I toyed with the idea of selling my house and buying an English 'narrowboat' barge but closer inspection persuaded me that they were, well, a bit too narrow! Also, that the UK waterways were reaching breaking point in terms of lack of maintenance and the weight of new boats being built. Coupled with this was their frightening cost and the distinct lack of pleasant moorings. I also decided that maybe I needed something a little more exotic than the Trent and Mersey! But what?