Whilst fully appreciating and sympathising with the plight of owners/boaters, spare a thought for the hire companies, writes Bill Ridgeway.
I know they're in it to make a profit but their living/livelihood is at stake. Surely the uncertainty of cruising must affect decisions of hirers on whether or not to take a canal holiday and getting the boat back to the yard (and on time) must play on the mind of hire companies.
Remember the days
We can all remember the days when you could plan a cruise, select a hire company and there was a very good chance of getting the boat back to the yard on time. Is it so bad now as we are led to believe?