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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Narrowboaters knowledge

skipper steering a narrowboat

Is it difficult to go round corners?

What happens if you run aground?

How do you turn a 70 foot narrowboat around?

Let us share zen and the art of narrowboat handling with you.

Steering a holiday boat on the Fenland waterways may seem daunting if it’s your first time, but at Fox Narrowboats we have qualified instructors that will give you full training during the boat handover.

Boat handling is such a fun skill and can be learned at any age, from childhood to retirement, which makes a narrowboat holiday a great experience for family groups.

“Great day, great staff, great boat. First time driving a narrowboat and going through a working lock. Great experience and it was all rather straight forward. Recommend it to anyone.” – Gary Poulter, customer review.

If you are new to narrowboating and canal boat holidays here are three expert tips to boost your confidence as a skipper.

Turning a Corner

The first thing that is different about “driving” a canal boat is that you can only really steer when you are in forward gear. Manoeuvring in reverse is pretty difficult.

Secondly, when turning a corner you will notice that the boat pivots around the centre of its length, which is different to turning in a car. As you turn, the stern (the back end) will swing around. Let the front go past the point where you actually want to turn, before turning the corner. The water is deeper on the bends of many navigations, so keep to the outside when turning a corner so that you don’t run aground.

Getting Unstuck

If you do run aground the best thing to do is gently reverse off of the place you have run aground, and away from the underwater obstruction. If you find you need to use the barge pole to help you as well, use it against the bed of the waterway, or against the bank, not against another boat. You may also need the barge pole when setting off, if moored in a very shallow part of the waterway.

Turning Around

If you’ve come to the end of your journey and want to turn to face back the way you just came, you will need to be on a wide part of the waterway. On narrower canals you may need to find a winding hole, which is a designated turning place. These will be indicated in your guidebook provided with the hire boat. First point your bow into the winding hole, or towards the non-towpath side of the navigation. Push your tiller hard to one side and have the engine in forward gear to slowly and gently turn the boat. If the turning space is tight you may also need to use the barge pole. When you’re far enough around, put the boat in reverse to position the boat into a place where you can move off into your intended new direction. Be wary of the edges of the canal which can sometimes be shallow, (except on the bends where they are sometimes deep!)

Our best tip is to think first, and do any manoeuvre slowly.

It may be hard to imagine if you are sat at home reading about it, but rest assured that when you get going, steering a narrowboat is easily learned. The boat handling training with our RYA qualified instructor can take around an hour at the start of your holiday.

More questions about boating? Check out our FAQs.

You may also like What’s it Like to Actually Steer a Narrowboat?

If you feel ready to give it a go, try booking a daytrip or a holiday now. Check availability here.

Hey! Are you new here? Click ‘Blog’ (top right) and look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the right sidebar to receive more helpful holiday tips about the Fenland Waterways. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you our local, insider knowledge, every two weeks.)

 

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Books TV online narrowboating, Canal Blog, Featured articles

royal gunpowder mills plaque

Image: Gyles and Sheila travel the Lea Navigation, visiting the former Royal Gunpowder Mills and tackling their first manual locks before travelling up the Thames – Nov 2020. Credit: Deposit Photos 318706968.

Great Canal Journeys cruises forward into 2021 with the latest episodes following Sheila and Gyles exploring Staffordshire’s waterways. If you’re not familiar with this Channel 4 TV series, it follows Timothy West, Prunella Scales, Sheila Hancock and Gyles Brandreth taking spectacular canal journeys across Britain and abroad.

Tim and Pru both spoke frankly about Pru’s dementia during the series, which has been praised by Alzheimer’s Research UK. The programme became much more than a calming travelogue exploring beautiful scenery, as a touching portrait of the couple’s marriage began to emerge. It was a sensitive exploration of the trials and joys of growing older. It was both humorous, poignant and meditative. But after ten series of navigating the waterways of the world, Pru’s struggle with Alzheimer’s forced the couple to stop filming.

Will there be any more Great Canal Journeys?

In 2020 Channel 4 continued the series with two new presenters, actor Sheila Hancock and author and presenter Gyles Brandreth. Read: Great Canal Journeys Has Two New Skippers.

