> where would you folk recommend starting from (accepting that >I'd prefer a start location in the south of the UK, if only to ease the >journey there and back)?
Hi Trevor, If you've never operated a lock, then you might like to start with some narrow ones. So the Midland canals would be best. Napton narrowboats on the South Oxford would give you a choice of cruises without too many locks- through Braunston and Hillmorton to Hawkesbury Junction and back might be a good start- it would get you used to passing lots of oncoming boats and negotiating narrow bridgeholes as well! >** Something I have possibly not made too clear in the past is that I may >well be 'single-handed' for some of the time - but would still wish to enjoy >the option of continuous cruising. Would I need to advertise for temporary >crew perhaps ** Is a 50/60foot narrowboat manageable by one person, with care I'm a short (5ft2") 55 year old woman and I manage single-handed just fine, so you should be OK! It just takes slightly longer as other people have said. My current boat is 58ft long and no problem at all, as long as you have long enough ropes to reach the full length of the boat. It is nice to have help on larger lock flights such as Hatton, Caen Hill or Tardebigge, but an appeal on this list often produces a volunteer or two. I did, however, have to teach myself to steer and operate single-handed when my husband died, as up to that time I had left him to steer while I managed the locks. It would be sensible if you and your wife both did a one-dayboat handling course- (Reading Marine do one which covers both river and canal) and alternated all the jobs so that you could each manage single-handed if you had to- if one of you broke an arm for instance and couldn't work either lock or boat. I would also highly recommend Tony Brooks' 2 day diesel engine course at Reading college. Anne C Ex NB Vital Spark Currently 1/12 NB Serenity Soon to be 1/12 NB Sandalwood
