Top 20 tips drawn from hard experience – ours and others – here to help you have a fab holiday.
- Packing – whatever you think you need in terms of luggage – halve it!
- If you think the old waterproofs from the back of the hall cupboard will be fine, put them on and stand under the shower for 20 minutes. Buy new ones.
- Take time to smile and say hello to everyone you meet – on the waterways we’re a sociable bunch.
- Don’t hesitate to take the chance to try new things/foods/experiences, and ask/take help or advice to make the most of it.
- Remember that boating particularly is a team sport – let all adults particularly have a go at everything. Share – don’t hog the tiller or force some poor soul to stand out there for hours. What’s the worst that can happen at 3 or 4mph?
- Do be aware of the Marmite factor – with boats, tents, caravans, chalets etc. the swingometer goes from “We need to buy a boat, tent, caravan, chalet” to “Never again.” The former can change your life as we know well!
- Enjoyment and exploring is never time wasting. Don’t miss hidden delights because you’re rushing on. These discoveries are the memories you’ll keep.
- Invest a moment to determine which move of the throttle is forward and which reverse is time well spent (narrowboats, cruisers, speedboats etc.)
- Do be aware the perfect manoeuvre or fluent stand up on a paddle board will rarely, or never be witnessed.
- Do be aware your Suez moment, capsize or crash will always have an audience – they materialise out of nowhere just when you’re wishing them on the other side of the plant!
- Do remember that stopping a 15+ ton metal boat moving inextricably in the direction you don’t want it to go does happen – worth being aware of this if you are in a kayak canoe, paddle board or floating unicorn approaching said boat…reverse can help everyone in such a situation.
- Switch off – you all need a break. If you have a smart phone disable your emails – you win pity not prizes for being a workaholic. Use your phone as a camera to capture those moments which will help your holiday last for years to come. If you want to, harness the bird spotting, tree and plant identification apps available and come back having learned new things.
- Use all your senses – smell the honeysuckle and wild roses, hear the birdsong, feel the touch of the wind/sun/rain on your face (sometimes all three in a day knowing the British weather!), really look around you and see the sights and beauty that surrounds you, taste the local delicacies, beers and specialities of the area.
- Slow down – we miss things if we go too fast. Take time, make time to go to local events and floating markets. You never know who you’ll meet!
- Talk more to those around you but also take time to enjoy quiet and peaceful times too, with others or by yourself.
- Take turns – If you’re travelling as a family everyone, (whatever their age) can be responsible for one evening meal. This may be borrowing money for the chip shop, cooking from scratch, bbq-ing, or sourcing a take away!
- Play – take board games – it’s a great way of having fun if the sun is wet… Family favourites and a new one or two is a great combination.
- Always respect the water – particularly at locks. Water and strong currents can be deadly. Lifejackets are essential for little ones.
- Make sure you use the time you have to savour precious time together – remember when we couldn’t?
- Relax, have fun, and make some fantastic memories. The last 18 months have been tough – make this a holiday to remember for the right reasons – spending time enjoying yourself, solo or with others.
Happy holidays – however you’re enjoying the water the Waterways Code may help to make it even better.
Pickingupducks 