[OSM-talk] Potential mapping extravaganza in 2007?

[Richard Fairhurst]

Andy wrote:

> While completing a short section of the Trent & Mersey canal last night
> while my son had a piano lesson I got to thinking that a mapping
> extravaganza based on a canal boat or two might be really cool. Perhaps
> something to think about for next year. Incorporate the next OSM Anniversary
> perhaps.

I think that's a superbly imaginative idea.

Hopefully by then I'll have a 40ft narrowboat which could form part of  
the convoy. Anything I can do to help, let me know. (For those that  
are unaware, my day job is editor of Waterways World magazine, and I  
used to work for British Waterways and still know most of the PR  
people there.)

Nick Atty, author of www.canalplan.org.uk, might be interested, as  
might my old colleagues at waterscape.com (the webmaster is quite an  
open source advocate).

www.waterwaysholidays.com is usually the best place to book narrowboat  
holidays online. I wouldn't bother about towing a butty - it doubles  
the amount of work you have to do at locks; a few exhibition panels in  
the bow would probably serve just as well.

A reasonable number of inland marinas now have wifi. We wouldn't be  
able to find one every day, but there might be a handful en route.

There's a good list of cruising rings (circular routes) here:
http://www.waterscape.com/boating/cruisingrings

The Leicester Ring and Thames Ring are both rural with a good  
scattering of towns, and are well suited for a fortnight's cruise.  
(The Leicester Ring is fairly easy to finish in a fortnight, but  
there's a lot of branches, such as the Erewash Canal, if you have  
spare time. The Thames Ring is a bit more effort.) Or if you just want  
a week, there are plenty to choose from.

And then the French canals in 2008? :)

cheers
Richard