Another summer comes at a close and the joys of Autumn are upon us.
The lovely warm days and cooler evenings with beautiful changes of colour in the countryside.
We are now restarting the heating and lighting the stoves, this is a gentle reminder that although we would like to stop up all of the draughts we all need to beware of the hidden dangers of carbon monoxide.
This invisible gas can and does kill boaters every year.
Please check your battery in the CO monitor and resist the urge to block up the ventilation.
Happy boating

Autumn has started this week with a distinct change of temperature.
This is the season in which our boat annual general meetings occur with owners getting together to meet and chat and decide the future of the boats mooring location upgrades and maintenance.
For the management company this is a lovely time when we actually get to see the person behind the voice on the phone and likewise for new owners they meet all of the team.

During the last few days of August we look back at the summer, this year we have had very wet winter but pleasant and warm summer days.
Over the last week we have had some unusual storms which bought some welcome rain for the gardens and reservoirs.
We all hope for an Indian summer to provide us with a little more sun before the grip of winter.
I look forward to meeting all of the syndicates over the meetings during the next few months.

Our stand at Over water Marina Audlem Cheshire on the 3rd and 4th September was considering the very poor weather, very well attended.
We met some lovely potential owners over the weekend and provided a great deal of information about our boat share listings.
I am pleased to say that even though we did not have a boat at the show several bookings were made to view boats during this week.

As we approach August I am totally over whelmed this year with the number of shares we have sold.
I have been selling shares for 6 years now and I have never experienced as much interest, even selling three shares whilst cruising on my holidays.
Enquiries are still coming in, something two years ago would have been unheard of.
Currently my stock of available shares is at a record low but this should change as owners return from their summer cruise and evaluate their circumstances.

What a wonderful cruise I had with friends during July.
We had two weeks cruising to the Black Country Museum and return to Stratford on Avon
This is my first trip on the southern Stratford it is a very restful canal, if you excuse the very narrow bridges.
If you have not traveled on this section it is one canal I will be adding to my favourites list.
This journey is one of contrasts, if a little energetic, you can take some relief on the Birmingham sections.

Here we are at the end of July and I like many am planning my summer cruise.
This is the time when I actually get to see the canals in their rich summer colours, I enjoy the spotting of wild flowers and always hope to spot something I have not seen before.
So whilst I am packing I include the Wild flower, butterfly & insect identification books most years I am lucky and identify something.
I will be travelling up the South Stratford to Birmingham a section which is new to me and reading my Pearson's guide it sounds as if I will not be disappointed.

As I write this at the end on June Ownashare syndicates have just attended our annual representatives meeting. This meeting enables all of our syndicate to meet and exchange ideas and discuss topics raised by themselves and allows Ownashare to discuss with everyone about proposed improvements in services.

I am very encouraged by the ongoing interest in share purchases.
This year continues to be the busiest year in our companies history.
The market for share sales continues to be brisk and active and we continue to have high levels of sales.
As the summer progresses and we all enjoy our cruising I will be planning for starting the bookings for 2017 next month.
if you are considering purchasing a share, please be aware to choose your own choices of weeks next year our booking system starts in July.

Anyone attending the Crick boat show will know how busy this event can be with ever more people wishing to move to a life afloat.
The canals are a continuing place to go for peace for our busy minds and exercise for our often sedentary bodies.
The appeal seems to be growing again as we search for an escape for the pot holed congested roads and the constant mental pressures of our land based lives.
I was very pleased to meet many people searching to take their first steps on the boating ladder doing extensive research before investing in a boat.