Attitude

[Supermalc]

I did get shot at in Nottingham (I think). Passed under a bridge and heard a ping, but never found anything. However despite being 'different' I usually get on with people......even groups in the end.

 

So when I approached Stamp End last year, to see a group of drunk young teens, I blagged a beer, they helped push the gates, and I took a couple for a trip for a couple of miles.

 

Few weeks later, a similar group were stoning a boat, with the usual shouts of verbal abuse between them.

 

Year before another group of even younger kids were hanging around the lock when I got back from a trip downstream. Again they helped. Later they were trashing a boat, left abandoned on the bank. I told them it belonged to someone and they left.....not returned.

 

Doesn't always work, but usually does.

[gaggle]

coming along the bridgewater last week in the dark as i came out from a bridge a gang of about 30 teens were leaning over the edge and gave me a good load of greeting,s,abuse ,foul mouth tirade or whatever you like to think it as ,but really they were just having a buzz off me because they were all with their girlie,s.

i took no offence and doubled up with laughter when they had run out of things to say and one shouted out

"yeh an your a fu****g c**t as well".

it was to me just a light hearted bit of abuse with no real malice attached.

Edited January 23, 2006 by gaggle

[Pirate]

coming along the bridgewater last week in the dark as i came out from a bridge a gang of about 30 teens were leaning over the edge and gave me a good load of greeting,s,abuse ,foul mouth tirade or whatever you like to think it as ,but really they were just having a buzz off me because they were all with their girlie,s.

i took no offence and doubled up with laughter when they had run out of things to say and one shouted out

"yeh an your a fu****g c**t as well".

it was to me just a light hearted bit of abuse with no real malice attached.

 

 

Awww they sound like a great crowd to meet

[fender.]

Awww they sound like a great crowd to meet

 

shame their language wasnt a little more colurful! cum and get a bucketful!

Edited January 23, 2006 by fender.

[anhar]

...i took no offence and doubled up with laughter when they had run out of things to say and one shouted out

"yeh an your a fu****g c**t as well".

it was to me just a light hearted bit of abuse with no real malice attached.

Hello gaggle

 

I frequently agree with your comments but why is the above funny enough to make you laugh so much? Where's the wit in it? In fact it is a very common way to mouth off as you know. I understand what you are saying that it was meant as light hearted but I can't see why it is such a hilarious statement.

 

regards

Steve

[John Orentas]

i took no offence and doubled up with laughter when they had run out of things to say and one shouted out

"yeh an your a fu****g c**t as well".

it was to me just a light hearted bit of abuse with no real malice attached.

And the boys can be even worse.

Edited January 24, 2006 by John Orentas

[gaggle]

Awww they sound like a great crowd to meet

well really they were,boisterious show off know it all teenagers,they had a bit of fun nobody got hurt,they made me smile anyway.

 

now there are some no doubt that would have turned this little episode into "a very distressing experience at the hands of hoodie bandits"followed by dour warnings to stay clear of the bridgewater canal.

 

demands on police time that would have gone unanswered would then have followed by complaints against the police for the lack of response "we could have been murdered in our boats" the police were told at the time we felt they were about to start spitting at us but still they failed to rush to our aid,one crew member was forced to smile and ackowledge the offenders presence.

we should be allowed to cruise the waterways in the safe knowledge that no one else has the right to be alive as we smugly sail along commented onother crew member as he drank his wine and called the dog back on board after it had finished fouling the towpath.

 

what a life,roll on the summer,i cant wait to get out on these distant waters and see it all warts an all.

 

bit carried away there

[Stephen Fulcher]

In this sort of situation it is probably far better to just laugh at them than get abusive back, which is probably what they want people to do.

 

Their behaviour is a disgrace, there is no doubt about that, but equally undoubtable is that the Police would not do anything if they were informed, and would probably not even leave the comfort of their station to attend the site anyway, and British Waterways would probably show an equal disinterest.

