Pets on the Cut
Alison Wilkerson meets Bailey, who prefers to stay below when the boat is under way.
ONE of the best things about our inland waterways is that they are here for all to use and enjoy.
No matter how young or old you are, age is of no consequence and there is no age discrimination. Unlike driving a motorised vehicle on a public road, on the cut you don’t need a driving licence nor need to take a driving test to skipper a boat.
Boat handling courses are available and hire boat companies should show you the ‘ropes’, (some travel with you a few miles) but suggest/ encourage supervision of younger, inexperienced or nervous cruisers.
One of the more mature boat owners is Brian who, in his late seventies, purchased his 35ft 1978 traditional/semi-traditional canoe front narrowboat which is powered by a Vetus Diesel M3.10 engine. It has a wood-burning stove, electric shower and portable toilet but no TV, only a radio which is all Brian needs.
Following purchase (a private sale) he renamed her in memory of his late wife and has had no major issues to speak of, apart from replacing two domestic batteries and the starter motor. One of Brian’s sons has made a few internal alternations and also takes the boat out.
The boat is actually his fourth, having previously owned two sailing boats including a 29ft Jeanneau and a traditional Cornish crabber, as well as a speedboat while living (for 19 years) in Ibiza.
Now 83, Brian spends his time up and down the Grand Union, albeit at a slower speed than he previously used to, with his lovely little six-yearold Yorkshire terrier x poodle called Bailey, who has his own dog passport. Bailey, who has lived with Brian for three years, had not been on a boat before and sulks down inside the cabin, usually sleeping on the bed when cruising. This is possibly due to the vibration and noise so the stern door is kept closed and he is much happier when the boat is safely moored. He loves to walk on the towpath, preferring to be off lead but always sticks close to Brian.
Bailey gets on with most dogs, except black Labradors for some reason, and gets worried about puppies. Cat-wise, he will ignore them or chase them (and squirrels), depending on how he feels.
He has two long walks each day but does not like walking in the rain or at night, so is described as a daylight fair-weather walker. He has a wet food pouch, once a day as well as the odd treat and tripe sticks and is very polite around food and has never pined nor scrounged.
Like many dogs (and cats) he hates fireworks as well as any loud noises including crop bird scarers and will snarl and bark at them but knows Brian will make sure he is safe, so curls up and settles down when he feel safe to do so.
This year Brian intends to travel more on the cut with his faithful Bailey by his side, apart from when actually cruising, of course!