Ramon would be proud of us

By Daniel McSweeney

Solihull, England — Avid walkers are pretty much unanimous that ‘nothing puts a spring in your step like walking for a great cause.’ We therefore jumped into our ‘sneakers’ to walk in a Diabetes UK fundraiser organized through National Grid. As Sandra says, ‘Anyone knowing the ravages to the human body this disease can cause will understand the importance of fund raising to support further research and outreach programs.’ The walk is the brainchild of National Grid employee Rashad Ali who is trying to get as many people as possible to donate and perhaps trot out their trainers and join the walk.

For readers who might not know, National Grid is the big British multinational electricity and gas utility headquartered near us in Warwick. The company is not only a major energy player connecting UK customers to energy through its transmission networks; but also in the northeastern United States where it delivers electricity to 3.4 million customers. Like many socially responsible firms, it encourages employees to get involved in their communities – and Rashad this year is focusing on raising funds in the fight against diabetes, an affliction impacting 3.6 million Britons.

Called ‘Le Tour de National Grid,’’ Rashad has pulled together a 2016 event involving a brisk stroll along the canals of the English West Midlands.  Altogether, the trek will total about 50 miles – and cover some of the most beautiful English countryside one could ever imagine. We recently joined a 10.4 mile long segment of the summer walk with a few of Sandra’s colleagues from National Grid. Kitted out with rucksacks; bottles of water and fresh fruit, we hiked down the tow road beside the canal stretching from Olton just west of Solihull; south east to the little picturesque village of Lapworth.

Decked out in our turquoise blue ‘Diabetes UK’ tee-shirts, we strolled along the canal that meanders through both heavily populated urban areas as well as rolling English countryside. All the while, the bees buzzed; the waterfowl swam beside us in the canal waters – and at times narrow boats putted by us at a leisurely three miles an hour. And without fail, we were offered friendly waves from canal people on this; one of the nicest summer days in England. One fellow walking along the tow path told us he had the disease – and thanked us for our efforts.

Interestingly enough, diabetes is top of mind in the UK. Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May has Type 1 diabetes. And in the media, a documentary titled ‘Fixing Dad’ is getting lots of air time. It tells the story of two young men who refused to let their father die a premature death from diabetes.   Geoff Whitington, a self-confessed couch potato openly admits that all he did was ‘come home from work, eat my dinner and go to bed.” He shunned exercise; ate copious amounts of junk food, and was overweight. He seemingly had accepted that surgeons were about to lop off one of his feet from the effects of Type 2 diabetes – a condition diagnosed when he was 51.

His filmmaker sons Ian and Anthony intervened and lovingly whipped him into shape. Eating properly; cycling, camping – and even skydiving – became part of his regimen. And as a result, he is now healthy and in 2014 achieved the goal of riding with his sons in a 100-mile Prudential RideLondon cycling event. They filmed the whole process; and 64-year-old Geoff Whitington and his sons have clearly shown that the disease can be reversed. The reality is that none of us have to run marathons or take part in Ironman competitions to combat this insidious disease. As Diabetes UK says, making small changes in our diets and exercising regularly can ‘significantly improve your health.

We walk a lot these days to help us keep fit. I walk Sandra to work pretty much every day. I meet her at the end of the work day and walk her home. It’s a routine that helps keep us fit and perhaps avoid the onslaught of diabetes. I believe walking is one of the healthiest exercises going – especially for folks like us who are less inclined to climb mountains or skydive. (The latter ain’t gonna happen!) And using walking events like Le Tour de National Grid is a logical fit for both health – and helping raise funds to combat diabetes.

Such ‘walkathons’ date back to the early 1950’s.The first was held in Puerto Rico in 1953; an 80-mile foot journey from San Juan to Ponce by actor Ramon Rivero who raised $85,000 in the fight against cancer. His cross-island efforts helped give birth to a charitable walk culture; and he is considered a national hero in Puerto Rico for this effort and other social activist causes. There are of course all kinds of ‘walks’ and runs across the world. In Canada, the most notable perhaps is ‘The Terry Fox Run’ that since 1981 has raised more than $650 million (Cdn) for cancer research.

