Covid affecting canal experience?

[ChrisC44]

My wife and I are considering hiring a narrowboat for July and August this summer. Being from the U.S., it is hard getting up to date information on how covid has affected the cruising experience. Are many canal side pubs closed? Are there travel restrictions? Are there areas to avoid? Are all canal services up and running? Are there more cruisers or less? Anything else we should know?

Thanks in advance

 

ChrisC

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, ChrisC44 said:

My wife and I are considering hiring a narrowboat for July and August this summer. Being from the U.S., it is hard getting up to date information on how covid has affected the cruising experience. Are many canal side pubs closed? Are there travel restrictions? Are there areas to avoid? Are all canal services up and running? Are there more cruisers or less? Anything else we should know?

Thanks in advance

 

ChrisC

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Who can say what the situation will be next summer?

 

I would expect the situation to be much the same as it was last summer after restrictions were lifted. Pubs do occasionally close due to staff shortages but its not common place.

 

Some pubs over here are still currently operating systems of reduced capacity and reduced menus.

 

Restrictions are pretty minimal with mask wearing being voluntary in public places in England. But the devolved nations can set their own rules so if planning to venture into Wales or onto the Scottish canals rules can differ, a bit like States in the US.

 

No travel restrictions are currently in place.

 

Unless we get some vaccine busting variant I would hope and expect the situation to be very similar when you come over.

 

We are boating on the Broads next April.

 

 

Edited October 30, 2021 by The Happy Nomad

[Jen-in-Wellies]

COVID19 will be old hat by next summer. We'll be dealing with the ZOMBIE22 outbreak by then. Braains.

 

Slightly more seriously. The restrictions and pain on going abroad made inland boat hire very popular this summer as people took their holidays in their own country. Next summer, who knows? If you can travel easily here from the States next year, then a lot of UK people will be going abroad too after two years of restrictions.

Jen

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

COVID19 will be old hat by next summer. We'll be dealing with the ZOMBIE22 outbreak by then. Braains.

 

Unfortunately it has started already. (My granddaughter this aft.)