In the first episode Timothy West gave the two novice canal boaters some basic training in boat handling. If you want to see what people love about this programme here are some ways to catch up with what you’ve missed.

Watch the Series

Many episodes are available to watch on Channel 4’s on demand streaming service. Great Canal Journeys. The first eight series have also been released on DVD, which you could find on Amazon or look for second-hand copies on eBay.

Read the Book

Timothy West tells the story of the couple’s life and travels, illustrated with beautiful photography in Our Great Canal Journeys: A Lifetime of Memories on Britain’s Most Beautiful Waterways. The book describes their careers as actors while recording their journeys along some of the world’s most scenic waterways. Beyond this, however, it explores with sensitivity how Prunella’s struggle with dementia has both changed, and yet failed to change, their lives together. It is a sometimes funny, sometimes moving reflection on love and life.

If you prefer to listen to the audio book it is read by Timothy West. The book and audio book are available in most good book shops. Great Canal Journeys – book.

What Next for Great Canal Journeys?

The new presenters have been well received by the British public. Sheila, 88, is an English actress and author, who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before starting her career in repertory theatre. Gyles, 73, is a writer, broadcaster, actor, and former politician. He studied at Oxford University, before beginning a career in the media. Last year he also founded Poetry Together, bringing together young and old to connect over the joy of performing poetry. Despite the pandemic, schools and care homes still signed up in their hundreds.

Hopefully the easing of lockdown restrictions will allow Sheila and Gyles to record more episodes exploring the British canals. If you want to take your own great canal journey this year check availability now. We have some great holiday deals to enjoy this summer.

To be notified with new holiday information as it changes, sign up for updates from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and we’ll send you stories, tips and advice about narrowboating around the Fens in 2021.

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Holiday deals & special days, Towns & villages

canal boat moored river cam

Great news! We’re back open for boat hire, mooring customers and the workshop, and we’re looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, and meeting some new people this spring and summer (at a safe social distance!)

As the UK slowly began to ease out of lockdown our local river Great Ouse hosted the Cambridge boat race on April 4th. Cambridge won the 166th men’s Boat Race, and Cambridge also won the Women’s Boat Race, winning by less than one length. The race was moved from its usual residence along the Thames to Ely in Cambridgeshire due to Covid. Check out this guest post about the boat race channel, Sandall’s Cut. (If you’d like to cruise this route by narrowboat we recommend a four night break to comfortably visit Ely.)

So, as staycations are expected to go ahead, and we look forward to the reopening of pubs and restaurants, how can you best enjoy your post-lockdown freedom?

Take a Day Trip

Our day boats can accommodate your household and support bubble before 17th May, but when restrictions are finally eased a boat may carry up to 10 people. (Check current government guidelines.) There is lots of seating up front, so everyone can enjoy the scenery and wildlife as you cruise along with a mug of tea or coffee. You can even bring your dog.

Turn your day trip into a special occasion by pre-ordering a grazing box or traditional afternoon tea from Glam Grazing by Gem.  Her other catering choices include an antipasti graze box, a sweet treat box with prosecco, or a cheese lovers graze box and more.

Alternatively, moor your narrowboat outside J R Stott Fish & Chips in Outwell, to collect your supper, or stop at the idyllic moorings of Outwell basin. It is here that the Wisbech Canal used to join the Well Creek. The parish church of St Clement, Outwell is worth exploring while you are in Outwell.

Take a Holiday

Those three words that many of us have longed to hear! Our narrowboat holidays are an idyllic way to travel and explore Cambridge’s Universities, Ely Cathedral, or Ferry Meadows park. Relax on board our cosy narrowboats and discover the stunning Fenland countryside. It is hoped that May 17th will introduce significant changes to our everyday lives, as pubs and restaurants may reopen their indoor spaces. It is possible that holiday boaters will be able to meet inside – still following the rule of six or two household restriction.

A narrowboat holiday is done at your own pace, you decide when and where to go and where to moor your boat. Our narrowboat holiday breaks can be taken as a week, weekend break or midweek breaks. The boats are comfortably fitted with all mod cons and if you’re new to boating we’ll show you the ropes.

