That’s it then – all over. How did that happen so quickly?
For the first time in our five years of working and living afloat on a narrowboat, we took a winter mooring. Somehow it’s been nearly four whole months that we have remained (most of the time) in one place.
Some people go into marinas at winter time, and others take advantage of private moorings, but many, like we did, opt for winter moorings arranged by Canal and River Trust (CRT) the charity that has responsibility for most of the inland waterways we use.
There are CRT winter moorings available in selected places across the network, from Yorkshire to Wales and the South to the Midlands. They are made available on a first come, first served basis from 1 November until 28 February. Boaters can choose a month or more up to a maximum of four months. Prices range across 7 bands from costed per metre of boat per month from £8.50 to £26.20. That price is influenced by the location; the price of moorings nearby;, availability of services and facilities nearby like water, waste and rubbish disposal and in some cases electricity; and demand. For ours, water, waste, and rubbish are a short walk up the towpath or a cruise up the river. There is no electric point, and we have positioned ourselves to avoid trees to maximise the available solar energy.
This winter, there have been only two boats moored on the 100 available metres of our chosen location, so there’s been plenty of space for travelling boaters to join us, but no one has. There’s just been us, and Joe. It has been very quiet on the river, perhaps because we’ve gone in and out of flood with anticipated regularity.
We were late arriving on our mooring because of delayed CRT maintenance further down the River Soar, but we made it in the middle of November and we have been able to stay until now, the end of winter mooring.
Advantages?
We’ve not had to plan travel around winter stoppage programmes, which can result in us being stuck in places we wouldn’t have necessarily chosen.
At last we’ve been able to officially join the thousands of people who give their time regularly as volunteers for CRT, working to improve the waterways. We’ve undertaken our required training and enjoyed working alongside many different people, all committed to supporting the waterways that, for us, furnish a wonderful way of life. We are now working with CRT to find ways we can keep volunteering as we continually cruise from place to place.
It has been a huge bonus, and the main reason for us taking this mooring is to be near family. We have been able to help out and be part of their lives again on a regular basis. That may mean we’ve spent way too much time and money in certain coffee shops, but it also means we have had the fun of weekly school pick ups, and the chance to see the world through the rejuvenating eyes of a 7-year old. We’ve been to Panto together.
We’ve made it to school performances, helped in school and at Beaver Scouts, been on the touchlines for football matches and weekly training sessions, and cheered on family runners in competition. Maybe now as we are becoming fixtures, it’s a good time to move on and let them all live their lives in peace so that when we do come back they’ll be (hopefully) pleased to see us again.
It has been wonderful returning to an area where we used to live and work so we could catch up with many friends. I know many of them visit the boat wherever we are, but it’s been great to catch up with them more regularly and to visit their homes.
We haven’t had to even think about where we needed to be to fill up with water, dispose of rubbish, or empty the loo – it’s always been a known short walk or cruise away.
Nor have we had to worry about overstaying our allocated allowed time on our mooring
We have been able to have the car with us, although I shall be glad to live without it once more and not just because I managed to give myself the new experience of an expensive Speed Awareness Course in lieu of points. Oh, for a maximum of 4mph again, and the need to walk everywhere again.
It has been hugely advantageous being able to plan to get major necessary work done on the boat knowing that we didn’t have to move the boat to that work, we could tell people where we were and arrange visits/appointments. As a result, we now have a fantastic lithium iron battery system and are about to have a beautiful bespoke kitchen installed… more on this next week when it begins to become a reality.
It has been wonderful to get involved with community projects. I’ve been involved in helping fundraise to get a primary school sensory room off the ground. I won’t be around to see it to fruition, but I know I’ve brought people together to make a difference.
I’ve also had the real joy of being able to get involved with the local Spinners and Weavers Guild. I’ve learned so much in the process. I’ve also conveniently been near a yarn producer…or is that financially a disadvantage???
Disadvantages?
Having the car to hand has definitely made us lazy! It got me caught for speeding and we’ve used it too much.
Static views can grate on the nerves after a few weeks we’ve discovered.
We love to move, to explore with our home is what we adore doing, but we have hardly moved in 4 months.
Cost – for us £500 for the winter period in addition to our licence fee
Flooding – we knew it was likely on the river, but river levels exceeded previous records this year, and people were evacuated by the fire brigade from just near our mooring. We were offered the chance to leave our home, but we just loosened our ropes to keep ourselves afloat and sat tight.
Winter mud on the towpath has created a constant cleaning battle inside the boat but it hasn’t been anywhere near as bad as we found it on the Ashby Canal last year or in other years on other stretches but as we were continuously cruising then, we could pull up our ropes and move on in search of better surfaces.
Would we do it again?
We would definitely consider it.
Where are we going next?
Initially we are stretching our wings to go just a mile or so further on for the final winter major renovation work, and we will have to then wait because winter work at a lock further on has been delayed – the team working there have found it a frustrating job with more issues and storms have caused additional hold ups. Once that is open and they are now saying that it should be late March, then we will set off again, and we will be ready and happy to do so. Our maximum moorings after that will be back to 14 days in one spot.
Pickingupducks 