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FROM the many reports we have received today (Friday) it is obvious that the waterways have ground to a standstill as most boaters have 'given-up' owing to the downpours that swept the country.
The Severn, Trent, Soar, Aire, Calder, Hebble and now we understand the Thames, are all in flood with the canals such as the Oxford and Caldon, that rely on passage on rivers, also impassible at those locations. the Eastern navigable rivers such as the Nene, Great River Ouse and Middle Level are all in flood. The Witham too, we learn.
Soaking wet
Many boaters have emailed us stating that they have 'given-up' with the downpours leaving them soaking wet, so have moored for the day in the hope that things get better.
One hire company, that ask that we do not name, had three cancellations of bookings that were due to start tomorrow, all blaming the weather and particularly the forecast for next week.
From boaters
Here are a few of the comments, that we have chosen from boaters who are known to us, and regularly contribute:
"This is the final nail for us. We have been out a month and I'm sure it has rained every single day."—Helen Cripps.
"I thought that flaming June and July Summer would be a change from our normal late cruise, and we'll put up with the crowds, but there aren't any, just rain."—T. Lang.
"So much for cruising the Yorkshire waterways. We are lucky to still have a boat, and even now are watching the nearby river rising."—Jim Cracken.
"Welcome to the wonderful waterways of Canal & River Trust! What a welcome indeed. We are completely stuck on the Oxford, with little chance of making it to our moorings."—Jimmy Lockwood.
"Trying to do the Leicester Ring, with just under a fortnight to do it in—easy peasy! Tomorrow it will be three weeks, and only by having a replacement crew am I still trying. Stuck by an empty pound below Kilby Bridge, stuck by the flooded Soar then stuck by a flooded Trent, then stuck again by a boater who had managed to lift out a lock gate. And now the bloody rain."—Charles Black.
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