Safety

We have a number of Covid-19 safety measures in place. Some of our boat handover procedure is now on video and we undertake triple cleaning between hire customers.

Read more: Holidays 2021: Narrowboat Staycations to Go Ahead

If you’re ready to plan your adventure on the Fenland waterways Check the boat you want is available now.

To be notified with new holiday information as it changes, sign up for updates from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and we’ll send you stories, tips and advice about narrowboating around the Fens in 2021.

Image: Deposit 253862888 danjmh

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Ely & Cambridge, Fayres & local events, Guest & customer articles

Today as the river Great Ouse hosts the boat race we are fortunate to have a guest post from David Goode Fellow and Praelector of Wolfson College Cambridge regarding the boat race channel on the river Great Ouse.

Cambridge Oxford Boat Race on Ely Ouse Course 2021My friend, and fellow former Senior Proctor (though a year or two before I was Senior Proctor!), Gordon Johnson, asked me to write a few words about the bit of river — Sandall’s Cut — that is hosting the boat race this afternoon, as it also did in 1944. Here are those few words, which I hope you’ll find interesting.

I thought it’d be helpful to overlay a modern map with some reasonable approximations of old courses of some of the Fen rivers, which I’ve colour-coded for convenience. Red shows the course of the Ely Ouse from around 1110 to 1830.

Green shows an old course of the Little Ouse before it was diverted north. No one is entirely sure when that happened. In the Middle Ages, the old Ely Ouse and the old Little Ouse joined roughly where indicated, and then flowed off to the northwest towards Outwell as the Wellenhee (from where Welney gets its name) along what is now the mouth of Littleport Boathaven, and on to Wisbech.

The yellow course is the old course before the river was diverted in the early twelfth century to run through Ely and allow stone to be brought from Barnack Quarry in Northamptonshire, along the Nene to Wisbech, Wellenhee to Littleport, and on to Ely on the red course, to build the cathedral.

This red course via Prickwillow is the one we’re interested in today. Sandall’s Cut, the course used for the boat race, is the long, straight section you can see connecting the two open ends of the old red course.

Before drainage began in the seventeenth century, Wisbech was a sea port on The Wash. Cargo was unloaded there onto smaller boats, which took the Wellenhee across to Littleport, where it was reloaded onto yet smaller boats for the circuitous and difficult journey via Prickwillow to Ely, shown in red.

At some point in the Middle Ages — dating is very difficult, maybe in the fifteenth century, but could possibly have been a bit earlier — a cut was made to connect Lynn (later King’s Lynn) with Littleport, Wisbech’s importance faded, and the once-mighty Wellenhee became a backwater, before finally being bisected by Vermuyden’s Bedford Rivers in the seventeenth century.
Most cargo now came up river from Lynn directly to Littleport in large vessels, but there it met with a problem.

This old, natural, course between Littleport and Ely was too shallow and unreliable for navigation — often too dry in the summer and too boggy in the winter — which is why Sandall’s, or Sandy’s, Cut was dug between 1828 and 1830, offering almost straight navigation on a canalised new river more than 100 feet wide and, at the time, 20 feet deep.

It’s said that some 20,000 navvies dug the cut over two and a half years, all by hand, of course, in those days. The Cutter Inn in Ely took its name not from the boats called cutters, but from those men who cut their way through Middle Fen and Padnal Fen to shorten and straighten the river, and who presumably liked a pint or two at the end of a hard day’s work!

Sandall’s Cut opened in 1830, and there was now a quick, reliable, deep, straight channel, suitable for larger boats, between Littleport and Ely, and river trade flourished.
Well, it didn’t flourish for long. Within twenty years, the railway connecting Ely to the south with Cambridge and London was extended north to King’s Lynn, and from 1850 cargo could travel directly from the docks at Lynn to London on the same day.

Sandall’s Cut’s heyday was short, which is why we’re left today with an impressive four and a half mile long, deep, wide canal that took nearly three years and cost a fortune to cut, connecting two quiet Fenland towns in the middle of nowhere!

