The Victoria Shadow Association

Being semi retired, I spend most of the year, both summer and winter on board, making the most of an expensive hobby before it's too late.             As for the boat, several modifications have been made over the years and it could almost be classed as a 'live-aboard', also now fully equipped for coastal use.
	Aquarius on the Great Ouse

 

I started boating approximately thirty years ago, with a Viking 21, a Colvic Northener, progressing to being a true sailor with an Ichen Ferry sailing cruiser and finally back to motor-boating some ten years ago with a Shadow 26, which I thoroughly enjoy.

 

St Ives		Great Ouse Boating Association moorings near St Ives

 

Much of my boating has been on the river Great Ouse in Cambridgeshire, from the same marina, L.H, Jones's Boatyard, in St Ives.

 

On the way to Ely	Ely Cathedral	Ely

 

I have occasionally ventured out into the Wash crossing over to Boston in Lincolnshire, one year managed the "Grand Cruise", all the way to Nottingham via the Trent, [what an adventure .] Alas, not as yet with the Shadow, although I have every faith in this boat and that of the builders.
	On the way to Denver

 

Denver Sluice		The Tidal Stretch at Denver

 

The River Ouse is a very tranquil waterway; [except for when it is in flood, which it is, as I write this. More so that the seasons seem to have changed.] In some ways unspoilt, connecting with the tidal stretch at Denver [see images.] However, we are suffering to a degree, because of its beauty, by an invasion from the "bath tub brigade", viz; narrowboaters. [It is my opinion that THEY do belong to the canals, something because of size, we cannot use.]

This page last updated on the 24 Mar 2008