We are both finding it so hard to get back into the swing of day to day life. A mixture of feeling pretty yuk and not being able to go out much means that all routines are completely out of the window. So what do you do when you just cannot get out of 'holiday mode' ... why you book another holiday of course 😀😄
We have just had ten days in the Spanish sunshine, we have a five day Warner Leisure Hotel holiday booked for September, so what could I choose that is completely different to fill a gap in the middle?
I'm sure you can guess by the photo at the top of this post that I chose a narrow boat holiday, and one that is extremely close to home. There is definite method to my madness as Alan is currently still debating about whether he wants to buy a narrow boat to renovate as a bit of a hobby and it seemed a good idea to 'try before we buy' and combining this with a luxury no-lock, cruising the cut, mini holiday seemed an even better idea.
We had to go for one of the larger of the four boats on offer by the Duck Island Boat Company which is a small company close to home in the local marina, as they are the only ones that you can take your four legged friends onboard with you ... but this should be no hardship at all. With the potential for a bedroom and a bathroom each we can spread out to our hearts content in the 56ft long boat. Of course booking so last minute meant that we had to take the dates that were available, which luckily fell just right for us. It's going to be a total luxury sort of narrowboat holiday, something that we really do need to keep in mind if Alan is buying an old boat to do up. I doubt his will have proper flushing toilets and two en-suites!!
So we have something exciting to look forward to in July ... now what on earth can we do in June?
Sue xx
Oh, and if anyone would like 15% off a White Stuff order I have a link you can use.
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You could visit Blackpool on the 2nd of June. They are bringing all the old trams out and doing a parade along the promenade. Sounds pretty exciting.
ReplyDeleteThat might be interesting, AND you've reminded me that I am going to the Vegan Festival in Morecambe on the 5th June.
DeleteThat could work. There is a light and fireworks show at Blackpool in the evening. Possibly an overnight stay there. You could find something else to do in the two days in between. Pity the Knott End Ferry does not take cars.
DeleteHaha ... I don't think we would need to stay overnight, we are only around 40 minutes from Blackpool.
DeleteI thought you might say that. If you are looking for something to do in August, the Red Arrows are at Blackpool on the 13th and 14th.
DeleteOh, that does sound wonderful. After your gorgeous van and now Lavender Lodge you'll be rattling around in all that space. Thank goodness you are going to be on a lock-free section of canal because they're definitely not 'fragile back friendly'.
ReplyDeleteWhat will Suky and Mavis make of it? Once upon a time we had a small cabin cruiser on our local canal - and then we rescued Ollie who thought he was an otter. Impossible to keep him on the boat and out of the water . . . in the end the dog stayed, the boat got sold!
We are lucky that we live on a completely lock-free stretch of canal. Forty two miles of smooth sailing at 3 miles an hour, we should be able to cruise the entire length in both directions with stops back at home to feed and visit Ginger.
DeleteSuky and Mavis will love it, they walk along the canal almost every day so they are well used to all the boats, wildlife and the towpath etc. but luckily neither of them is even remotely interested in jumping in. I have just ordered them a doggy life jacket each just to be on the safe side though.
I always fancied a boating holiday but it never happened. Perhaps just as well - both husband and Betty are clumsy klutzes, so one (or both) of them would have ended up falling overboard.
ReplyDeleteAlan's pretty clumsy but he was in the Royal Navy for 25 years so he's well versed in small boat type spaces so he should be fine. I have got the dogs a life jacket each just in case as Suky is not built to be a natural swimmer ... I think she would sink like a brick if she fell in!!
DeleteDoes Alan watch any of the several blogs on YouTube about people who live on their narrowboats and widebeams? I journey along with them by proxy - it's all very relaxing, travelling at 3 mph through beautiful and peaceful scenery, accompanied by birdsong. Idyllic way to enjoy a relaxing holiday.
ReplyDeleteAlan uses no social media except Facebook so has never watched a YouTube video in his life. I on the other hand hoover them up like nobodies business :-)
DeleteI have been watching a few narrowboat ones ... mostly so I can show off to Alan with my knowledge terminology and all things boat!! My favourite are Cruising the Cut, Holly - The Café Boat, Weir on the Move and By Bike and Boat. All good in different ways, and when I'm in a mood for sun, sea and beautiful people I watch some Sailing La Vagabonde ... not a narrowboat, but oh what a way to live.
David's boat is up for sale, I wonder if it has found a buyer. He is making Vandemonium videos now, and will be doing some boat trips with other boaters. Wouldn't it be wonderful if he could meet up with you.
DeleteIn a video he did say that his boat sold straight away, he sold it through a company as he knew he would be inundated with enquiries. He did say he would like to cruise the Lancaster Canal now that he is free to hire boats on specific canals rather than having to travel to them didn't he.
DeleteOh, Sue! I’m so jealous! Going on a Long boat has been on my Bucket List for years, but every time we’ve got to the UK it just hasn’t worked out, and quite honestly, I doubt my health (and the lack of Travel insurance cover for me compounded by Covid problems) will enable us to be back. So, please, lots and lots of photos, and I’ll pretend I’m along for the ride.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about taking lots of photos and blogging the trip, so I'll do it just for you. I've wanted to do this for a long time, and luckily we live on a stretch of canal that is suitable for me to do it on, as I wouldn't have been able to help with locks etc at all.
DeleteDarn … that was not anon, it was Virginia!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that, I think I am about to stop publishing Anonymous comments unless they are signed ... as the nasty gits are out in force on some of them and spam bot tossers with dodgy embarrassing links are learning to make a comment sound ALMOST genuine.
DeleteHow exciting the holiday will be, especially if Alan decides to go for doing one up. Just as well there are no locks - my daughter has friends who have a narrowboat and helps them with the locks on long trips and I know such things are not good for bad backs! Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't do a lock to save my life at the moment, so thank goodness for the Lancaster Canal.
DeleteI will be the lady on the chair at the front of the boat, pouring and drinking the coffee or wine and saying 'Watch out for the bank darling' in my poshest voice. :-)
I can just imagine that vividly Sue! LOL .....love it!
DeleteI shall start practising immediately :-)
DeleteOf course you do, it's the best remedy. A narrow boat holiday sounds just the ticket, absolutely perfect. Very posh too - lovely! xx
ReplyDeleteGosh this companies boats are SO posh. We could never in a million years afford to buy a boat like this ... but Alan might very well make us the Poor Man's version :-)
DeleteWe always wanted to float down the Canal du Midi after watching Rick Stein's shows on the TV. But the cost of Boat and Staff for two (and Dog) made it a non-starter - well it was for eight people. That looks a great Lancashire week in style.
ReplyDeleteIt is ridiculously expensive, but when you realise what the boats are worth it makes sense. I wonder if we could employ staff ...... (Haha just kidding ... I have Alan.)
DeleteI think that sounds like a brilliant idea. I've always fancied a holiday on a narrow boat but never managed it and we certainly can't do it now so pleeease take lots of photos for your blog posts. They will be amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt's something completely different for us, I think that's why I decided on it. There will be photos ....
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