BEST OF BOATING BUDDIES
Alison Wilkerson meets a couple of boating buddies – at a safe distance of course.
WHILE walking on a very dull day on a very wet, muddy and noticeably deserted towpath one Sunday morning, we (my husband and I) went past a lovely, shiny and relatively newly opened marina.
Not a soul was about; no walkers, boaters, not even the usual fishermen who sit under large umbrellas in the rain, which we put down to either people self-isolating – which is something we boaters have been doing for years – due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) or the weather.
One sparkling and gleaming widebeam did show signs of life, in the form of two dogs, who love to say hello by barking at passers-by.
These two lovelies were Max, a handsome 10-year-old labradoodle and Shilo, a pretty five-year-old cockerpoo. They are owned by Helen and Dave, who live with them on their 2018 widebeam, which they had built by Aqualine Marine Ltd. The boat was actually built in Poland and delivered to Braunston Marina.
Prior to purchasing and living aboard, they lived on land and had a cruiser for four years, having day trips and breaks away, etc., on it, but decided to leave the rat race following Dave’s retirement and take a somewhat slower pace by continuously cruising during the summer months, then taking a winter mooring which seems to be the in thing nowadays.
They were preparing to head south the following weekend on the Grand Union, making their way to the River Thames. Helen might even get a boat trader’s licence – she has been contemplating becoming a floating hairdresser as she’s currently a mobile hairdresser.
They did their homework and research before making their purchase and looked at lots of boats before making their decision and advised that looking at quality, specification – for example, bath and or/shower, pump out and/ or cassette, washing machine, washer dryer or tumble dryer and dishwasher etc., whether to have a stern door or not and if it should open inwards or outwards – are important decisions to make. It appears that having a want and need list is essential before taking the plunge – a big decision to make but well worth it in every way.
Both Max, who is the boss and pack leader, and Shilo were exceedingly well behaved and very friendly indeed, took to living on their lovely new floating home like ducks to water and experienced no problems, issues or dramas to speak of, apart from Max slipping off the pontoon they were currently moored by in the marina. Unfortunately he did end up in the muddy water but was okay.
Food-wise, they love one particular brand (Lily’s Kitchen, but other brands are available) of natural dog food as well as the odd bone. They also love balls and playing off-lead and both are great with other dogs but do like to greet with a bark or two to say hello.
Max is not keen on cats though, so be aware, feline friends!