We're alright Jack!

NOT only are continuous moorers attracted to 48 hour and 14 day mooring sites but they are increasingly keen to stay on water points. On our recent journey from Stone to London we have encountered two notable examples, writes Roger Fox.

At Long Buckby Wharf an un-named unlicensed 70' craft with a large generator is moored just off the water point. I suspected that it had been there for some time as it's ropes looked as if they hadn't been tied recently and it came with a long hose permanently fitted so that it didn't have to move to fill.

There for months

Its car was parked on the verge and its generator was so noisy that mooring in the area was most uncomfortable. Locals told us that the boat had been there for months.

Why has BW/CART done nothing about it? The boat is seen daily by staff as it is on the track to the Long Buckby depot and less than 50 yards from the top lock where there is a staff office.

Impossible to moor

When we reached Cowley Lock at Uxbridge it was impossible to moor at the sanitary station as a cruiser was tied very firmly right in the middle of the mooring with its curtains closed at 10am in the morning. I muttered and then shouted when I realised that there was someone on board.

A man emerged who told me that I was abusing his home and that this is where he lived! I had no right to demand that he should move. We didn't get our water or empty the toilet. This boat was licenced but had a large ‘For Sale' sign displayed. I wonder if it is freehold mooring?