We've just had a delightful conversation with Pete's brother, Dave, about a visit to us in September. And, we know our friend, Clare, will be joining us for a bit in a few weeks. This post is to let all friends and relations know that you are welcome!! You are welcome for a few hours, for a night, or for a travelling few days or more. But you also know that though this is a big boat for two people, it shrinks remarkably fast when more are added! We have learned now that we can put up one person on board for a night; any more than that, and alternative sleeping accommodation is needed. (ps - that's one of the reasons we are still planning for Arabella the broad beam/dutch barge)
So there are a variety of ways you can join us.
A
Park ahead, walk or cycle back to us, and travel for a few hours until we reach your car.
B
Park at a booked B+B, walk, cycle or taxi to us, travel for a while and we'll moor up with you as close to your B+B as we can get. We can eat aboard or off. We can do this for any number of nights!
C
Park at a booked campsite, walk, cycle or taxi to us, travel for a while and we'll moor up with you as close to your campsite as we can get. We can eat aboard or off. Like the B+B option, we can do this for any number of nights. Depending on the towpath, you might be able to set up a tent and we'll carry it and your kit on board during the day.
D
Take a train to a station near us, travel with us, and take a return train from a station later on.
E
Cycle to us, travel with us while we stow your cycles in the bow, then cycle away when you are ready.
F
Hire a boat and travel with us! http://www.hireacanalboat.co.uk
There are probably lots more options!! And some of them are just to come visit when we are moored and not move at all. But we hope that if you follow the blog, you'll keep up with the general direction we are going and will look ahead to see if you can join us for any of it. You truly are welcome. We wish we could accommodate more than one person, but have to be honest and say that it is not easily possible. And if you chose the B+B option, we'll share the cost with you - we'll buy the dinner and the booze!!!
Be creative! We'll be on the Grand Union canal the remainder of July (we expect), as Elizabeth has to have easy access to trains for much work. If you join Pete, you can always learn to lockwind while you move (!). In August and early September, we expect to be on the Oxford Canal and from there, move in to the Warwickshire Ring. We'll bimble along until British Waterways says we need to stop, sometime early November. So, have a look at the maps and come join us!
http://www.canaljunction.com/canal/grand_union.htm
http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/grand-union-canal
http://www.canaljunction.com/canal/oxford.htm
http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/walking/routes/230/oxford-canal-walk
http://www.holidayuk.co.uk/canals/routes/warwickring/index.htm
