I don't know about people using canals as they should be used, I make a living moving freight on the canals, that was what they were built for. I see boats tied up in the southeast that have not moved for years, some have a licence displayed, some not. In days way back no one would dream of mooring in some of the places that they do now. We have to slow down continually to boat past boats where they should not be!. I get all the time "slow down" you are going to fast ( usually about 2mph) when passing these boats that are not tied up in a proper manner. If any one wants a trip on a real working boat/barge to see how it should be done on the canals just let me know. I know canals are for all but after 50 years boating I am getting a little disillusioned about it all.
----- Original Message ----- From: Anne Coleman To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, June 01, 2007 8:55 AM Subject: Re: [canals-list] Off the grid > >This is yet another poor excuse for continuous cruising, and I really >wish BW could do more to control these boaters. People are using this >loop hole to live where they like without paying for moorings, and not >even really interested in the canals on which they live. I agree there are some people who live on boats, who are only there because they are cheap housing, but not all continuous cruisers are like that. Just because someone doesn't have a nice shiny boat which they keep in a marina, doesn't mean they shouldn't be on the canals. To infer someone has no interest in canals from a short TV interview is appalling hubris! This is just like middle-class caravanners looking down on gypsies and wanting them moved on, because they live in vans all year round and can't afford extortionate campsite charges (even if they are allowed to use them!) Why should continuous cruisers have to excuse themselves for what they do? Surely they are the ones who are using the canals as they should be used- not those who emerge from their marinas once or twice a year and moan because they can't tie up where they would like? Again, to deduce that someone doesn't move much from their appearance and the position of their boat is just plain WRONG! It's perfectly possible the TV program arranged to meet them somewhere convenient for the interviewer. Anne C NB Movealong getalong go move shift [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
