After many years of living aboard I have persuaded Neil and
Corinne that it’s time a dog’s point of view was heard on the blog. As I’m sure
you are aware the idea of a ship’s cat is very outdated and everyone who’s
anyone on the canals now has a resident dog.
I generally let Neil and Corinne choose our travelling routes
providing that my meals and accommodation remain satisfactory. Every now and
then we stop at a railway station and I allow a small select group of humans to
join me on my next journey. When my guests arrive at the boat they tend to be a
little overwhelmed at how charming my boats are; painted deep red and decorated
with roses.
I make sure Corinne, Neil and the crew give the boats a
jolly good cleaning and tidying whilst the new guests drop their bags in to
their cabins and perhaps explore locally a little. Later we all like to have
afternoon tea, although I myself tend to choose something a little more meaty
from the menu, than just tea and cake. Actually at meal times the humans are
really quite sociable and seem to rather enjoy themselves. My personal chef, Corinne, of course provides
food to a four star standard for everyone on board.
When the guests first arrive I sometimes wonder how we will
all get on, but they do usually tend to be quite lovely people and I can always
disappear to my own cabin if I need a little “me” time. (I have a double cabin
at the back of the motor boat, which I have agreed to share with Neil and
Corinne.)
Both boats are 70 foot long narrowboats. Snipe has a diesel
engine and tows the butty boat Taurus which does not have an engine. Cruising at less than 4mph I love to feel the
wind in my hair. I like to sit in either
of the fore-decks as we travel, but I also do get a marvellous view of the
passing countryside when I sit on the roof. I see plenty of other dogs on the
towpath as I cruise by, and they must regard me with the utmost respect when
they see a dog with his own pair of traditional narrowboats.
When the mood takes me I take a stroll on the towpath and
this helps me to check that the crew are operating the locks correctly. I do
love towpath walks, there are lots of exciting things to see and sniff. I just
have to look out for the occasional bike coming past. We pass quaint villages,
old bridges, sheep and cows. Sometimes we like to visit a cosy pub for a drink
and some food. Now and then the guests get off and go for a look round a local
town or place of interest, and I get to have the boats to myself for a while.
Of course the real benefit for the guests though is getting
to spend some quality time with a canal dog like me; the likes of which they
have probably never met before. One of our recent guests (also called Corinne)
came aboard my boats for her honeymoon.
“Corinne and Neil live on board all year with their lovely
dog Bertie, he really is a lovely dog and such a sweet character. I had plenty
of cuddles with him which helped on days when I missed the boys and Daisy Dog!”
From Corinne’s blog Motherhood Journeys.
If you’d like to join me on one of my canal voyages why not
help yourself to a £50
discount*
Don’t paws for thought –
just do it!
Bertie
xx
This post first appeared on the Canal Voyagers Hotel Boats blog and is re-published here in loving memory of Bertie P D Thomsett who sadly passed away 25/05/16.
*Discount & canal voyages no longer available.
