inter tidal zone

inter tidal zone

Welcome everyone, and to get us off on the right foot, I'm not a professional writer, although I have been 'published' before and have had my photo's published on the BBC (weather) 😉 I'm just a Lancashire lad, more having a fireside chat than writing a column or knowing it all!

Getting down to it, did you know that some marinas based on the waterways network have actual camping and caravan sites? Like Bridge House Marina in Nateby Nr Garstang on the Lancaster Canal. They also have a licensed cafe as well as a Chandlery, but I digress. My point is that suddenly or silently we are all starting to 'interface' with other users and share potential needs and benefits. Me being a paddler as against a boater, this makes for an ideal mix of having somewhere to stay and somewhere to 'put-in' or ingress if you like the proper terms. Paddlers, I have to say, are not always welcomed by everyone on the waterways, but they mostly are, thank goodness. I think of it as some people are not welcome, as are some motorists or some kids!

But generally, we all get on fine, enjoying our time on or around the water.

Perception Kiwi 3 HDPE touring kayak (Bob Sanders)

Photo shows my Perception Kiwi 3 HDPE touring kayak near to the slipway at Bridge House Marina. 

Another marina I have used with the same facilities (no cafe) is Whitchurch Marina on the Shropshire Union, Llangollen Branch.

Strange eh, me staying in my Bongo camper-van and paddling your canals and dare I say helping to sustain the whole intertidal landscape of the waterways and you folks doing the same for me, magic! Plus, worth knowing if ever you want to meet up with non-water-borne friends and relatives for a few nights when you may not have room on-board or just want to have a brew or day visit. For technology savvy folks on or around the water, there are groups for boaters as you may well know, but did you know that you can pick up help and info from other groups based around camping and caravanning.

Mazda Bongo - camper van owned by Bob SandersPhoto of my Mazda Bongo

Plus, there is another bonus for us all with this interrelationship that you may not have considered when looking for help and advice – FaceBook and their groups. For the technology savvy folks on or around the water, there are groups for boaters as you may well know, but did you know that you can pick up help and info from other groups based around camping and caravanning.

May sound strange, but big topics are Solar Panels, Electric Hook-ups, Boosting TV signals, Leisure Batteries, Mobile Internet and of course security! So if you do get stuck and can't find it in your normal groups, try crossing over to the other 'off grid' folks and their groups.

I look forward to seeing you all in 2019 on the water or on the towpath. Next time, I'll share some useful tips around Google that will help us all.

Useful on-line links...

Bridge House Marina
Whitchurch Marina
CanalsOnline Magazine 
Mazda Bongo Owners 

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About Bob Sanders

Bob Sanders retired IT Consultant uses Canals, Rivers, Lakes and Sea to relax, exercise and reconnect with nature. Bob is a 'paddler' not a 'boater', licensed and inured through Canoe England who follow best practice for all users of the waterways.