Beeky wrote: > > Nestling near the weekly report on the price of the average British > gnome, see . . . . > > http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/outdoors/6128480/Cool-canal-authors-take-the-slow-boat.html > bijou snippette >> > > The National Waterways Museums, split between three different > locations, celebrate the enterprise, ingenuity and sheer elbow grease > that made British canals the envy of the world. They may seem idyllic, > meandering through green fields, but they connect us to a working > world, industrial rather than pastoral. > > To say that British canals are booming would be an exaggeration, the > kind of hype that is completely alien to canal folk, who are a gentle, > soft-spoken tribe. But they are certainly enjoying a modest > renaissance. After years when their decline seemed a historic > inevitability, they appear to have regained their niche in public > affection. > > It used to be mainly middle-aged men you saw at the helm of > narrowboats: Horatio Nelson manqués, barking instructions at > bedraggled wives called Hester or Gloria. But the young are also > discovering the joys of canals. Little by little, it has become a more > inclusive world, where all are welcome and nobody looks down on anyone > else. > > << end > > Read the whole thing and contrast with the lock queues & financial > realities - OK there are some references to tight funding in the piece. > > I don't know who else has seen the graphic liveries on the latest BW > vans imploring everybody to enjoy the leisure facilities provided by > the local waterways. I have so far resisted the temptation to > graffitize with " Don't worry it's free - a boater will pay"
Yes, the article gave a lovely impression of a superb system just waiting to be used by all those out there that haven't boated before. But, as there is no crowding on a system that is immaculately maintained by BW who obviously have adequate funds to do the job then, I'm afraid you boaters are going to have to learn that you cannot keep your well kept UK secret to yourselves any more. It is only fair that you share the system with those who wish to walk or bike it.........they have rights too you know ;-))) Roger
