点评:It's a long time since I've been on a canal boat and my husband never has, so we decided to book a day boat from Pennine as a summer treat and invite a couple of friends. The price was really reasonable between 4 of us. The online booking wouldn't work unless I put details of all the passengers in, and since we planned to book then invite friends for a surprise, I couldn't do this! So I booked by phone with a very helpful lady in the office.
We turned up at 9am as requested to be given little "Jim", a small boat for maximum 4 people, and Paul was very helpful with getting our bags on and giving an arm to our friends who both have mobility issues. He gave me and my husband a clear and helpful tutorial, and was happy to answer questions. I raked up my experience of driving a boat from 40 years ago, and we were off to Gargrave. We preferred countryside so went that way: if you wanted canalside pubs and a bit more action, the other direction would have been better.
We had a lovely day. My husband managed the bridges with our friends assisting with the ropes, alternating with the boat in front as instructed in canal etiquette by Paul, I did most of the driving and our friends did the brews, bacon butties and buffet lunch! We saw a deer, a heron and the cutest little gosling and ducklings. The boat was really clean and well equipped, there was even hot water in the taps! There was ample seating inside, and enough outside for us all to sit around the table. It was so relaxing to go at the slower pace of life for a day, taking our time and being surrounded by nature. Even the very heavy and long shower didn't dampen our enthusiasm!
Pete was so kind and helpful when we got back, directing me how and where to moor up. Both he and Paul, and also Bev in the office, were fantastic, knowledgeable and friendly. We really enjoyed the experience and will definitely return.
翻译:我很久没坐过运河船了,我丈夫也从来没坐过。所以我们决定预订一艘从奔宁山脉出发的一日游船,作为夏日的犒劳,邀请几个朋友一起。我们四个人的价格真的很合理。网上预订需要填写所有乘客的信息才能进行,而且我们计划先预订,然后邀请朋友们来个惊喜,所以没办法预订!于是我打电话跟办公室一位非常热心的女士预订了船。
我们按照要求在早上9点到达,拿到了一艘最多可坐4人的小船“吉姆”。保罗非常乐于助人,帮我们把行李搬上船,还搀扶着我们行动不便的朋友。他给我和我丈夫上了清晰实用的驾驶教程,并且很乐意解答我的疑问。我重温了40年前的驾船经验,然后我们出发去了加格雷夫。我们更喜欢乡村风光,所以选择了加格雷夫:如果你想在运河边的酒吧里享受更多乐趣,另一个方向会更好。
我们度过了美好的一天。我丈夫负责过桥,朋友们帮忙拉绳索,我们按照保罗讲解的运河礼仪,船在前面轮流行驶。我主要负责驾驶,朋友们负责酿酒、培根三明治和自助午餐!我们看到了一只鹿、一只苍鹭,还有可爱的小鹅和鸭子。船真的很干净,设施齐全,水龙头里甚至还有热水!船内有充足的座位,船外也有足够的空间供我们围坐在桌旁。以慢节奏的生活方式度过一天,悠闲地享受时光,置身于大自然之中,真是太放松了。即使是阵雨很大、时间很长,也丝毫没有浇灭我们的热情!
我们回来时,皮特非常友善,乐于助人,指导我如何以及在哪里停泊。他和保罗,还有办公室里的贝夫,都非常棒,知识渊博,态度友好。我们非常享受这次体验,一定会再来的。