If you wish to cruise this route by narrowboat you can check out our holidays and short breaks we recommend a 4 night break to comfortably visit Ely.

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Booking budget tips, Canal Blog, Featured articles

canal boat holiday spring fens

Are you a fan of churches or chocolate?

Bunnies or spring flowers?

And narrowboat holidays?

As springtime approaches let Easter inspire your holiday plans by planning a canal boat route that includes chocolates, churches and newborn spring animals and waterfowl. Here are four reasons why Easter is a great time to book a holiday.

Churches

For stunning and ancient architecture you will be spoilt for choice on a Fox narrowboat trip. As well as Peterborough Cathedral, Ely Cathedral and the churches and colleges of Cambridge, there is also the unusual church at Fotheringhay on the River Nene. Views of this village are dominated by a perpendicular style church, dating in parts to the 15th Century. This was the site of Fotheringhay Castle where Richard III was born, and Mary, Queen of Scots, was tried and beheaded.

In our article Four Churches to Visit When it’s not Even Christmas we highlighted a few impressive churches that you would see when cruising from March to Cambridge. However, if you take the opposite direction when travelling from our March marina, you will eventually come across Wadenhoe Church, before being able to visit Peterborough Cathedral. Read: The Forgotten Churches You Should Visit by Boat

Chocolate Shops

A narrowboat cruise through the quaint villages and market towns of England is a lovely way to visit some charming independent shops. It doesn’t have to be Easter to enjoy a visit to a handmade chocolate shop. All of our boats have WiFi so you can locate your nearest chocolate shop on your chosen cruising route as you travel the waterways.

For example, Cherry Hill Chocolates is set in one of Ely Cathedral’s very own buildings, which fronts the High Street. The atmosphere and setting add to the charm of the freshly handmade chocolates on offer. They also sell ice cream within this beautiful 14th-century vaulted building. There is lots to see in Ely if you moor here during your holiday.

Spring Lambs, Fluffy Chicks, and Cuddly Bunnies

On a narrowboat holiday in East Anglia you may see sheep and cattle grazing in the fields, or ducks, ducklings, geese, goslings, swans and cygnets passing you by. But if you want to actually handle and feed the animals, you could visit a child friendly farm.

Sacrewell Farm is near Wansford, on The River Nene; Foxboat Route 4. Here in 550 acres of outdoor spaces there are animals to meet, as well as a recently restored 18th century watermill and a mini maze to explore. Highlights include horses, pigs, sheep, alpacas, goats, chickens and Jess the farm cat.

Church Farm can be found in Stow Bardolph, 15 miles north of Ely. Here children and grown-ups will be able to make friends with a whole range of ‘tame animals’ and their young. Animals at the farm include horses, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, poultry, guinea pigs, and cuddly bunnies. There’s also an adventure playground, or you could even try pig racing. Church Farm, can be visited as part of your narrowboat holiday if you cruise the River Ouse and moor at Downham Market You would be wise to take a taxi ride

(Check up to date information and opening times before travelling to any farm or tourist attraction during the current covid restrictions.)

Spring Flowers

Spring is a beautiful time to visit the Fenland waterways, with blossom on the trees, and primroses and daffodils to discover as you travel. If you are new to narrowboating it’s a wonderful way to travel in comfort while getting up close and personal with the wonders of nature. Boat handling training is provided at the start of your trip. Check availability now and plan your staycation for this spring or summer.

The end of the first lockdown last March saw holidaymakers desperate to get away on holiday, but with travel restrictions in place, it was easier to book a staycation than an overseas trip. So staycations are again anticipated to be popular this year, and early booking is advisable.

Read the full details of our Coronavirus guarantee.

To be notified with new holiday information as it changes, sign up for updates from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and we’ll send you stories, tips and advice about narrowboating around the Fens in 2021.

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Books TV online narrowboating, Canal Blog, Featured articles, Narrowboaters knowledge

 

nature cure richard mabey

Can exploring a new rural landscape rescue you from a mental health crisis?

Maybe.