 

It should be perfectly possible to cruise all day without these idiots being around to cause trouble, but in some urban areas they have nothing better to do, so their presence annoying people is a fact of life, and will not simply go away.

[nigel carton]

but equally undoubtable is that the Police would not do anything if they were informed, and would probably not even leave the comfort of their station to attend the site anyway, and British Waterways would probably show an equal disinterest.

 

Hmm, bet they would if you got off your boat and kicked arse

[Samantha]

Perhaps I've totally missed the point of this thread, but why shouldn't I expect to be able to sail the waterways without fear of abuse or missiles, why shouldn't I expect to be able to walk my dog along the towpaths without worrying about broken glass or discarded needles?

 

I am more than happy to talk to other river users, be they boaters, cyclists, walkers or lookers-on. We frequently get help at locks and suchlike, where we stand around having decent conversations with like-minded people, but I would like to think that I can take my children for a trip without worrying about them hearing foul language and being assaulted from bridges.

 

I wouldn't call the police unless some injury or damage occurred - neither would I dignify such behaviour with a response, however expecting a little respect from others is not too much to ask.

 

Perhaps I'm living in cloud cuckoo land. That's very sad.

[Guest]

Perhaps I've totally missed the point of this thread, but why shouldn't I expect to be able to sail the waterways without fear of abuse or missiles, why shouldn't I expect to be able to walk my dog along the towpaths without worrying about broken glass or discarded needles?

 

I am more than happy to talk to other river users, be they boaters, cyclists, walkers or lookers-on. We frequently get help at locks and suchlike, where we stand around having decent conversations with like-minded people, but I would like to think that I can take my children for a trip without worrying about them hearing foul language and being assaulted from bridges.

 

I wouldn't call the police unless some injury or damage occurred - neither would I dignify such behaviour with a response, however expecting a little respect from others is not too much to ask.

 

Perhaps I'm living in cloud cuckoo land. That's very sad.

It's all about social decline I'm afraid. Ask anyone who works in a secondary school. That said most people are still decent; it is a sad fact that we only tend to notice the morons because they succeed in getting our attention (that is what they are seeking).

Edited January 24, 2006 by Guest

[Bones]

I see the point about gangs of 'youfs' and how some are ok. Indeed, I have often found myself that they are ok - but I am far more confident when I have crew - I think I am mainly worried they will think it fin to jump on board and while I am at the healm I can't do alot about it. However, I also understand that alot of 'youfs' are completely bored and sometimes their way of interacting - even asking a simple question about boating can be taken in two ways - threatening/nice and its personal choice as to which side you fall on.

 

I wish I could provide more for the lost youth of our nation. The quietness of the waterways, and the wildlife is inspiration for a tired and weary mind. Water, for many people, is a way of relaxing - but its not until they are on it do they reap the benefits of the calmness. It would be really lovely if there was a system on the waterways where we could rock up and show kids around the boats and teach them life-safety, hazards of canals and things, but at the same time hear their stories and hear their concerns. I have heard of this, but only in passing.

 

However, I suspect I, like many others, simply don't have the time or desire to invest so much of my energy and resource into any such project - and I imagine my attitude contributes to the anger of the lost generation who just want to interact, and want to have guidlines and perhaps just simply want to communicate but don't know how.

 

If I was to encounter rough youths I wouldn't be happy. I certainly don't like the idea of being moored along a lonely towpath on my own - but thats coz of stray adults too. I notice the 'youf' and yobs, but I also notice the doiley generation who mutter under their breath about their fellow boaters, or who are just plain ignorant - I am scared (I use the term loosely) of the former and completely infuriated by the narrowmindedness of the latter.

 

Ooh - My top is going to burst... where's pirate, I need a pint!