We are unable to take part in all of this summer’s walks for diabetes here in the Midlands. At the end of season though, we plan to walk the last 20-mile leg along the canals.  On our first walk, we only ran into one problem – a mud hole along the tow path that we all had to walk through or jump in the canal to get around it.  That was not an option, so several of us walked up into the bush and discovered the mud was ankle deep there too. I was wearing a brand new pair of white unsullied trainers (sneakers). They now look like footwear spent at the bottom of a bog. None of us though cared about muddying up our footwear. We were having too much fun and messing up our trainers for such a great cause was more than worth it. Both of us can’t wait to get back on the trail again for our ‘big 20-mile walk’ along the canal; this time all the way up to Hatton.

Note: Please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/LeTourDeNationalGrid and consider making a contribution. All monies go directly to the Diabetes Association. And what’s really great is that National Grid provides matching funds raised by its employees.

 

 

UK Canal dwellers

By Daniel McSweeney

CRICK, England — When I was in high school in the 1960’s on Canada’s east coast, I had a friend with a nice sailboat. It was a ‘Roue 20,’ a sleek 28-foot racing sloop designed by William Roue, the renowned Nova Scotia-born naval architect who also created the famous ‘Bluenose’ racing schooner immortalized on the Canadian dime. I enjoyed ‘crewing’ for my friend along with a few other enthusiastic mates from school. We had great fun scampering around the deck; pulling on ropes; hiking out across the hull with water splashing over us; setting the spinnaker for runs home and performing all ilk of marine duties. And we didn’t even mind being yelled at by our good skipper who skillfully read the Atlantic winds and barked out orders at his obedient crew.

One of my most memorable boat experiences though was not under sail; rather a peaceful anchoring one night with my sailing friends. We hunkered down comfortably away from the main channel not far from McNabs Island at the entrance to Halifax Harbor. After enjoying the beauty of a golden sunset, I reclined in my bunk savoring our sunlit day past of skimming over the Atlantic Ocean. Lulled to sleep by the gentle rolling of the sea; I was disturbed only by the passing of freighters that made our little craft pitch and roll. It was so relaxing and different from life on land. It made me wonder what boat living would be like. It would  not be on a boat like this Roue 20; for by morning with sore backs and painful sun burns, we climbed out into the sunlight craving morning coffee and a shower – neither available on this craft meant for racing and not for living.

My interest in ‘boat living’ re-emerged this past weekend when Sandra and I visited the annual Crick Boat Show just outside Rugby, England. It is Britain’s premier inland waterways festival attracting 25,000 boat enthusiasts. While I wanted to sort out potential canal vacation adventures, I was also intrigued by people who live on these colorful narrow canal boats. Most of the craft are admittedly an impressive 70 feet long; but generally only a scant seven feet wide. That’s hardly enough room to swing a cat. Their owners though ‘trick them out’ to create highly desirable living spaces. And then there are boats with almost twice the width (about 13 feet) – perhaps a much more attractive boat living option. They suffer limitations, however, on the UK canal system. They are too wide for some locks; so must be confined to principal use on the wider river system.

Life changing decision

A lady at the show who has lived on boats for 50 years says choosing to live on any kind of a boat is ‘a life changing decision.’ I can understand that. Most ‘landlubbers’ are connected to municipal water and sewage services. They turn on the tap; and out comes water from a well or community reservoir rather than a holding tank. They flush ‘the john’ and ‘Elvis’ immediately leaves the building.’ There’s no need to find a marina or pumping station to dump the load. They don’t have to haul fuel for heaters; it gets piped in or delivered to your house of bricks and mortar. And most ‘landlubbers’ can park their vehicles on the street or driveway; canal boat dwellers often cannot requiring long walks lugging supplies – logistical inconveniences, although not insurmountable.

“What I can tell is that living on a boat is not just about a summer’s day with a glass of wine,” the veteran of living on the canals told a crowd of potential water dwellers.’ She’s a lady who knows all about life on the water and was at the show representing the ‘Residential Boat Owners Association.’ “Whatever gets on your boat, you have to put it there,” she says in a way that speaks volumes of her experience in such matters. “And that includes everything from fuel, food and water. It involves a lot of heaving and hoeing.” And then revealing her longstanding passion for life afloat, she adds: “But then that’s part of the fun.”

She noted that people get into the boat life in different ways. Some commission the building of their boats; others buy used vessels. When buying a used craft, she recommends hiring a ‘surveyor’ to check out the potential purchase. They have the expertise to detect problems that might bring the buyer grief. As one other boat dweller says, “It is foolhardy to buy a boat without having a survey undertaken by a qualified surveyor …it can save a small fortune.” When building a new boat, the boat show speaker emphasized the need to work closely with builders; to ‘pay as you go’ so that ‘you own the boat’ should the builder run into financial problems and go into receivership.

