Canal Boat Timeshare
On Sunday morning, October 8th, 2000 Marlene and I caught a train going north of London to the town of Milton Keynes. Marlene had reserved a timeshare boat for a week, thinking we would stay on the boat and take day trips and return for the night. When we met the young lady who was in charge, she was hostile, because we had arrived late. We also found, that we could not stay on the boat in the marina, it had to be taken out into the canal and run so it would keep the batteries charged. So here we were, out of English pounds, no food or water, we hadn't eaten since breakfast. So the young lady takes us out on the canal, and after 30 minutes of instruction, pulls over to the bank and jumps off!! We were left with a cell phone for emergency, and if we called anyone other than the man to bring the boat back into the marina, it would be a $50.00 charge to our credit card! The photo above was from a timeshare magazine to show a more definitive view!!
There were several of these bridges to go under. The trick was, that only one boat at a time could get through. The 1st one there had the right of way. Well you guessed it, we had not gone far till I had to stop for another boat to come through!! Guess what, boats don't have brakes? I had to learn how to put it in reverse REAL QUICK!!
My view from the back!!
Capt. Ron reporting for duty!! This boat is 45 ft long and about 7ft wide. It steers with a tiller from the back and outside in the open air.
We went up the canal looking for a place to buy something to eat etc. We saw a man walking along side the bank with a bag of groceries. We tied up and went looking, we found a store for groceries and a pub for lunch that took plastic money! When we got back to the boat it had started to rain. So we decided to spend the night there!
My help mate Marlene, telling me we are lost!!
The next morning it was bright, sunny and cold. We were greeted by the beautiful swans shown here!! However there was a storm approaching and we knew we had to find a turn around place and get back! We made it just in time, it rained 4 inches and the wind was blowing 40 miles and hr. The humidity in the boat melted some cough drops I had set out!! So it was time to give up and pay $200.00 and go home early!!
This is another photo from the magazine showing a picturesque bridge!!
Click on Pictures for Enlargement or Click on the Flag for Home!!