[Sam]

We had a bit of trouble recently..

one was when at the bottom of the farmers bridge lock flight after being moored in the Lasels last october when there were two murders on that night.. we were shot at with a powerful BB gun.. I believe that they were aiming for our eyes from a window

 

Also when coming back into Brum from Cadbury World direction I was steering at the back with my parents inside.. just as my dad came up with a cuppa some 9/11 year olds who obviously where wanabe gangsters chucked some eggs at me.. one hit my jacket so I got a bit annnoyed and as they just stood there laughing I had an idea.. i went alongside just after them and told my dad to look after the boat.. then legged it after them for a little way with my digital camera.. i think they got a bit scared and hopefully will not be doing that again.

 

Most people (youths included) around Brum are really friendly.. maybe a bit wary of me .. but with my parents they are even more friendly and ask questions and seem interested.

 

Most of the gangs of youths are cool around Brum.. some like the ones carrying a baseball bat you stay away from lol but I tend to find that with or without my dog (who thinks she owns the whole canal system) people cross to the other side of the towpath etc. because i look dodgy.. of course i wouldn't dream of doing anything but it is probably the clothes I wear.. jeans, dirty oily jumper or whatever and they just put me in the dodgy braket..... especially if Im walking around in the evening when its getting dark.

 

The only time I have felt a bit unsafe though in somewhere like Brum was when I was walking along the towpath up onto broad street to walk the short distance to my brothers penthouse with a expensive laptop in a bag on my shoulder by myself.

 

Sam

Edited January 24, 2006 by Sam

[Pirate]

Perhaps I've totally missed the point of this thread, but why shouldn't I expect to be able to sail the waterways without fear of abuse or missiles, why shouldn't I expect to be able to walk my dog along the towpaths without worrying about broken glass or discarded needles?

 

I am more than happy to talk to other river users, be they boaters, cyclists, walkers or lookers-on. We frequently get help at locks and suchlike, where we stand around having decent conversations with like-minded people, but I would like to think that I can take my children for a trip without worrying about them hearing foul language and being assaulted from bridges.

 

I wouldn't call the police unless some injury or damage occurred - neither would I dignify such behaviour with a response, however expecting a little respect from others is not too much to ask.

 

Perhaps I'm living in cloud cuckoo land. That's very sad.

 

Dont be sad Samantha, it`s not so bad here

 

Re`Bones, Ooh - My top is going to burst... where's pirate, I need a pint!

 

Awww, Bones my dear, I`m here, you know I`m never far away from you, Forget the pint have a large Scotch

Edited January 24, 2006 by Pirate

[Liam]

I've been spat at, had stones/rocks/bricks thrown at me.. you always get that. Although my parents have had a boat since I was 14 and I've had my own since I was 18, I've had about 5 incidents which I can remember. Not even one per year!

 

One time was pretty bad, after a load of little chavs were swimming in the water at the boat and trying to grab hold/get on or whatever I slowed down so as not to dice anyone with the prop. Eventually they got out after I screamed at them.. the last thing I would like to do is pull one off the prop through the weedhatch. We were then spit on and had stones thrown at the boat. My Dad got off at the bridge hoping they'd run off but nope, they ran up to confront him. I let him deal with it as I sat waiting close to the boat with the tiller bar in hand . All was sorted soon enough as we were out with a few other boats for the weekend and once they realised they were outnumbered.. ran off.

 

On a more serious note, some friends moored up for the night in Castlefields, Manchester.. they usually stop there over night quite alot. They were broken into in the middle of the night. They forced the doors to gain entry into the boat. Luckily they didn't wake up and the theif/theives got a way with nothing.

 

I say they were luckily that they didn't wake up as, when they finally woke up in the morning the back doors were open and the lump hammer was on the stern deck. They'd obviously grabbed something as a weapon incase they woke up. I'd hate to think what would of happed if they HAD of woke up and investigated. Apart from a bust door, it was easily solved. It hasn't put them off going, as, even though you hear all these stories that's the first spot of trouble they've had and they've been visiting quite a lot of times over a number of years.

