NIMBYs
Seemingly, boaters not only have to contend with CaRT's current trend toward restricting any stretch of bank with access to a road to 48 hours, they now have to deal with land/house owners who do not want boats mooring opposite their property!
For those who cannot read this sign, it states: 'Children Playing—Please respect their privacy by not mooring opposite our garden. Thank You'. There are many interesting things to say about this:
Nothing of the sort
Firstly, the area that is being called a 'garden' is nothing of the sort. It is actually a strip of waste land that sits between the canal and a rather long driveway to a rather grand village abode.
Secondly, the driveway to said splendid abode is actually also a public right-of-way and attracts many walkers and dog owners. One would assume that they are not asked to desist from walking along the path for fear of them looking at the non-existent children playing.
No right to restrict mooring
Thirdly, the land owner has absolutely no right to restrict mooring opposite the driveway. Of course, they can prevent mooring on the offside as this constitutes their property, but the towpath is public land and has no restrictions for boaters.
Fourthly, why would someone buy a property by the canal and then seek to prevent boats from mooring opposite. This would be akin to buying a house by a busy road and then trying to stop cars from using it!
Disrespectful to children?
Fifthly, why is it disrespectful to their children (sight of whom I have not seen, playing or otherwise) for people to moor opposite? Is it therefore disrespectful for people to watch children playing in the park from their houses? Is it also disrespectful for walkers on the towpath opposite to look across the canal? Perhaps they should avert their eyes and keep them fixed firmly ahead when walking. Is it also disrespectful for people walking down the towpath to watch my children playing outside my boat?! One would think not.
What I am witnessing here is plain old fashioned snobbishness and NIMBY-ism of the highest order. I've seen this in other, well to do, village locations on my travels around the system too. If it weren't so absurd and laughable, one may find it slightly insulting!