Escaped to the continent
HAVING been a great fan of narrowboatworld over many years and reading with interest the various articles and emails, I continue to read with interest the discontent that there is, writes Ian Campbell.
It is amazing that it has taken so long for people to realise how bad the waterways have become in the UK.
Enough was enough
We had a David Piper narrowboat for over a decade, but coming home from the Thames in 2006 up the South Oxford Canal with miles of scruffy liveaboards using the hedges as lavatories, an undredged shallow canal with virtually no towpaths that were usable, and vegetation reminding one of the jungle we agreed that enough was enough.
Photograph above: Zutphen from the Haven. Below: The Grote Kerk, Dordrecht from WSV Maartensgat.
After much heart searching, we decided to sell the narrowboat and buy either a Dutch barge or a motor cruiser. We decided, ultimately, on a motor cruiser and bought one off plan. We took delivery some 18 months later, in July 2008. Luck was with us and we sold the narrowboat as soon as it went on the market—we still miss her, but the advantage of the cruiser is that there is much more space, one is kept dry and shaded and it is possible to travel much further in greater comfort.
Cruised the continent
We are based in Holland and have cruised extensively there, but have cruised to Paris, Brussels and Berlin. There are no licensing requirements in Holland or Germany, a vignette is required in France—obtainable over the internet and a licence is also required in Belgium Flanders, but not in Wallonia.
Photograph above: Some of the opposition—a barge on the Maas near Venlo. Below: Sunset over the Bergse Maas at Heusden.
Mooring is normally in Yachthavens, but there is bankside mooring, all well maintained. Cruising is again a pleasure. There is no red diesel, but the price is realistic. In tidal water one uses the macerator to empty the blackwater tank and where one must use a pump-out it is either free or under €1.00.
Baltic states
If we fancy a trip up the Thames, then we sail across from Dunkirk—the boat is category B (four metre waves, force 7/8 wind), so one has to wait for suitable weather. There are many other things that have to be put into the equation, but it is not an insurmountable problem. It is also possible to cruise around Denmark and the Baltic States.
Unfortunately, it is not a cheap option, but no boating is! Instead of incessantly moaning, bite the bullet and go continental and see what you are missing.
I thought that this might add food for thought!