Richard Mabey’s book ‘Nature Cure’, describes his recovery from severe depression through walking, watching and writing about the Eastern region’s beautiful landscapes. Richard Mabey is a naturalist and award-winning author and journalist. He won wide acclaim on the publication of ‘Food for Free’ back in 1972. This was the definitive illustrated guide for aspiring foragers, listing dozens of edible plants and recipes.

If you want to restore your mental health and lift your low mood by walking in nature, we suggest taking a narrowboat journey to Wicken Fen nature reserve this year.

There you will find “Mother…” an art installation by Studio Morison, which can be found on the adventurers trail in the nature reserve. It is inspired by the restorative qualities of the beautiful fen landscape as described in Mabey’s book ‘Nature Cure’, and childhood memories of visiting the Fens and the Wash. It is a sculptural structure, and also a pavilion, that you can sit inside, and contemplate nature.

If you love to be lost in the landscape, but still keep all home comforts close at hand a Fenland narrowboat break could be just what you are looking for. Fenland, also known as the Fens, is an area of low-lying land in eastern England, with a fascinating number of navigable waterways to explore. As well as stunning countryside a Fenland holiday can included visits to charming villages, bustling market towns, the historic Ely Cathedral, and the famous Cambridge University colleges.

While we do expect to be busy this summer, our local waterways are always less crowded than the Norfolk Broads. So you will find plenty of peace and solitude under our vast Fenland skies. One of our best kept local secrets is the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve.

A fen is a type of wetland, similar to a marsh, swamp or bog. At the National Trust’s Wicken Fen, you can moor up at the end of Wicken Lode, see how the Fens used to look before they were drained, and visit the last working wind pump. There’s also a traditional Fenman’s cottage and a chance to explore the natural history of the area with nature walks.

Wicken Fen is a 12 hour cruise from our hire boat base in March, but you may want to take it slow, over a few days, and visit other places along the way. From our marina you will travel along the Old River Nene through the picturesque village of Outwell, to Salter’s Lode Junction. The River Great Ouse will take you south to the River Cam, and Wicken Lode will take you to Wicken Fen. The term “Lode” is an old English word meaning way or course. (Our suggestion for visiting Wicken Fen would be a holiday of a week or longer as time needs allowing for the tide crossing at Salters Lode.)

Wicken Lode turns off Reach Lode, and crosses Wicken Sedge Fen, running for nearly 1.5 miles to just short of the village of Wicken. There is a right of public navigation as far as its junction with Monk’s Lode.

Wicken Fen is one of the oldest nature reserves in England, as the National Trust bought their first part of it in 1899. The wetland is maintained by a drainage windmill pump and The National Trust Warden’s office includes a display which tells the history of the Fen and how it has been managed.

There are nature trails, boardwalks and a cycle route to explore the wet grassland, reed beds and scrub woodland. Visitors love the big skies, outdoor spaces, nature and wildlife. There are picnic tables in the car park and beside the boat house near the Visitor Centre. Dogs on leads are welcome on routes in the wider reserve. At the time of writing the café is temporarily closed, but you can keep up to date with any changes in current guidelines at The National Trust Website.

If you want to give your mental health a boost by wandering free under Fenland skies, and treading in the footsteps of famous forager Richard Mabey, then check availability now to book yourself a self-catering narrowboat staycation this summer. Wicken Fen is a real favourite for boaters travelling East from our base onto the river Great Ouse and its tributaries.

We want to offer you peace of mind, so Fox Narrowboats have a flexible booking policy for your protection. Read the full details of our Coronavirus guarantee. Also, if you book and pay in full for your 2021 holiday by 31st March you will beat the 15% VAT price increase.

To be notified with new holiday information as it changes, sign up for updates from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and we’ll send you stories, tips and advice about narrowboating around the Fens in 2021.

Image: Wiki CC Paul Tuli Wicken Fen

 

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Booking budget tips, Canal Blog, Featured articles

inside fox canalboat

Is it wise to book a canal boat holiday for this year? Here’s our advice for you, if you’re struggling to decide whether to make any plans for a waterways getaway this summer.