She also stressed the need to secure a mooring. That can cost anywhere from *$1,000 Cdn along rural canals; to a whopping $40,000 Cdn on the Thames in London. (That is, of course, if you could even find a mooring place available in the big smoke!) She also stressed that if people want to live on a boat because it is cheaper, ‘forget it; that doesn’t work.”  Residential boaters must pay council taxes as well as mooring fees. There are also licence fees that cost somewhere in the range of $1,500 Cdn. Add on to this regular boat maintenance. This includes about $1,800 Cdn to black the hull every two years with epoxy or bitumen to extend its life. Boat dwellers also need to sort out mail delivery; securing dentist and doctors without a ‘land address.’ These would appear, however, to be minor issues that she suggests can be overcome with reasonably little effort.

She warns potential water dwellers not to jump into residential boating on impulse. The idyllic picture of tranquility and carefree lifestyle must be examined realistically. They shouldn’t rely on just what they read in publications about boat living. “When people tell me about what they read in magazines and what it’s going to be like; I say good-bye and good luck.” They need much more information; including some experience with both boats and canals, even if just to rent one for a holiday excursion.“If you don’t get it right,” she warns the audience, “it could turn out to be a very expensive mistake.”

Man overboard

I met a fellow who lives on a narrow boat after discovering ‘a derelict’ 40-year-old vessel under an old West Midlands railway bridge. Like an antique car buff who says ‘they don’t make cars like they used to,’ the current owner feels that way about his vintage boat. “It’s built of good steel,” he told me. “It’s not like some of the newer ones. Their steel can be pretty much rubbish and you almost have to take them out of the water every year to get their hulls blackened.”  His boat is hardly luxurious. It has a small galley; a bunk and a coal and wood fired heater. “I live near my dad,“ he told me, “and because there is no shower, I go to his place just down the road to get cleaned up.” His boat life is by all measure rather primitive – but he loves the peacefulness of canal living; an escape from the rat race.

His experience with canal boat living has been problematic. His efforts to acquire a mooring have not been successful and he must move around when the need arises. “I almost got a mooring place not that long ago,” he told me.“But when I filled out my application, they (the River Canal Trust that oversees the canal system) told me my boat was 10 centimeters longer than acceptable.” He also experienced other perils living on the water. He fell off his boat one cold day in March and was rescued by a mate. He’s quite convinced that he almost died from hypothermia. “I came out of the water shaking all over,” he said. “People don’t know what it’s like until they gone into cold water like that.”

Most people would find ‘boat cruising’ on UK canals a pleasant experience; something to fill up time in retirement; or escape on weekends from the pressures of work. Living on a boat, however, is another matter altogether. While it is a lifestyle that offers rewards;  a lot of work is involved. And while boat living might be cheaper in some respects;  it depends on the circumstances.  For instance, we were intrigued with the luxurious wide berthed narrow boats that you can buy for between $200 -300,000 Cdn. Given the price of real estate here in the UK, that seems like a good deal. When you add up all the other costs, however, it might not be that attractive.

I agree with the half century boat dweller at the Crick boat show. Economic reasons should not be the main consideration. It’s all about lifestyle preferences. Some people will love it; others will tire of all the ‘heaving and hoeing.’ I have a friend in Canada who loved his recreational boat owning experience. On the other hand, he agrees with the maxim, ‘the best day in a boat owners life is the day you buy the boat and the day you sell it.’ I have decided to avoid both days. We might rent a narrow boat; but that’s all. Truth is I am getting too old for ‘heaving and hoeing.’ Just ask Sandra who must suffer all my incessant complaining about my many aches and pains.

*All dollar figures approximations

Life at 4 miles an hour

By Daniel McSweeney

CRICK, England — It’s hard to imagine a more leisurely way to pass the time than cruising along the United Kingdom’s inland waterways. The canal system wanders through picturesque rolling green hills dotted with cattle and sheep and thatched-roof country homes and cottages. Boaters in long brightly painted narrow craft pass through quaint little villages replete with pubs that bear such names as ‘The Ducks Ditty’ and ‘The Water Witch,’ all serving thirst-quenching ales and traditional pub grub. And if you want to sip a libation while at the boat’s tiller, you can do so without breaking the law – although excessive elbow tipping is not tolerated possibly landing you in the nick.

