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All posts tagged: "Canal holiday"

    Five ways a narrow boat holiday is good for your mental well-being

    By CEO / 23rd January, 2022 / Blog / No Comments

    The Health Benefits of Being By Water

    Be it a canal, a lake or an ocean, scientists are quantifying the positive cognitive and physical effects of water and why it induces a meditative state that makes us happier, healthier, calmer, more creative, and more capable of awe.

    Many a scribe, poet, painter, and sailor have attested to the feeling of wellness and joy when they’re in, or near, water. Albert Einstein had his most important realisations while sailing—water taught him physics principles, and though he wasn’t much of a sailor, he spent as much time as possible in a boat.

    In 1908, when Kenneth Graham wrote his classic novel ‘The Wind in the Willows’, he already knew then about the benefits of boating. Ratty informs Mole, “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

    More recent research, coined Blue Mind Science—the study of aquatic environments’ health benefits – has revealed that being around water could offer the natural cure for your stress, anxiety, anger or general mood swings.

    One thing the world can agree on, the pandemic has taken it’s toll on us all; lockdowns, quarantine, isolation and travel restrictions have amplified the importance of looking after our mental well-being and for this, many of us have taken to the therapeutic vistas of the great outdoors.

    In addition to water’s natural therapeutic effect, we thought we’d share the National Health Service’s recommended five steps to mental well-being, and explain just how a Blue Otter narrowboat cruise can help provide you with that all important daily dose of joy.

    5 steps to mental wellbeing

    1. Connect with other people

    When you are on a narrowboat everybody waves from the towpath and don’t be surprised when complete strangers call out with a cheery ‘Hello’. According to the NHS, connecting with other people helps you to improve your well-being by sharing positive experiences.

    A narrowboat holiday presents the perfect opportunity to get away from it all…and meet new people through new experiences. Simply passing the time of day with a pedestrian on the towpath when opening a bridge, chatting with a lock-keeper or spending quality time with people in a more relaxed environment can be just the tonic to give your mental well-being a boost.

    1. Be physically active

    Wayfinder on the Leeds Liverpool Panal in Gargrave, Yorkshire, citing The Pennine Way and Malham Cove.

    A relaxing holiday doesn’t necessarily translate to being lazy. Canal holidays require tiller work, hopping on and off the boat to open swing bridges, working the locks, all while savouring the views and then mooring up wherever the mood takes you.

    Canals also intersect with hiking routes, such as The Pennine Way in Gargrave, Yorkshire, so you can spend a day exploring the Yorkshire Dales or hiking a hill before heading back to your floating home.

     

    1. Learn new skills

    Lock entrance into Stratford-upon-Avon

    With Blue Otter Boats we give all our first-time guests full tuition on boat handling, spending the first few hours literally teaching them the ropes. From how to pilot a boat, navigate bridge openings, traverse the locks and the mechanics of lock paddles, to mooring up for the night.

    We only leave our guests to go it alone when they feel confident with the new skills they’ve acquired. A strong wind can play havoc, especially when you’re trying to navigate a series of bends. But that’s all part of the fun, and you’ll feel at ease when going through a series of locks, opening bridges and emerge out of dark tunnels smiling.

    1. Give to others

    Random acts of kindness offer a sense of reward, purpose and enhance positive feelings. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, small acts of giving will help to improve well-being. Helping out a fellow boater at a lock or offering advice about narrowboat cruising, a tip about a shop or restaurant at the last town you cruised through, all these are hugely appreciated by boaters. Such is the sense of community on the liquid highways, it’s another reason why narrow boat cruising is good for your well-being.

    And if you enjoy your canal holiday so much that you don’t want to stop there, The Canal & River Trust has a wide range of volunteering opportunities that also help you to connect with others, learn more skills, be physically active and give of your time – four ways to improve your well-being!

    1. Be present

    Enjoy some down time on the bow of Blue Otter Skipton

    Paying more attention to the present moment, also known as mindfulness, has been shown to improve mental well-being. Canals are fascinating water highways, forming a network which offers travellers a glimpse into a very different way of life as it weaves it’s way 2000 miles across England’s landscape.