Many of us are really feeling the need for a holiday this year. If after weeks in lockdown your desire to travel is starting to get the better of you, you may even be tempted to start dreaming of travelling abroad. However, The UK government has recently advised against booking a summer holiday abroad, and has even discussed introducing quarantine hotels.

The end of the first lockdown last March saw holidaymakers desperate to get away on holiday, but with so many travel restrictions in place, it was easier to book a staycation than an overseas trip. So staycations are again anticipated to be popular this year, and early booking is advisable.

How could things change later on this year?

A narrowboat staycation could be an attractive option this year, as the coronavirus vaccine continues to be rolled out. There are hopes that the vaccine will allow UK travel restrictions to be eased later in the year.

Previously the Prime Minister said he was “optimistic” people will be able to have holidays this summer, but that it would depend on things like the vaccine programme going well. The government gave an update on lifting lockdown on the 22nd February. Here is a useful BBC Article – Roadmap for lifting lockdown (23/02/21)

We are scheduled to open for holidays on 12th April 2021 if the roadmap allows.

Should I risk booking a canal holiday now?

We want to offer you peace of mind, so Fox Narrowboats have a flexible booking policy for your protection. This means that you could move your holiday to a later date with no ammendment fee if any coronavirus restrictions change your plans. Alternatively we also have a full no quibble refund, (terms apply).

Read the full details of our Coronavirus guarantee.

15% Discount

Now is a good time to book a Fox Boats holiday because there is currently a price discount of 15% available, due to the government’s VAT cut to 5% for the tourism and hospitality sectors. However, this is due to increase in April. So if you book and pay in full for your 2021 holiday by 31st March you will beat the 15% VAT price increase, as we are a cash accounting business.

Safety

We also have a number of Covid-19 safety measures in place. Day boats and holiday hire capacity are reduced to six people per group at the moment. Some of our boat handover procedure is now on video and we undertake triple cleaning between hire customers.

Read more: Holidays 2021: Narrowboat Staycations to Go Ahead

Check the boat you want is available now.

To be notified with new holiday information as it changes, sign up for updates from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and we’ll send you stories, tips and advice about narrowboating around the Fens in 2021.

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Holiday deals & special days

The government has recently advised against booking a summer holiday abroad this summer, and discussed introducing quarantine hotels. Meanwhile, Valentine’s Day has just gone by and many of us are thinking of creative ways to surprise our partners; and yet romantic restaurants and hotels remain closed due to lockdown.

Booking a romantic narrowboat break is the perfect solution.

Your partner deserves a little getaway to look forward to later this year, and booking something in the UK is the safest option right now. England’s stunning countryside and rich heritage make it this year’s most romantic destination! We are looking forward to the day when boating will reopen and our holidays and day trips can continue. (Remember your booking is covered by our Covid guarantee.) Booking early will guarantee the dates that suit you and your plans.

Here are four reasons why narrowboats are the most romantic break right now.

A Different Date Every Day

One day you could be strolling hand in hand through a quiet nature reserve, the next you could be discovering the historical colleges and charming streets of Cambridge. From pretty village walks, quaint churches and cosy pubs, to the nostalgic steam trains of the Nene Valley Railway, the Fens offer an idyllic English countryside experience. Shop in ancient market towns and discover quaint independent shops. Then eat out in a fancy restaurant, or absorb the incredible architecture of Ely Cathedral. A waterways guide book is provided with your boat and will give you lots of ideas of places to stop, whichever boating route you decide to take.

More Glamour Than Glamping

A narrowboat is the perfect way to enjoy being close to nature with all the modern conveniences of staying in a holiday cottage. You may be surprised to discover that your boat comes equipped with radiator central heating, a microwave, hairdryer, WiFi, flatscreen TV with Freeview, full size oven, fridge, electric power points, and comfortable duvets and bed linen. It’s a cosy and secluded place to snuggle up with a glass of wine together at the end of the day. Enjoy the solitude of your own private boat on the quiet East Anglian waterways. Our Rural Fox narrowboat is perfect for a couple, and the price includes VAT, diesel, gas, car parking, towels and bedlinen. Brand new in 2019, Rural Fox is a luxury narrow boat with fully fitted galley and a saloon with a folding table for eating.

