Tramp on a boat
I have two dogs, and regularly walk them alongside the Leeds-Liverpool Canal near Apperley Bridge, on the Leeds/Bradford border.

About two years ago the hull of a boat - not a big boat, maybe a two-berth cruiser type - appeared one weekend, moored by the butresses of an old bridge.

Slowly but surely a superstructure has been built up on the hull, made entirely of rubbish - old kitchen units, doors etc..Essentially this wreck now has a serviceable, if ramshackle, living quarters.

And I can't help but envy the old dosser who lives in it. It's rent free, he's done a very good job making his little cabin waterproof, he's not going to be bothered by chavs and I often see him making his way back down the towpath with bin-pickings from the very affluent areas nearby.

This boy lives for nothing and I've never seen him ask for anything, in a rustic, peaceful little corner of the West Yorkshire rat-race.

There's the irony - his floating house is next to the railway lines from Skipton and Ilkley into Leeds, with trains conveying polyester clad arse-lickers from Barratt Home to call-centre and back, stuck in 9-5 land with only Big Brother to entertain them.

Hats off, Canal tramp. I'll print this, and any replies, and leave it on his boat tomorrow.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 2 Jul 2009, 18:53, 18 replies)

<<<This is the internet saying hello. Hello canaltramp.>>>

( We are the lemon irked your craw on, Thu 2 Jul 2009, 19:04, closed)

+1
Hello, sir. Much respect to you!
(Home Bargains was last seen wanking like a safari park chimp:, Thu 2 Jul 2009, 19:11, closed)

Well yes
I've never actually engaged Canaltramp in any sort of conversation beyond:-

CT - "Theseyerdogs?"

TD - "Yeah"

TD - "Thatyerboat?"

CT - "Yeah"

So I'm not sure where he stands on a greater metaphysical plane. Towards the bottom, I expect.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 2 Jul 2009, 19:20, closed)

Another one
Hats off to you canal tramp, you are free.
(Gru being trolled since 1998, Thu 2 Jul 2009, 20:17, closed)

Hello Canal Man!
I also am rather envious of your boaty freedom. You can float about in your unique home and see all sorts of things. My experiences of Yorkshire canals has been wonderful. One day I'll explore the canals myself, I hope.
( vix0r was not Matthew on, Thu 2 Jul 2009, 20:43, closed)

Well then
As the concept of Canaltramp seems to appeal, I'll take my camera tomorrow and provide photos of HMS Dosser.

Would we like that?
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Thu 2 Jul 2009, 20:57, closed)

Hells yes!
Hello Canaltramp!
( Troo Troo Barney McGrew, Thu 2 Jul 2009, 21:34, closed)

fuck yeah!

(TheManWithThePlan cussed your mum on, Thu 2 Jul 2009, 23:01, closed)

yes!
hats of to you canal tramp man! lots of hats!
(TheManWithThePlan cussed your mum on, Thu 2 Jul 2009, 23:00, closed)

I have nothing but respect for a man
who puts the graft in to build his own castle.
( djtrialprice, Fri 3 Jul 2009, 0:00, closed)

Good for you CanalTramp
Sounds like you have it all figured out.
( chart cat has an itch, Fri 3 Jul 2009, 3:07, closed)

Pictures when you go back and congratulate him!

(Super Oaf Petit filous?, Fri 3 Jul 2009, 8:57, closed)

Canaltramp, I salute you!
I can't help but envy him either, a little. As far as tramps go, this guy has it made.
(berk, Fri 3 Jul 2009, 10:05, closed)

*Joins the Canaltramp fan club*
Here's to you, sir
( TheMagicDwarf is back like ballroom dancing, Fri 3 Jul 2009, 10:17, closed)

congrats canaltramp
pictures (and antying he says) would be nice
(tb2571989 dies at precisely, Fri 3 Jul 2009, 11:19, closed)

Livin' the dream...
Life, I hope, is good for this man. We can only guess as to what circumstances or decisions led him to that life, but as one who has lived the mobile dream, there are a lot of benefits that come with it.

Fresh air (how clean are these canals?) and being exposed to the wonder that is nature always made me smile inside. I hope these sentiments are shared, if not, then please find them enclosed!
( Blind Meach Cautiously optimistic, Sat 4 Jul 2009, 14:24, closed)

There won't be any photos
I took some on Friday evening and then started thinking.

My house is fairly ramshackle. It's had a lot of work done and it needs a lot more work and I pay over £500 a month for the mortgage. How would I feel if someone took pictures of it - without my permission - for the edification and amusement of others?

Our man leads a peaceful, independent and anonymous life which I celebrated in my initial post.

The replies seem to suggest that others applaud this too, and I think it would be very wrong of me to traduce his interpretation of domesticity by making it a figure of fun.

He will live his life, we will live ours and I am vicariously gratified on his behalf that there is a general appreciation of his choice of lifestyle.

On any twist of fate, one day we might find ourselves stuck for options and Canaltramp has made the best of his.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 20:17, closed)

:(
Truly, I feel raped.
I clicked in anticipation of ogling pictures of floaty slum and now, like an election promise, the dream has vanished.
I want my click back >_<
(St Sepulchre's Belle tolled for thee on, Thu 9 Jul 2009, 4:14, closed)