h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Winter Cruising in the UK - A12118169
Author: Skankyrich - U931109

This is Terri's first entry, to which I have added the GuideML and links. I will ask for my name to be removed when/if it goes out the 'other end' of PR.

I was privileged to read this last week and I am still amused at the way Terri has managed to instill humour into the most serious of areas!

Moving lock gates is also trickier in cold wet conditions, especially if icy, and remember that the boat is sitting in the water so the sides will get cold at night. (You'll know about this if you're in a narrow bunk.)

Another danger is outlet pipes such as toilet or shower overflows can freeze up.

I'll agree that some parts of the canal network can be gorgeous in winter, alas these are the parts most likely to be affected by seasonal closures.

I liked it before, and I like it now!

I am utterly confused now, the advice about lock gates & chilly sides is totally right! So do i copy it into the Entry & credit the contributor, or put it into my own words? Or leave it to Skanky to deal with?

Quite correct though, lock gates are risky at the best of times, frosty ones are potentially lethal. Probably the locks are the only actually dangerous parts of the canal for adults, if you fall in otherwise, you are more likely to get an infection from the pollution rather than drown!

Kids, obviously, are a different matter & should wear lifejackets & be watched like hawks, certainly told "IF you fall in, make your way to the front of the boat, NOT the back, we don't need minced child thank you."

zdt

Terri, just put that into your own words and post it on the thread you first told me about this entry on, letting me know exactly where you want it added. Then I'll copy and paste it in

Because I've edited it, you can't actually get on and do anything to it yourself.

Ok.



zdt

Hi Terry,

Lovely, well written piece, well done.

Mrs WA and I are or have been in the past summer softies. We've done quite a few English canals and one trip in France.

Updated

muchly Skanky. I forgot to add the "minced child" bit, which obviously refers to them getting caught up in the propellor; if you think it's relevant, please stick it in after the lock gates bit when you get a moment.

zdt

Hi Terri, interesting entry - will you write one about the canals next ?

Added

Dunno. I am pondering "How to survive in an African game park when your car just died"

zdt

Take the next helicopter ?

That would have been very handy indeed! So would a mobile phone (not in widespread use in 1987) So would something on my feet. So would a bottle of water.

As you can see, we were very well prepared for this little adventure...

zdt

Now that would be a good story for The Post too..

I don't think a mobile phone would have been of any use , can't imagine it would be of use even nowadays, not in the wilderness, far away from a transmitter

Just working on a rough draft of it, reckon it's probably better for 'cos turning it from a first person account to a factual article is extremely difficult & would probably have the poor Sub Ed going

I think i may go & pootle about with it on my sneaky little secret writing space....

zdt

*looks in*

*Waves to Lacey*



zdt