The View Changes Daily

A luxury hire boat is the romantic hideaway that moves, and the view changes every day. You may start the day moored in the countryside, with only swans and livestock as your neighbours, but by that evening you could be moored in historic Ely, wandering the ancient streets and deciding on the perfect romantic restaurant. Variety is the spice of life, and will keep your romantic holiday interesting!

New Experiences Create Shared Memories

If it’s your first time learning to navigate and steer a canal boat it can bring you closer together to develop these new skills. (Read: What’s it Like to Actually Steer a Narrowboat?) We offer free boat handling training at the start of your holiday. You get to plan your own route, and decide where to shop and where to eat as you go along. Take lots of photos and reminisce about these memories long after the holiday is over. An adventure shared is a bonding experience.

On a three night weekend break you could cruise to the cathedral city of Ely, or head along the pretty River Nene to Ferry Meadows Country Park. (Read more in: Two Valentine’s Breaks to Fall in Love With.) There’s nothing like spending quality time together cruising the waterways on your own narrowboat; just the two of you. Give yourself something really special for you both to look forward to this year.

Top tip: You can beat the VAT 15% price rise if you book and pay in full by 31st March 2021.

Love canal boating? For more surprising and unusual tips and ideas for days out on the Fenland Waterways, enter your email address in the box in the right side-bar (‘Follow blog’) and we’ll send you articles direct to your in box.

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by Tim MarrowPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Narrowboaters knowledge

first time narrowboating

Are you new to narrowboating?

Are you planning your first canal boat holiday?

Do you want to be well-prepared before you set off?

Let us share a few insider secrets that every new boater should know. These simple safety tips will ensure that your first cruise is a great success, and that everyone has the best holiday.

Who’s in charge?

Before you board your narrowboat you may like to choose a skipper for your group. Our trained instructor will make sure the skipper and crew know how to handle your narrowboat, and have all the skills needed for the Fenland waterways. We will also provide any information you may need about our local navigation conditions and tides.

As you board your holiday boat you can rest assured that the Fox Narrowboats team will have already prepared it, checking that the engine and fuel systems are in good condition, and that the boat meets all of the standard Boat Safety Scheme requirements.

Plan Your Route

You can make a rough plan about where you want to go using the waterways guide book provided with the boat. You may also like to plan your route from home before you visit Fox Boats, with an online service such as BoatSatNav or CanalPlanAC. But bear in mind that when cruising you may not always be in an area with a good phone signal, so you will also need the guide book as a backup. To really enjoy yourself it’s important to allow enough time to complete your journey without rushing, and allow plenty of time for stops and visits to local villages, towns, landmarks and other attractions. You can add the number of locks in your route to the number of miles and divide by three to get an idea of the number of hours your cruise will take. However, it may take longer if you need to wait to use a lock, or if you find a lovely place that inspires you to stop for longer!

There should be enough fuel on board for your trip, but depending on how long your planned journey is, and how many crew members are on board, you may need to factor in re-filling the water tank at a waterways service point. These boaters facilities will be marked in your canal guide book.

Make sure you keep your mobile phone charged as you travel, in case of emergency. There are charging points on board. You may like to save the Fox Narrowboats number into your phone.

Safety First

Even though you may be on holiday, boating and drinking is not such a good idea. Alcohol is often a contributory factor to drowning accidents in the UK. The chances of a boating accident happening increase when you drink alcohol, so we advise waiting until you have moored up for the day, before enjoying a drink. We also do not recommend cruising in the dark, or when there is poor visibility. If you do have to do this please take extra care.

Shipshape

Before you set off, spend some time getting to know your boat. The back end is called the stern, the pointy end is the bow! If you are standing at the back of the boat, in the steerer’s position, the right side of the boat will be starboard. The left side of your boat is called port.