[John Orentas]

Are we in danger of giving the wrong messages here, I have been boating for 25 years and in that time I haven't have a single incident of attempted assault of any kind, my boat has never been damaged or broken in to, not even an attempt.

 

I am sure I am not the exception, whenever you get a group of twenty or so boaters in a room three of them will freely impart tales of incidents from years gone by, seventeen will stand and listen. Quite honestly I have had more trouble with fellow inconsiderate and aggressive boaters than anything else.

 

Groups of youngsters, some very young can be quite intimidating but threats are nearly always perceived rather than real, treat them like fellow human beings and things will look very different. Bad language is a sign of the times we seem to suffer from that in every environment now and in every age range, it is sad but we just have to get used to it.

Edited January 24, 2006 by John Orentas

[Bill Kennedy]

We have had a few encounters with what appeared to be shady characters but none that developed into anything serious. One of the funniest, at the time or perhaps you had to be there, happened shortly after we entered Regent's Canal after coming down the Thames in 2004. Nearing a lock 3 or 4 youths stood watching as we approached. I was driving and my wife, having walked from the previous lock, appeared a little nervous. Not to be daunted she asked the lads if they would like to help work the lock. After a bit of stunned silence they replied "yeah, orright". I chatted to one as the lock filled and he was fascinated by the locking system. He said he had watched a few boats going through but had never before been asked to help. He even offered me a "smoke" which I politely declined.

 

We have found that if you engage people in conversation it seems to put any misdeeds they may have been contemplating out of their mind.

 

Cheers

 

Bill

[Supermalc]

We have found that if you engage people in conversation it seems to put any misdeeds they may have been contemplating out of their mind.

 

Cheers

 

Bill

 

Exactly my point.

[Sam]

Exactly my point.

 

 

Yeah John is right.. really there isn't a problem.. on the beach where i lifeguard / firstaid there is a sign up in the first aid hut... 'no one remembers when i'm right.. but everyone remembers when i'm wrong.." sort ofm applies here.. everyone only brings up there bad stories.

 

I always try and 'engage' with people who are near the canals.. be it kids, youths (as they are my own age so i find it easier talking to them), or older people - like there was a man sitting drinking a beer on a lock gate i had to use.. instead of offending him i asked him if he could give me a hand.. after that he helped with the flight which was helpful as there was only the two of us on board and i for once had the job of locking he was really interested in how it all worked etc.

 

Sam

[DHutch]

Are we in danger of giving the wrong messages here, I have been boating for 25 years and in that time I haven't have a single incident of attempted assault of any kind, my boat has never been damaged or broken in to, not even an attempt.

Yeah, I might have been lucky, and for lack of wood, im touching my wood-efect desk.

- But in all the years (15) ive been chuging round the system on emilyanne ive really never had any problem. And never heard my grandad talk of anything eather. (and he's done the odd mile!!)

 

Ive been spat on once, by a girl, which was a little uncalled for. And i have had horse chestnuts thrown at me once as well. - And my grandad said he was once set adrift.

- But in 15 years, thats no big deal!!

 

We've never been broken into, never had any damage done to the boat, and certainly never been shot. Yet?

 

 

Daniel

 

 

 

We have found that if you engage people in conversation it seems to put any misdeeds they may have been contemplating out of their mind.

Exactly.

 

Ive said this countless times on here. But i beleave it is the only way.

- Rather than telling them to "get the f*** out of my lock" ask them if they'd like to help.

- In my experence there often more than happy to, and the number of times ive had people helping me.

[Sam]

Another thing i just remembered..

 

A few years ago we were stoned.. stupidly big stones / rocks where thrown at the boat doing a bit of damage.

 

Sam

[NB Esk]

Group of chives round the lock? No worries...

 

Moor up 100yds back, out of stones reach (only seaside landladies are known to be able to chuck a stone above 100yds)

 

Get the frying pan on, a few rashers of bacon... said chives will soon be off home, where mum will no doubt have freshly prepared bag of crisps and can of pop...

