bestboatingholidays

A number of boat hire companies have invested in new boats for the 2009 season.  This shows their commitment to keeping up a high standard of value to their customers (you and me).  New boats usually bring new technology with them and added features for your comfort on holiday.  Many already have such things as central or warm air heating, for the colder months of the year.  Modern appliances like T.V. and CD Players are now quite common on most boats for hire.

On the Norfolk Broads, Ferry Marina at Horning have taken delivery of new boats this year. So cruising on the River Bure will be even more relaxing and comfortable!  On the Oxfordshire canals, both Oxfordshire Narrowboats at Radcot and Clifton Cruisers at Rugby have spent money on new narrowboats for the 2009 season and beyond.  Reading Marine Company at Padworth have bought new boats to cruise the Kennet and Avon Canals, so life will be very pleasent for those hiring these brand new canal boats!

Finally, right up north in Inverness, Caley Cruisers have invested in new boats to tackle the Caledonian Canal from Loch Ness southwards to Fort William.  These boats are not only suited to canal work but also able to be safe and dry on the open waters of the Scottish lochs!  So why not enquire more about these boats and where to take them on holiday with you this year, somewhere in Britain.

This year my wife and I have been fortunate to go on several canal holidays.  There is something special about arriving at a new location and stepping aboard a canal boat hire.  The welcome from the boat hirer as they show you around is always a treat.  They are very proud of their vessels and keep them clean and tidy.  It is a good time to ask about local must see places of interest and get directions. Once you are familar with your boats layout and controls, your off on your travels!

Casting off, putting the engine in gear and hearing that solid, dependable diesel chugging quietly below your feet is really the fastest way to slow down and relax! If you know what I mean?  As you look around, while you move along at 4 mph, you see people of all sorts enjoying the canal.  All along the canal towpath people are walking, talking, fishing or even getting ready to go paddling in their kayak!  Everything is peaceful.  Ducks are swimming away from you as you approach them and the occasional fish is jumping.  In the nearby fields, cows share the grazing with sheep and young lambs, the farmer is on his tractor doing something with his trailer.  Ahead, you see the first lock on this particular trip, and eagerly anticipate the challenge of entering it without hitting the sides!

If you are lucky there will be a lockeeper ready to take your mooring warps. He would have heard your approach and wandered from his cottage at the side of the lock.  Once your lines are ashore he will close the lock gates and begin to let the water either into the lock or out.  As your narrowboat either rises or falls you keep a close eye on your warps.  Sometimes you need to share a lock, to conserve the water supply, and this is an ideal time to meet other canal boat users.  For a short time you swap either useful information about where they have been or just make idle gossip!

As the lock gates open you are again free to travel on along the smooth waters of the canal. Boat hire for canal cruises is very popular in Britain and Europe.  More and more people are realising the benefits of canal boat hire.  Its an ideal boating holiday.  Relaxing and admiring the incredible scenery on offer is a great attraction for many people looking to get away from their work, even for a short time! 

Along the canal you not only pass through locks but also under bridges, many built more than 200 years ago.  Tunnels are another interesting place to experience, especially the first time!  Very often it is the unusual buildings along the side of the canals that prove to be fascinating mainly because of their history.  Older buildings were part of the industrial revolution and were built because of the benefits of canal transportation.  This ever changing landscape from fields with waterfalls and Follies to inner city buildings, many now converted to luxury apartments, offers some spectacular views.

Why not book a canal boat hire now.  Experience some of the things I have described, and more!  When you come back from your boating holiday, write a comment on this blog telling us all about your wonderful time!

Have you been on a narrowboat holiday?  I would love to hear about your holiday.  Where did you go?  Did you go as a couple or did the family all go on the holiday?  Lots of questions!  I really want to know how your narrowboat experience went.  All the details.  Would you go narrowboating again and why? 

I was brought up with going on holidays on boats. In fact I did not go abroad on holiday until I met my wife and we booked our honeymoon in Crete.  So for 24 years I spent every break on a boat.  Its in my blood and thankfully my wife appreciates the benefits of spending time on a boat.  Whether it is a narrowboat or a sailing boat as long as it is on the water I am happy.  What about you?  What experiences do you have that you can share?

Simply follow these instructions.  Click on this link to O xfordshire Narrowboats  at Lower Heyford, and book a 3, 4 0r 7 night break in May or June. That’s right, you could be away from it all in a weeks time!  Treat the family and yourself to a short cruise along the Oxford Canal and even onto the Grand Union canal. Once aboard your narrowboat you will notice the home from home comforts! These are top quality narrowboats designed especially for your enjoyment.

Next, I recommend starting at Lower Heyford on the South Oxfordshire Canal and travelling northwards towards Fenny Compton you will enjoy the splendid scenery on either side of the canal. Water meadows and breathtaking landscapes as Spring flowers are in full bloom and Summer approaches.  The Cotswolds, well-known for gentle hillsides (‘wolds’), sleepy villages and lovely traditional style pubs lie to the west and north. As you reach Fenny Compton you will moor up at Fenny Marina, a very well maintained facility.

As a new day dawns you will move off along the canal towards Napton junction, which is where the South Oxfordshire canal meets the Grand Union canal.  You will stop for a spot of lunch at Napton Marina, you will notice the restored windmill as you approach, then you can wander around the area. You are going to be busy this afternoon navigating 9 locks at this junction to allow your narrowboat onto the Grand Union Canal, so if you have kids with you, get them involved!

Once through all the locks at Napton, you travel east along the Grand Union to Norton Junction.  This is a very pretty area. Especially when you get to Norton Junction and see the wonderful small cottage on the bank of the canal. If you choose to stop here and moor up you could visit The Bramble Patch at Weedon. This would be of particular interest if you are keen on fabrics, as they have a huge selection. The Patch also hold classes on everything to do with textiles.

Back to the narrowboat and you are now heading for Gayton junction to moor up for the night. Gayton is very well known by canal boat users. It is a junction that allows access to Northampton. However, you are going on towards Bilsworth and the Tunnel, which is the longest in the network. When you arrive at Stoke Bruerne you can visit the wonderful canal museum, with working models, videos, pictorial and three dimensional displays which bring to life the unique 200 year old story of the canal system. The museum has plenty of activities to keep the kids amused while you relax in its cafe. Or spend some time in the Boat Inn. Moor up for the night here and prepare for your return journey.

On the way back you could visit the Boat shop at Brauston for some freshly made bread! Or to pick up a momento of the Grand Union Canal such as a book, picture or guide. Nearer your final destination you could also visit a wonderful country house at Rousham.  Rousham Park House and Garden will really give you the impression of how it was for the gentry living 200 years ago.  Its gardens are still laid out just as they were in the 18 th century.

If this short narrowboat holiday inspires you to book a break away from your busy life then make the decision to book now!

If Ken Barlow decided to go with his latest fling Martha, to the Norfolk Broads; where would be the remotest place to moor up?  Well bearing in mind Ken would need to be near a pub – he’s lived beside one all his life!  I’ve found the perfect place for the two old codgers (lovers).

Martha can moor her canal boat up at Berney Arms and Ken can treat her to a night out in the Berney Arms Inn, the most remote watering hole in the whole of the Norfolk Broads!  It can only be reached by boat, rail or on foot. So Deirdre cannot drive to it. The only thing is there is a great big Windmill, the tallest in Norfolk dominating the area, so you can hardly miss it!

So despite the big windmill, Martha can read her books and Ken can sup his beer, in peace and quiet in remotest Norfolk , well away from coughing screaming Deirdre!