Philskey

I always ensure my sea searcher magnet is near to hand. My wife is terrible for "losing" the windlass!

Why is it the majority of fishermen are at best ignorant and worst damn rude? Now being a mere shareholder in an ex Ownership boat I only manage three to four weeks a year but I never cease to be amazed at the way in which fishermen conduct themselves. They even seen to indoctrinate their manner on to their young children.

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Having watched the entire series I would suggest perhaps the programme is aimed at prospective canal enthusiasts. True, the content is nothing new to the majority of users of this board but I have heard some very positive comments from those who would not know a windlass from a mooring pin.

Sorry I cannot comment on living aboard full time with children We have a 13 year old daughter and spend just 3-4 weeks aboard our shared ownership boat a year. Having tried everything to entice her to enjoy this time it has all been futile. She hates the boat with a passion. It's boring! Nothing to do! You name it I've heard it. I wish you well, perhaps with a younger child you may have a chance but as for me it's a no hoper.

I wish you would. I have a thirteen year old daughter who hates the boat and all things waterways with a passion. We have taken her friends. We are moored at Heritage now and have stopped in Stoke on Trent done the cinema, swimming, McDonalds, you name it I have tried it! All to no avail. If you should have the answer I would be eternall grateful.

Well said, I echo your sentiments entirely. I had problems on The Ashton last month, fortunately we had an all male crew so it was not too much of a problem but not a place I would wish to take my wife and daughter. I too received much the same reception from members of this board. Despite the low life I do hope you enjoyed Stratford birthplace of The Bard!

I do not consider myself to be either blinkered or brainwashed. I have owned a share in NB Cookley since she was built in 2003 and not regretted a penny. Prior to that I had hired from Viking Afloat and a weeks rental in July 2002 cost me more than my annual "sink fund" contribution for three weeks use of Cookley with Ownerships. I would say Viking Afloat provided me with a very comfortable 60ft cruiser which I believe at the time was less than a year old but it still did not compare to the comfort and level of fit out to a similar Ownerships boat. Of course shared ownership does not compare with a boat of your own but with only five weeks annual leave a year would I get full use from a boat of my own? I think not! In fact it is only the work ethic that stops me taking advantage of much more time afloat than the three pre booked weeks plus any extras that come ones way. There is then the rest of the family to consider who do not wish to take all of their holiday on the canal, so at the moment Ownerships just suits me fine!

Why not take a look at Ownerships? Cheaper than your own boat, and hiring. www.ownerships.co.uk

There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to do good. For some reason I appear to be judged as the guilty party here. The truth of the matter is I was minding my own business cruising down the Ashton Canal when my boat and crew were subjected to a tirrade of abuse by local children. We did nothing to provoke this situation neither were we abusive to those involved in fact quite the opposite. If the readers of this board condone this as acceptable behaviour then so be it. I have been the victim of crime on numerous occasions - theft, burglary, assault, and fraud you must excuse me if I choose not to offer the hand of friendship to those responsible. The Cheshire Ring was a fantastic boating experience and one which I and my crew enjoyed immensely. It was marred by a minority on one strech of waterway where I shall not return. I sincerely hope Boatchad enjoys many more trips on The Ashton without incident but should he be unfortunate as I was then don't complain.

I assume you are a social worker, or some other sort of do-gooder.

I always encourage my own children to have respect for themselves and other people. I judge and treat everyone as I would wish to be treated myself. I spend the majority of my working life with the less fortunate and consider myself to be a charitable person. My time on the boat is precious for relaxation and an opportunity for time away from the rat race of the real world, to slow down and enjoy life at a gentler pace. I can drive a short time in any direction from home for a repeat of my Ashton experience but I do not wish to do so, neither do I wish for a repeat performance on Cookley and it is for that reason I would not return there. The greatest gift of all you can give to your children is time, and if the parents of those children perhaps devoted a little more time to their off spring then perhaps they may be better equipped to make a useful contribution to this world in the future.

The trollies were thrown in the canal around the new Asda store. Stones were thrown around The Strawberry ?? Pub and directly aimed at the boat. I am not convinced a camera and mobile phone are any deterrant to these low life, they have no respect for anybody or anything. One young fisherman around the age of twelve asked me if it was my boat, to which I replied "Yes" he retorted well it's sh** anyway. What could one say to that? The language from from the girls was even more choice. We did not report any of this to BW. I fully appreciate if they don't know then there's not a lot they can do but my main concern was getting the boat and crew to safety which we did under cover of darkness. As I said, Never again!

We just completed The Cheshire Ring last Friday 27th Oct. The Ashton was a nightmare. Kids throwing bricks and super market trolleys. One lad sitting at the lock side hanging his legs inside the chamber as we were coming up - Never again. I am only thankful I never attempted this trip with my family, we had an all male crew including a burly police sargeant who came in most useful. We really enjoyed the rest of the trip but as for the Ashton never again!