Canal Boat Hire Day trip - Hostettler Family

Joy Hostettler's 77th Birthday Party - Day Trip

Each year, around 1 December, the south eastern section of the Hostettler family hold a birthday party for Joy. This year there was a surprise in store. As part of her birthday celebration, she was to have a day out on Stort Daybreak. Joy and her husband, John, are veterans of boat trips having, in recent years, sailed up the Nile and along the Rhine, but had never set foot on a canal boat in England.

Canal Boat Hire to Hostettler family Kevin, who was to be the 'self steer' skipper for the trip had spent the last few weeks learning how to control the 66ft long boat, having taken advantage of the Canal Boat Projec's familiarisation scheme. Julie and Neal, Caroline and Kate Hostettler-Smith, Joy's daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren were to crew. All perfectly planned by Kathy, Joy's daughter, you may think, except that Neal and Caroline had terrible colds and almost had to cancel and without them the trip wouldn't have been possible.

Joy steering the canal boat The day before the trip saw torrential downpours and high winds, but on the day the sun shone and at 11a.m. the family set off towards Roydon. One hundred yards later, the plan to get to Roydon and back in the four hour hire period was looking challenging when it was realised that no one, except the skipper, had experience of changing manual locks. But with a little help from a passing member of the public, the Hostettler-Smiths were shown the correct way to operate locks and we were soon on our way again.

Neil steering - canal boat short break The Hostettlers may have sailed the inland waterways of Europe and Africa but they had never steered a boat before so it was a surprise that Joy, having had the honour of being the first, did pretty well. With very little river traffic at this time of year, one by one each of the group had a go at steering with no one going into the bank or losing control. In fact everyone did really well, until we got to Hunsdon Mead Lock. John - Canal boat holiday

Kathy and Joy were 'down below' preparing the food for lunch, whilst the rest were completing their 'Richard McCabe' packs, in the well equipped galley when, rounding a corner, we saw a British Waterways barge moored in the space provided to allow crew to operate the lock. Having heard earlier that the lock had been closed for repair our hearts sank as turning was going to be near impossible. Kate and Joy - on christmas canal boat cruise

Thankfully the lock had been opened the day before so we decided to moor up and go through the lock after lunch. Sadly the only other boat we saw in the whole day then also rounded the corner and took advantage of the open lock. But, realising this, he put the lock back in our favour, such is the friendliness of 'river people'. Caroline - christmas canal boat cruise

Turning a few hundred yards up the river we begun our return. With the light against us at this time of year, we put on a little speed with everyone again having a go at steering. Whether it was the extra speed, the over confidence of having 'done it' before or the champagne at lunch time, everyone seemed to steer straight for the bank and the skipper Joy and Julie - Canal Boat Hire was kept busy 'intervening'.

The light suddenly faded and the skipper got soaked in the five minutes it took to moor and tie up with everyone else taking cover inside the boat. Still, the weather had been brilliant, the boat terrific and the day was declared a great success.

What they said afterwards

WHAT A BIRTHDAY TREAT !

December 1st was my 77th birthday and as a surprise the family chartered a canal boat. Three generations of my family met on the towpath, and under expert guidance, we steered, handled lock gates and enjoyed the calm beauty of the River Stort as in a bygone age. Grandchildren and children acted as crew and my daughter provided the birthday spread.

We were surprised and delighted with the facilities, a lift, toilets, tables, chairs, and cooking facilities even central heating and a lit Christmas tree. It was a real birthday spread that included hot soup and birthday cake.

Thank you to my thoughtful family and the Canal Boat Project. It was a birthday I shall never forget. - Joy Hostettler

This was our first trip on a Canal boat and we were delighted with it. We started with a little trepidation but the weather, although cold, was bright and cruising along the canal through the virgin countryside was exhilarating. Moreover, we were most impressed with the facilities of the boat. The lift was invaluable, the tables, chairs, crockery etc. were fine for a very welcome meal and the toilet, washing arrangements and central heating were excellent. Raising and lowering the water levels in the locks was fun and, as it was near Christmas, we were pleased to see the Xmas tree and decorations around the boat. Altogether, we had a very enjoyable family day out and would highly recommend others to do the same. - John Hostettler

My family and I had never been on a canal boat before and we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The boat was very well equipped and each time we came to a lock we rose up from below on the moving platform and jumped off to open the gate - which the girls thought was great fun! It was lovely to see the countryside from the view point of the river and to have a feel for how these waterways were used in the past. - Julie Hostettler-Smith

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