WITH the help of friends, after many years, we will be able to cruise the Kennet & Avon Canal in early September, the last remaining major waterway that we have not been on, writes Gerry Varley.
Any of your readers remembering my last 'offering' to you will know I am based in the North, so a cruise on the Kennet & Avon needs some organisation, but family members who have taken our narrowboat previously can arrange to allow us three weeks on the canal, our taking over at Reading on the Thames.
In dire straits
But all those stoppages have me very worried, and eight since July can only mean that the canal is in dire straits and liable to have stoppages at any time, and though three weeks would allow us to get to Bath and return fairly easily, any major stoppage would mean that those taking the boat back for us would not be able to, having only limited time.
There is little doubt now that the canals have been allowed to deteriorate very badly with so many stoppages, and I have given up on the Huddersfield Narrow, that is another that is in poor condition, which is a shame as going through the [Standedge] tunnel is something every boater should experience. (But if you should attempt it please remember that though Nicholson's tell you that the Huddersfield canals will take 70ft boats, the Huddersfield Broad has a maximum of boat length of only 57ft, so you cannot make a 'through' journey if your boat is longer.)
Might risk it
I think I might risk it, even if to give the family members the chance of a cruise on the Thames, and when I take over at Reading will make the decision!
What I cannot understand is if money is not being spent as it should be on maintenance then where is it being spent?