[Keeping Up]

We always make a positive effort to get talking to any groups we find, and most of the time it works well but not always. I reckon we average 4 or 5 failures a year - usually from people we can't see. Generally just small things but not always.

 

My best success was seeing a group of a dozen schoolchildren standing by a bridge, all clutching rocks or, bricks ready to throw, so I pointed the camera and called out 'OK everyone it's time for a group photo, could you all stand in line and smile please' so they all put down their missiles and stood in a nice line in front of the bridge as we approached. I said 'If any of you would like to give me your address I'll send you a copy of the photo' but none of them did. Good thing too, because the camera was an old broken one and didn't even have a film in it.

 

Last year was fairly typical:

 

- One evening moored outside the China Gardern at Stoke on Trent, about midnight there was a hail of beer-bottles and glasses. One bottle chipped the glass of the kitchen window (lucky the window was toughened), and we lost a load of paint at a dozen places along one side which was frustrating as it was our first trip after a £4000 repaint. They'd all gone by the time I got outside, and I spent an hour clearing up the broken glass before a person/dog/duck/etc stepped on it and cut their foot. The pub management, of course, hadn't heard a thing.

 

- Passing through Banbury on a hot Sunday afternoon, very busy with people everywhere all talking and waving back to us, and I got hit in the face by one of a load of bits of soggy chewing gum thrown by kids at one of the tables outside the cafe there (nobody at the adjacent tables cared, they just looked the other way). But there was no harm done.

 

- Near Stourbridge one aftenoon we saw about a dozen teenagers watching us from a playground 50 yards from the canal. We waved and called 'hello', most waved back but two of their number ran off and then ambushed us with a hail of small pebbles at the next bend. No damage was done but the dog was a bit upset.

 

- Moored overnight at Atherstone we were woken up about 1am by the sound of somebody on the back deck trying to force the doors open. The dogs barked at them and they ran away.

 

A fairly typical year. Several dozen 'encounters' and just 4 failures, mainly from youngsters that we hadn't established communication with (counting shouts of 'w**kers' as a successful encounter because it went no further, it's a sort of communication I suppose)

 

But a few years ago we had a BIG problem near Oldbury (BCN Old Main Line) when a couple of kids knocked over a lump of the bridge parapet (about 4 bricks with mortar, must have weighed 10kg) on to the foredeck where my wife was sitting. I never saw them as I was on the back of the boat and not yet through the bridge, didn't even know anything had happened. Luckily it hit the front of roof before bouncing on to Debbie, so it only split her head open knocked her out and gave her concussion instead of killing her. The people at the boatyard there saw it and flagged me down, took her to hospital for stitches plus X-ray and an overnight stay. She won't let me take the boat along that bit of Old Main Line again.

 

The police didn't want to know despite the boatyard owners giving them a description (saying 'well they've run off now so there's nothing we could do') but a week later 200 yards away two similar-looking kids did the same thing on the M5 Motorway bridge (can't say it WAS the same kids without evidence of course). The police took plenty of notice then, but maybe if they'd come when we called them that lorry driver wouldn't have been hit in the face at 60mph by a piece of canal bridge parapet through his windscreen!

 

Allan

[Liam]

Going off those few short stories.. I'd rather NOT! keep up with the Jones family!

 

I also try to strike up a convo as and where possible as most of the time you get a startled face staring back before they say "Er... hi"

 

When you're vunerable, like under a bridge and the next minute someone spits, throws stones or in a friends case, p*sses on you then you've got no chance.

 

A rather funny story..

 

A friend was cruising along and then got bombarded with stones, luckily nothing was damaged and no one was hurt but he did manage to catch some of the stones and throw them back. The yobs on the bank ran for cover calling him all the names under the sun and threatening to report him for assault - they ran off with their hands over their heads

[Allie]

After hearing all the stories about stones being thrown, I think I'll bring my motorcycle helmet to wear on deck!

 

Allie