roger_millin wrote: > Beeky wrote: >> >> Nestling near the weekly report on the price of the average British >> gnome, see . . . . >> >> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/outdoors/6128480/Cool-canal-authors-take-the-slow-boat.html >> bijou snippette >> >> >> The National Waterways Museums, split between three different >> locations, celebrate the enterprise, ingenuity and sheer elbow grease >> that made British canals the envy of the world. They may seem >> idyllic, meandering through green fields, but they connect us to a >> working world, industrial rather than pastoral. >> >> To say that British canals are booming would be an exaggeration, the >> kind of hype that is completely alien to canal folk, who are a >> gentle, soft-spoken tribe. But they are certainly enjoying a modest >> renaissance. After years when their decline seemed a historic >> inevitability, they appear to have regained their niche in public >> affection. >> >> It used to be mainly middle-aged men you saw at the helm of >> narrowboats: Horatio Nelson manqués, barking instructions at >> bedraggled wives called Hester or Gloria. But the young are also >> discovering the joys of canals. Little by little, it has become a >> more inclusive world, where all are welcome and nobody looks down on >> anyone else. >> >> << end >> >> Read the whole thing and contrast with the lock queues & financial >> realities - OK there are some references to tight funding in the >> piece. >> >> I don't know who else has seen the graphic liveries on the latest BW >> vans imploring everybody to enjoy the leisure facilities provided by >> the local waterways. I have so far resisted the temptation to >> graffitize with " Don't worry it's free - a boater will pay" > > > Yes, the article gave a lovely impression of a superb system just > waiting to be used by all those out there that haven't boated before. > But, as there is no crowding on a system that is immaculately > maintained by BW who obviously have adequate funds to do the job > then, I'm afraid you boaters are going to have to learn that you > cannot keep your well kept UK secret to yourselves any more. It is > only fair that you share the system with those who wish to walk or > bike it.........they have rights too you know ;-))) > Roger
It is a secret that *part* of the "UK" is connected to a well funded and very under utilised canal system...keep away we don't want any more grumpy narrowboaters over in Ireland littering the place up ;-) -- Neil Arlidge NB Earnest...Going "home"? TNC...evolving http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/tour.html ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[email protected] mailto:[email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
