my opinion. Thanks,Pete

Hi, Earlier in the year we attended the Skipton Festival and thoroughly enjoyed it all. We don't have our own boat(maybe one day we will)but still love being around narrow boats etc. There was a small clip on BBC News a few weeks back about canal(s) being closed at Skipton. I am wondering if this will have any effect on next years festival at Skipton? Does anyone know what the theme is likely to be next year? One other question please. Are there any other festivals happening around the country. I guess they would have to be something special to be better than Skipton- but who knows? Kindest regards, Pete

My wife and I attended the Canal festival and had a great time. I don't know who needs to be thanked for organising and putting on such a wondeful event-- I guess it was hard work. Of course, a big thank-you to all the boat owners for decorating their boats etc in the theme!! The Sunday evening 'sail-past' was spectacular!! Thanks everyone. What a great place Skipton is. We loved it there. Are there anymore similar places to Skipton that you can can rcommend. Any more canal festivals etc coming up? regards, Pete

Not long now till the Festival. Still cannot manage to get a 'programme of events'. However, Roger's info will do for me!! Hope the weather holds out-- al least stays dry-- but I am not holding my breath on that! regards, Pete

Roger and Matt, Thanks again for that valuable info. I hope my wife can get to like narrow boats etc. I thought going to the Festival would be a good start and then a short trip on the canal as a 'taster'. Been a long time for me as well. Shall definitely post some feedback after our week at Skipton. regards, Pete

Roger, Wow!! Thanks everso much for all that very comprehensive information. One thing is for sure-- we ain't gonna be bored at all!! Or go hungry or thirsty come to that!! I have just seen some old clips of film from a previous year on 'youtube' and it does look a great spectacle indeed. Obviously must thank all the narrowboat participants and the organisers Ian and his daughter. I am particularly looking forward to a pint or two in the Narrow Boat Pub. I guess that will be an extremely popular place over the Festival. Thanks also for the tips re canal walks. If we hired a canal boat for the day(after the festival), how far realistically could we go out and back on one. I think the hiring time is something like 10am to 4pm. Looking forward to a trip out on the Settle/Carlise railway as well. Janet, Yes, I agree with you about Farmer's Markets. We have them here in Caerphilly and they are well overpriced as well. Seem very popular though. kindest regards, Pete

Roger, Many thanks indeed for that info etc. Really looking forward to the visit now. The Narrow Boat Pub does sound just my sort of place. What is Skipton like for fish and chips etc? I assume they will have their fair share of curry establishments. I have never been to Skipton before and so pleased we chose that as our base-- it seems just the sort of town we like and being on a canal with a festival-- what could be better. Hope it is good for walking along the canalside as well. I also like railways and being on the Settle/Carlisle line is an added bonus. I hope they release details of the Festival soon. many thanks indeed, Pete

Sadly my wife and I don't own a Narrow boat, yet. I am still trying to convince her after recent health issues I have had. Anyway, that's another story. I have booked into a place in Skipton for the week covering the Festival. The cottage apparently backs on to the canal. I am looking forward to the Festival so much. Even thinking of hiring a narrow boat for the day after the Festival from Pennine Cruises. Cost about £70, i think. I have never been to or seen a canal waterways festival before. I have tried to find out the itinerary for the duration of the Festival but not released yet. Do any of you guys have any ideas what actually goes on etc. Entertainment, street theatre etc etc etc. I have read that it is going to be a "40's theme". I wonder if us foot visitors should dress up etc or would we look out of place etc. Also I read somewhere that the best place for decent real ale and atmosphere is the Narrow Boat Pub in Skipton-- any comments on that please. Looking forward to seeing all the boats etc. hope my wife likes it!! Cheers, Pete

I am afraid that we have no alternative but to sell the house. Hindsight is such a wonderful thing. It is far too personal for me to let you into all the reasons why. Anyway-- what is done is done and we have to move on to the future. Good health is not guranteed as you say, and how right you are. I am in remission from cancer and feel as though I have a second chance- what do I do? Sit down and start to regret evry bad decision I have made, of which there are many-- or just get up and go and live life! regards, Pete

Once a boat has been purchased is it possible to get the name changed to a name of your choosing? Pete

Probably a silly question BUT I am very very new to all this hence putting it on this forum. Is there the equivalent of an AA or RAC for the canals. Of course, I don't expect uniformed men/women to be in fast speed boats ready to attend any poor unfortunate. I was just wondering that in the event of a difficulty /breakdown etc that there was a 'place' to contact who would respond or am I living in cuckoo land! regards, pete

Thanks for that "escape the rat race" web site. That could be very useful for us in our 'plans'. What has been on me and the wife's mind is to live, say, 6 or 7 months in the Philippines(during our winter- my wife comes from the Philippines) and the remainder over here in UK. Renting a boat for 5 months or so would be a viable option for us early on. At least that way we can more or less get used to the idea or throw it out and start again! Mind you, we don't really want to do that. Was even thinking of a static houseboat- that may be an option as well. No idea though where to look for those as rentals.

Hi Barry, Like Marlene and Bill you have gone through all the stages that my wife and I are soon to venture on. I am sure that you will have a lot to share to guys like myself and my wife. We are just trying to get our heads round everything-- daunting task. Firstly we have to sell our house. What a shame that all this economy downturn stuff has happened at the wrong time for us. Barry, you mentioned that you had one or two regrets in the early stages- would you be able to expand on that if it is not too personal. My life has been riddled with bad decisions and would like , as near as poss, to somehow get off on the right foot. If you could keep us up to speed as to how you are getting on then I am sure it would be of immense help to many of us. regards, Pete

Hi Marlene and Bill, Thank you so much for your very encouraging comments. Your philosophy is so right. I was so sorry to hear about all the difficulties you have had- but hey! you've followed your heart! Time does go by very quickly doesn't it? I really want to enjoy life now whilst I am still relatively fit and able to. I guess 'dreams' are for the young-- they become more a possibility or probability when older! One of my favourite sayings of an old dear friend of mine-- long since gone- was "if you cannot change it- then why worry about it". To be honest I have spent quite a lot of time worrying about what I cannot change. Wrong decions made in the past etc. It's too late now and I cannot reverse what has happened. We were also ripped of by thousands by a cowboy builder. BUT- we can affect the future now. Please keep us all in touch with how you are getting on Marlene and Bill. I don't want to patronise in any way-- but it all could be very helpful and inspirational to many of us think of or in the process of venturing on to the canals. I have just bought a couple of CD's from Amazon(more clutter!). One is called 'Living on the Canals' and the other- 'A guide to buying and owning a Narrowboat'. I only had them delivered this morning but have not watched them yet. One thing that does inspire me is the sort of 'community feel' I pick up, even on this site, about life on the canals. That would be important to us. regards, Pete