Lady HB and I got engaged on our first narrowboat holiday in 2000 (or was it 2001-now I’m in trouble). We took one out of a place near Reading and I proposed as I drove/piloted, getting down on one knee too-we crashed into a bush. I had champagne bottle hidden in a welly, I had pre arranged for both sets of family to meet us at our first overnighter for pub meal....rest is history. Anyway I digress... following this mum and dad chartered a 53 footer to be built by Crown Narrowboats in Manchester. V v quiet engine mounted on shocks of rubber or something clever. We each took duty for a week driving it down to its current home in Newbury, where Tim and Pru used to keep theirs apparently (the journey included being shot at in Manchester by yoofs (which we warned about) and still have the dents to prove it-probably only a BB gun but ...).
Not used it much recently but I love it. Comfy, warm, easy to use, forces you to slow down...love it in the rain coz not many others move at that time...love it and highly recommend a go...
HB
