The season of goodwill?

IS THIS the season of goodwill? For once I have to say I agree with Canal & River Trust Chairman Tony Hales who reportedly referred to some people as being 'sad' (for 'knocking' the Trust.) I though refer to 'sad' leisure boaters 'knocking' those that continuously cruise, writes Pam Pickett.

The attitude that it is unfair that they who use the system less, i.e. leisure boaters 'have to pay' for a mooring, whilst those that continuously cruise don't, really cheeses me off. What happened to personal choice, I ask. If you feel badly done by because you can't cruise and thus need to pay for a mooring, perhaps best not to buy a boat, but to buy a caravan you can park on your drive. Simples!

Keep your eyes on the ball

This argument with regard to who should pay what is I'm afraid going to come back and bite an awful lot of boaters in the butt and not just those continuously cruising! Best to keep your eyes on the ball, or more realistically on CaRT's interpretation of ‘Ghost' moorings, i.e. those paid moorings we keep, but may choose to extensively cruise from.

Choosing to cruise it seems can in the eyes of CaRT have you listed as a continuous cruiser, even if you have a permanent mooring, so best to be careful what you wish for...