    Long or short, straight or surprisingly bendy at times (our Skipton guests in particular enjoy a ‘Curly Whirly’ stretch of the Leeds to Liverpool canal between Gargrave and East Marton), canals transform your world into one where the top speed is 4 mph, often even slower. Taking the time to soak up your surroundings – the countryside, the wildlife, the old mills and the industrial history of the landscape – within minutes on board, you’ll see things differently.

    It’s little wonder that The Canal & River Trust’s slogan is ‘Life’s better by water‘. The only thing you now need to worry about, is how to pack for your well-being holiday on the canals?

    We’re able to help you with that as well…

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How to turn a canal boat around. How to turn a canal boat around.
🧧🐇 GONG XI FA CAI 🐇🧧 🎊🐇 HAPPY LU 🧧🐇 GONG XI FA CAI 🐇🧧
🎊🐇 HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR 2023! 🐇🎊

This year's new Moon occurs in Asia on Sunday, January 22, marking the start of a new lunar year. As with many winter solstice celebrations, the symbolic darkness of night is banished by the light of fireworks, lanterns, and candles....and lots of reunions over delicious food.

With Asia's borders open for outbound travel, we'd love to introduce Asian travellers to a tranquil escape on England's canals with a Blue Otter Holiday.
 
Book our award-winning holidays in the January sale:
Blue Otter Yorkshire / Skipton
https://lnkd.in/gE9bMpCd

Blue Otter Warwickshire / Wootton Wawen
https://lnkd.in/gGc3G7UT

#chinesenewyear #lunarnewyear2023 #januarysale
Are you signed up to our newsletters? Hop onboard Are you signed up to our newsletters? Hop onboard for details of the January sale in our latest issue. Sign up on our website. 
#newsletter #blueotterboats #januarysale #canalholidays
Who remembers the Evergiven and the Suez Canal blo Who remembers the Evergiven and the Suez Canal blockage? 

Our guests over the new year were helped by a gust of wind to replicate it on the Stratford Canal. Just for a brief moment, and much to the entertainment of guests at the Premier Inn and McDonalds. 

We can confirm that no boats were delayed, no wildlife harmed and everyone saw the funny side of novice boating. 
(Er-hem it happens to even the most experienced as well). 

If you fancy a winter cruise, Blue Otter Wootton Wawen is bookable throughout the year. 
January sale now on for both boats on all 2023 holidays. 
#canalholiday #boatingadventures #ithappenstousall
A winter excursion to see @helixfalkirk Kelpies. I A winter excursion to see @helixfalkirk Kelpies. Impressive from every perspective. 
Wishing our followers a very Happy New Year
We wish you an otterly wonderful Merry Christmas a We wish you an otterly wonderful Merry Christmas and hope you’ll join us onboard or online for another year of cruising adventures in 2023!

Many thanks from all the Blue Otter team,
Ben, Liz, Dom and Charlotte
#christmas #festivegreetings #canalholidays
It’s not too late to get a last minute Christmas It’s not too late to get a last minute Christmas present for that special someone. 
#christmas #canalholidays #bucketlistadventures #blueotterboats
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas 🎄 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas 🎄 🎄

Blue Otter Wootton Wawen is cosy and warm inside, and can be reserved for static stays throughout winter. 
#canalboat #winterbreak #escapetothecanal #warwickshire
It's that time of year when the numbers do the tal It's that time of year when the numbers do the talking...so have a go at the sums to find out which activity your next holiday should include.

#holiday2023
Not everyone can claim to be Nauti and Nice at the Not everyone can claim to be Nauti and Nice at the same time, but if Luxlife Magazine says so, who are we to disagree?

We are delighted to have received this recognition from the inaugural Nautical Tourism Awards 2022 as Best Canal Boat Holiday Experience - England!

