Hello everyone.I haven't jumped straight in, instead, since joining I've sat
and read the latest postings. My 'hands on' experience of canal cruising stems
from cruising a few years ago from Preston Brook to Chester & back, then
Cholmondeston lock to Ellesmere port and back. 2 different years and 2
different experiences. First trip, the boat used was not up to the standard we
expected which tainted the entire trip which was otherwise fairly ok. Second
trip, the boat was pristine and the trip very memorable. Both trips were taken
in late autumn and there was never a problem with moorings, bandits, lock
jamming etc. In fact we were well recieved everywhere, especially when we
dropped into Ellesmere Port with our very photogenic boat. Being autumn, it was
not high season and quite inexpensive, the weather however was beautiful. I
have read the postings here and found a bit of negativity. From the hirer's
point of view, apart from the cost of hire, which couldn't possibly be
sustained for 52 weeks, we seem to be 'cocooned' to some extent from the
effects of BW's charging and ruling regime. I wonder if it is still wise for me
to resist the temptation of buying my own. I think so. ( So far anyway.)
