WHO is my Neighbour? On the CUT my neighbour is whoever happens to be on the next boat. Neighbourliness is, among other things, subject to a never-ending carousel of moving at intervals to another location.or in some cases not moving at all.
In fifteen years on the cut I have only met one neighbour I never want to park by again. The good news is that since she stays in a particular stretch near Primrose Hill I probably never will.
A "boater", by my definition, is someone who lives on a floating device which may be permanent, temporary or occasional living accommodation. I have been known to say, venomously, "a 'boater' is someone who'd be a sailor if he knew anything".
I've met a few of those, totally deluded by the idea that they know it all.
And I have met boaters who don't even know they are boaters or who do not necessarily know their abode is a boat.
I link well with boaters and 'sailors' who, like myself, came in from the sea but I certainly do not consider myself superior or inferior to my neighbour whether he be hirer retirer captain or pugwash. We are all in this together and my boat has sported L-plates from the first day I sailed in her which will stay until I leave.
There are "part-time boaters", owners of [canal] boats who do not use them to the optimum as living accommodation. 2017, there was a boat lying near to Dodsworth, purchased a few miles upriver by someone (believed to be from "London"), who having paid for it, and taken it a short few miles. decided he didn't really like boating and just walked away from it.
The word on the water was that he later tried to foist the impulsive purchase BACK on the seller, claiming it was not 'fit for purpose'.
There are hundreds of boats around the system with similar stories to tell. There are 'boaters' who, when the weather gets nippy, take their selves to land and return at 'intervals' to move the boat to another "location" before vanishing again. What each and every one of them share is that some day they will be my neighbour.
There are those who 'winter' their boats at moorings, handing over large wads to the authority or a marina or an enterprising riparian owner for the 'privilege' of not having to move during the cold months.
Even these are subdivided into boaters who live aboard and 'boaters' who don't. I am not disparaging any of my neighbours in any way. I love you all and would not have it any other way.
WIP at Butcher's Bridge 91 Tuesday 15th Oct. 2024 as I await delivery of stove fuel
In fifteen years on the cut I have only met one neighbour I never want to park by again. The good news is that since she stays in a particular stretch near Primrose Hill I probably never will.
A "boater", by my definition, is someone who lives on a floating device which may be permanent, temporary or occasional living accommodation. I have been known to say, venomously, "a 'boater' is someone who'd be a sailor if he knew anything".
I've met a few of those, totally deluded by the idea that they know it all.
And I have met boaters who don't even know they are boaters or who do not necessarily know their abode is a boat.
I link well with boaters and 'sailors' who, like myself, came in from the sea but I certainly do not consider myself superior or inferior to my neighbour whether he be hirer retirer captain or pugwash. We are all in this together and my boat has sported L-plates from the first day I sailed in her which will stay until I leave.
There are "part-time boaters", owners of [canal] boats who do not use them to the optimum as living accommodation. 2017, there was a boat lying near to Dodsworth, purchased a few miles upriver by someone (believed to be from "London"), who having paid for it, and taken it a short few miles. decided he didn't really like boating and just walked away from it.
The word on the water was that he later tried to foist the impulsive purchase BACK on the seller, claiming it was not 'fit for purpose'.
There are hundreds of boats around the system with similar stories to tell. There are 'boaters' who, when the weather gets nippy, take their selves to land and return at 'intervals' to move the boat to another "location" before vanishing again. What each and every one of them share is that some day they will be my neighbour.
There are those who 'winter' their boats at moorings, handing over large wads to the authority or a marina or an enterprising riparian owner for the 'privilege' of not having to move during the cold months.
Even these are subdivided into boaters who live aboard and 'boaters' who don't. I am not disparaging any of my neighbours in any way. I love you all and would not have it any other way.
WIP at Butcher's Bridge 91 Tuesday 15th Oct. 2024 as I await delivery of stove fuel
"The Longest, Friendliest Village In England"
@poguemuhone.bsky.social
Survival At All Costs
PENTARGON60906.CO.UK
And At No Cost At All
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© MMXXiv
@poguemuhone.bsky.social
Survival At All Costs
PENTARGON60906.CO.UK
And At No Cost At All
[email protected]
© MMXXiv