We would like to thank all our Blue Otter Boat guests for their reviews on our booking agent page at Hoseasons, as well as engagement on our social media pages across facebook, instagram, LinkedIn, google and twitter. All feedback is welcomed and we constantly strive to improve our service and keep the boating experience fresh.

2022 marks our fourth year of operations. During that time we have been faced with operational challenges from droughts restricting boating movement, canal closures due to sudden lock failures, to pandemic-induced lockdowns and new hiring proceedures. Guest safety and enjoyment of the canals has been of paramount importance to us from day one, so we are particularly delighted to be recognised for providing an excellent holiday experience.

Blue Otter Boats are in the Starboard collection of @hoseasons, where boating enthusiasts are invited to "Experience our first class fleet of contemporary and stylish boats; you'll get heads turning." Contributing to our award-winning canal boat holiday experience, we only accept bookings through our agent @hoseasons, as this offers our guests an additional peace of mind that their holiday is protected.

We look forward to welcoming new guests and some familiar returning faces to our boats in Skipton and Wootton Wawen.

Thank you for your continued support, it really is greatly appreciated.
#awardwinning #canalboathire #canalboatsuk #blueotterboats #privatecharter #selfdrivehire
Cruising back from the bi-annual nip-n-tuck hull b Cruising back from the bi-annual nip-n-tuck hull blackening on Blue Otter Wootton Wawen. 

Winter cruising holidays available through our agent @hoseasons Highlights include Hatton flight, Shrewley tunnel, Kingswood junction. Cruising from Knowle bottom lock to the Hatton flight - no lock for 8 miles! Plus 3 lovely pubs en route (black boy pub in Knowle, Tom O The Wood and the Hatton Arms).
#wintercruising #boatmaintenance #warwickshire #shakespearescountry @shakespeares_england @canalrivertrust
Gorgeous #autumn day for cruising along the Leeds Gorgeous #autumn day for cruising along the Leeds to Liverpool canal from #skipton on Blue Otter
10 days narrowboating between the locks in Yorkshi 10 days narrowboating between the locks in Yorkshire. What does that look like? Our recent guests had this to say…
#guestreview #canalholidays #blueotterboats
All ready to welcome our next cruisers in #Skipton All ready to welcome our next cruisers in #Skipton. 
If you were going boating…
1) Who would be your cabin partner?
2) Chocolates or fruit first?
3) Red or white wine?
4) Sofa or chair?
#canalholidays #narrowboatlife #bespokenarrowboatholidays #blueotterboats
Sunset or sunrise? Doesn’t really matter, it’s Sunset or sunrise? Doesn’t really matter, it’s gorgeous autumnal scenery from the Blue Otter in #warwickshire. 📷 @dragonseetoh 
#narrowboatlife #blueotterboats #canalholiday #canalsofengland #narrowboatholiday @hoseasons @canalrivertrust
Wildlife on the water, captured by our guests in # Wildlife on the water, captured by our guests in #warwickshire on Blue Otter Wootton Wawen. @dragonseetoh 
#canalholidays #narrowboatlifestyle #wildlife #blueotterboats
Congratulations to our honeymooners currently crui Congratulations to our honeymooners currently cruising through Shakespeare’s country in Warwickshire. 

Blue Otter Wootton Wawen pulled out all the stops for a fitting welcome to their holiday. Our bespoke Blue Otter chocolate is popular with all our guests. 
#honeymoon #narrowboat #canalholiday #warwickshire #shakespearescounty
Skipton swans flocking around the Blue Otter. Some Skipton swans flocking around the Blue Otter. Sometimes they tap the side of the boat first thing in the morning. A natural alarm clock looking for breakfast. 
#swan #skipton #breakfast
Autumn is in the air this morning. Waking up in #S Autumn is in the air this morning. Waking up in #Skipton. 

#leedsliverpoolcanal #canalholiday #canalboathire #canalmemories #september #yorkshire #yorkshirecanals
Thank you Ma’am. Today marks the end of an era. Thank you Ma’am. 
Today marks the end of an era. May she rest in peace HRH Queen Elizabeth II.
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