Once corridors of commerce, the 2,200 miles of UK canals are now pathways of leisure – and the people who boat on these waterways are passionate about them and their canal boats. It is by all measure a grand, relaxing manner of touring the countryside – a pastime some ‘cruisers’ do all year long; at least when it’s not too cold. And you can pretty much tie up wherever you choose without cost – as long as you don’t stay for more than 14 days.  Life on the canals is not without problems. And the boats require maintenance and tender loving care. Most boaters who own such craft accept the work as built in overhead. In fact many enjoy it as a labor of love – such are the delights of the canal.

From ditches to canals

The UK’s inland water system dates back to Roman Britain when canals were constructed to irrigate farmlands, provide drainage, and to connect rivers. It was all part of a synergy of development as communities grew and economies became dependent on improved transportation. Canal building tied into existing river systems; and waterways became ever more important. In fact they became an integral part of economic development; much like railroads and highways today.

Canals then were places of work where horses led along tow paths beside the canals pulled boats laden with huge volumes of goods and commodities. This system of transport was much more efficient than the teams of pack horses that traditionally trudged over roads that turned into seas of mud when the rains came. These ‘barges’ or ‘narrow boats’ changed transportation economics; they bumped up cargo capacities to the range of 30 tonnes. They were also faster and lower cost than the land hauling mode.

And then came the railways and highways that brought about the demise of most working canals. Many fell into dis-use and disrepair. Some went back to nature. Others like the one in Ystradgynlais, Wales were filled in and became roads. All this change, however, was not the end of the inland water system. Since the 1960’s, canals in reality have enjoyed a renaissance that has transformed them from waterways of the industrial revolution to pathways of leisure in modern times. They are still an important part of the modern economy – and add to the rich tapestry of British culture.

Up ‘the Crick’

This past weekend we traveled to Crick, a small English village of about 2,000 that sits like a jewel in the Northamptonshire countryside. It is here on this May bank holiday weekend 25,000 people converged on the Crick Marina where more than 200 exhibitors showcase this recreational boating ‘sub-culture.’ It comes complete with its own elements of canal lingo, newspapers and organized community of inland boaters that live, eat and breathe everything boating. These are the people who embrace canal life and help keep it alive as a unique component of UK life.

I asked one fellow representing a company that manufactures canal boats what makes canal boating so attractive. He looked at me as if I had two heads; or at the least he couldn’t imagine how I didn’t know the answer.  “Spend a weekend on a canal boat,” he said in a rather tutorial tone, “and you will quickly have the answer to your question.’ He’s right of course; and I already knew that cruising UK canals is one of the most relaxing pastimes anywhere. Thousands of boats cruise the canals, however, and I have been told some routes have a rather complex system of manually operated locks. Therefore,  I asked people just how relaxing it might be for a first time canal boater.

The answers were varied. One suggested the beginning boater just needs to use common sense. There is one simple rule – ‘Go slow and stay attentive.’  I  chuckled at the ‘go slow’ because the boats can’t go faster than four miles an hour.  No high speed collisions here! On the other hand, most narrow boats are 50 to 70 feet long – and they can be heavy. Once moving, they build up momentum and you need to know how to stop and maneuver them around other boat traffic.

One experienced boater was vocal about such punters who might think there is nothing to operating these vessels.  She tells how a weekend cruiser plowed into the back of her boat. “All they do is just rent the boat and they think they know it all,” she said. “This fellow just came in too fast and hit us from behind. We have the proper buffers on our boat so we didn’t get damaged,” she added. She speculated, however, that the bump might have caused damage to the other boat requiring an insurance claim. That, however, would be his problem.

I am convinced most people could operate a canal boat with basic training. Most rental companies offer a reasonable amount of instruction. One even provides trained personnel to accompany neophyte boaters on the first part of their journey. After navigating one or two bends and using a few canal locks, new skippers though are probably ready to go it alone. I am also convinced certain rules of canal etiquette can only be learned through experience. Best to apologize profusely – and just smile and wave.

The period from the 1770’s to the 1830’s was ‘the Golden Age of British Canals.’ The system eventually stretched for over 4,000 miles.The canal network is now perhaps enjoying yet another age of greatness in the UK ‘leisure industry.’ The Canal & River Trust that oversees the 250-year old inland water network describes it as ‘one of the finest examples of working industrial heritage, the home to many of the nation’s favorite and rarest creatures and a place that 11 million people visit each year.”  I will write about another aspect of canal life in my next blog – the story of how many people live on their boats – and how these homes on the water can range from rustic to luxurious.  

As one boater says, however, living afloat is definitely not for everyone.