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Britain's inland waterways are surely one of the wonders of the world. They were designed and built by true
visionaries and helped to kick-start the industrial revolution. I tend to think of them as being as important in their
day as the railways were in the 19th century and our motorway network is at the moment. With the coming of the canals
in the late 18th century, it suddenly became possible to transport goods and raw materials the length and breadth of the country.
This led the way from an agricultural economy to one based on manufacturing. Of course, times change and the system
fell into terminal decline. However, the canals didn't just go away. The last 50 years has seen a huge resurgence
of interest and, at the moment, canals are being restored and reopened at an almost similar rate to that at which they were
originally built!
I don't want this to turn into a history lesson, though. There are plenty of historians out there who can do the
whole subject better justice than I. What I want to (try to) do is let you know what you can get from the canal system
and how best to enjoy it. here we go then...
From the walkers and fishermen who populate the towpaths, to the die-hard addicts whose boat is their home, our canals
attract all kinds of people. I am guessing, however, that, because you're browsing this website, you've either got a
boat or are thinking of getting one, so let's talk about it from the point of view of the bloke on the tiller!
If you're
a complete novice, there are a number of ways to get aboard and give the whole thing a try. Probably most people's first
experience (mine included) will be a boating holiday - a week or a fortnight on a boat hired from one of the hire companies
that are all over the network. I would recommend this as a starting point for the newcomer. Check out some of
the hire firms (links should be on the "Useful Things" page) and see what takes your fancy. Prices will start at around £350 for a week, depending on the size of the boat,
and you'll get all the equipment you need plus instruction on what and what not to do.
If you don't
have a week to spare, or just fancy the idea of playing around with a boat for a day, many places offer day boat hire
for a much smaller fee. Have you seen our companion site, www.bollington-wharf.co.uk ? You can hire one of Arthur's day boats from £70. One of these wee beasties will take up to 12 people and
you can spend a smashing day pottering up and down the Macc. Go on, give him a ring. You know you want to!
Now let us
assume that you've done all of the above and you haven't been put off. You're champing at the bit to get on board and
nothing is going to hold you back. What next? Well it's time for some serious soul searching. Do you want
a boat just for holidays, somewhere to escape to or do you, like the slightly more unhinged amongst us, want to go the whole
hog and set up home on the canals?
Come back
to Boating For Beginners next week for the next thrilling installment of "Getting Started" and we'll discuss the pros and
cons of owning your own narrowboat.
See you then,
Dave
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