i GOT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT FROM Neil Cardwell
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I have received notification of a very late cancellation regarding two places on the musical boating holiday due to start on the 21st September 2019. The boat we will be using is based at Great Haywood, near Stafford. Full joining instructions will be provided once a booking is made.




We will be travelling up the Trent & Mersey Canal and then along the Caldon Canal to Leek and Froghall (as featured recently in channel 5's 'Celebrity 5 Go Boating'). We will return along the same route but using different venues in the evening on the return journey to those we used on the outward journey. The boat we will be using is a 70' long narrowboat. The boat has five cabins, all capable of accommodating two people in each cabin. However, I do not intend to use the saloon cabin as a sleeping area as this would involve converting the seating\dining area into a bed each evening and then converting it back again each morning.



The cabin that has become available can be configured to contain either a double bed or two single berths. All beds are of the fixed type. I already have a provisional booking from a single gentleman who is prepared to share the cabin. Therefore, I can accept a booking from either two people wanting to share a double bed, two people wanting a cabin with two single beds or a single person prepared to share a cabin with another gentleman. None of the beds are of the bunk variety and none of them have to be assembled in any way, as is the case with some hire boats. All of the cabins are adjacent to, and have direct access to, toilet facilities without the necessity of passing through someone else's cabin. All bed linen and towels are provided. I have limited the crew to eight people who will be comfortably accommodated, as the boat is designed to have a maximum occupancy of ten persons. There is a saloon for dining and socialising and there is space at the bow and at the stern for socialising, practicing and relaxing. The boat has two bathrooms, one including a shower, and limited, but adequate storage space. Our instruments will be stored on our beds during the day and in the saloon area at night.



The boat is fully equipped with regard to safety, and incorporates central heating and a fully operative galley including cooker, refrigerator, microwave, sink, pots, pans, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. The lounge saloon has LCD TV, a CD/DVD/Mp3 player and a Wifi router. However, TV and Wifi receptions are very dependent upon the location of the boat when they are trying to be used. The boat has both 12V and 240V electricity sockets, although electrical equipment is strictly limited to those that consume less than 1Kw. Crewing and skippering the boat is optional and always with guidance and, if necessary, instruction from an experienced skipper with commercial boating experience.



Food for meals, inc full breakfast, lunch and evening meals is provided for. In the daytime food will be prepared on a communal catering basis. Each evening we will be dining at the venues we will be visiting. The cost of the vast majority of these meals will be included in the cost of the holiday. If preferred, as an alternative to eating out, there will be plenty of food available on the boat to make a buffet meal.



Public liability/third party insurance and a damage waiver for the boat is included in the cost of the cruise. Vehicles are parked at the marina in a secure car park free of charge, but with the usual disclaimers regarding liability. Holiday and personal insurance is at your own discretion.



Each evening the boat will moor up close to a welcoming waterside hostelry where the option to enjoy a delightful session of music and song in a relaxed atmosphere will be available. The venues for the sessions will all be arranged prior to our departure. The sessions will have been advertised in advance on social media, and in the local media, to encourage local musicians, singers and listeners to come along and participate in the enjoyment of the evenings.



Total cost of the holiday is £275 per person.



If you want to book place(s) on the trip I need to know which type of cabin your preference is for, by email to this address (cneil727@yahoo.com). I also need the contact details of yourself and any other people who want to book with you. These details should include the name, address (including postcode), contact telephone number (preferably mobile for use when we are on the holiday) and email address for yourself and each person booking with you. I will also need the vehicle registration mark of the vehicle you will be using. A few words about yourself/yourselves would be helpful, particularly with regard to what music, if any, you perform and what, if any, instruments you will be bringing along.



Once you have confirmed that you wish to book I will need payment for the full cost of the holiday. The simplest and easiest way to make payments is by sending an electronic transfer straight to my account, sort code 09-01-28, account number 96551793. Alternatively this can be done using Paypal by sending a transfer to my account (cneil727@yahoo.com). I would have to ask you to cover any charges Paypal levy for this transfer, but these charges can be avoided by marking the payment as a transfer to a friend/family as opposed to payment for 'goods or services'. If you use Paypal and choose any option other than 'Send money to a friend or relative' just send £275 per person as appropriate. I will advise you how much Paypal has deducted from the transfer, and you can pay this difference when we meet on the boat. However, to avoid Paypal charges I would recommend selecting the option that most people choose which is to 'Send money to a friend or relative'.