Vegetation makes mooring impossible

I have just read David's (Into the Jungle) piece and I can only agree, writes Jenny MacGillivray.

We are currently at Godalming, as far south as you can go, having made our slow way down via a variety of canals and rivers and the Macc isn't unique.

Mooring is impossible

We are supposed to be able to moor on the towing path side for 14 days, but increasingly mooring on the towing path is impossible. The majority of boaters are getting older and making that leap of fate into the overgrown vegetation is beyond most of us, especially as the lack of dredging makes it harder to get into the side.

We are increasingly being herded into designated mooring sites, which puts extra pressure on these and leads to problems with overstayers.

Have to call it a day

If you need to re-stock at the supermarket , visit the laundrette, and perhaps have a meal out, 48hrs are soon gone and the next boater is impatient for your spot.

We are living our dream, spending six months of the year extended cruising, and can proudly claim to have cruised the length and breath of the system, north, south, east and west, on the whole the system is better than when we first came on but worse than it has been more recently, if it continues to deteriorate we shall sadly have to call it a day.

Jenny MacGillivray Nb Deryn Du