And finally, before you begin your cruise make sure you know the location of any safety equipment, such as lifejackets, the fire extinguishers, fire blanket, first aid kit and a torch. Your Foxboats instructor will show you where to find the anchor, bilge pump, mooring stakes and hammer, boat pole, gangplank, and windlasses. A windlass is an essential L-shaped tool that allows you to work the locks. You should also make sure you know where are the emergency shut-offs for the battery, gas and fuel. It may seem like a lot to learn but this will all become clear when you arrive for your Fox Narrowboat handover, and our friendly staff will be there to answer any queries you may have.

Having read this article we hope you now feel confident enough to nominate yourself the skipper of your crew! You may also like to read: What’s it Like to Actually Steer a Narrowboat?

More to read: The Top 10 Narrowboat Holiday Ideas for 2021

For more ideas to add to this year’s holiday plans, sign up for digital updates from this blog. (We never share or sell email addresses – your details are safe with us.) Just look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the sidebar on the right and get insider knowledge about the Fenland Waterways.

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by Paula SyredPosted on Posted in Canal Blog, Featured articles, Get healthy

canal lock

Have you been experiencing anxiety?

Are you suffering from low-mood?

Have the events of 2020 left you feeling isolated?

You are not alone. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated many common mental health problems in the UK population, leading to concerns that there is currently a mental health crisis. The NHS, small community groups and national charities have all done their best to support anyone reaching out for help in 2020. But what can you do to support your own mental health and wellbeing?

Good mental wellbeing does not mean that you no longer experience life’s challenges or difficult feelings, but it does mean maintaining your inner resilience so that you can cope with life’s ups and downs as they happen. Here are five ways to improve your mental health in 2021.

Get Active

Taking a narrowboat day trip or canal boat holiday can be a fun way to take part in some gentle physical activity. Boat handling involves pulling mooring ropes, hammering mooring pins, and operating locks. Using a lock includes winding the paddles, pushing balance beams, opening lock gates, holding mooring ropes and sometimes climbing ladders. Between locks you may find yourself walking on the towpath, and when the boat is moored up you may enjoy longer walks, just for fun. Dogs are welcome on most of our hire boats.

Human Connections

If this age of social isolation has taught us anything, it is the value of our friends and family, and connecting with other human beings. Book a narrowboat trip with your family and support bubble this year, and take the opportunity to spend some quality time together. Boats can be hired for weekend, midweek or week breaks, as well as 10, 11 or 14 nights.

Connect With Nature

Spending time outdoors is widely recognised as being beneficial for mental and physical health. Exercising outdoors, or practicing mindfulness outdoors, have both been proven to increase wellbeing. Mindfulness is simply focussing your awareness on the present moment without judgement. Being around animals can also have positive effects. Nature improves mood and reduces stress. It can improve confidence and self-esteem, and improve your physical health by encouraging you to be more active. We hire canal boats near to Cambridge and Ely from our marina in March, Cambridgeshire. The Fenland waterways are a large network of rivers and canals packed with wildlife to enjoy.

Connect With Others

Helping others is a recognised way to improve your own sense of wellbeing as it shifts the focus away from ruminating about your own issues. If you love canals you could use the NCBA website to find your nearest community boating project and get involved. Local projects tend to facilitate access to the waterways for disadvantaged and excluded groups, promote social cohesion and protect the environment. Alternatively you could volunteer with the Canal and Rivers Trust or the Inland Waterways Association to get that feel-good factor that comes with helping others.

Take a Break

Enjoying the outdoors is a real benefit of travelling by canal boat. The activities needed to operate the boat and locks will help you to keep fit and active whilst also experiencing the stunning Fenland waterways. If towpath walking or jogging isn’t your thing, then boost your mental health with a creative hobby such as photography or painting. It’s not all about outdoor activity. A canal boat holiday is taken at a leisurely pace, and at the end of an active day enjoying life on the waterways you can sleep peacefully in a comfortable narrowboat cabin. Remember, self-care is a necessity not a luxury. So check our availability now for a narrowboat break this year. Search canal boat breaks.

Keep up with the latest news: Click ‘Blog’ (top right) and look for ‘Follow Blog’ in the right sidebar to get the latest helpful holiday tips in these changing times. (We never share or sell email addresses, we’ll only be sending you our local, insider knowledge, every two weeks.)

 

 

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