Riverwatch: Blame it on his mum

Jun 3 2009 By Mort Smith, Surrey Herald

Derek Banks blames his mother for his lifelong interest in boats and boating. Between the ages of 13 and 18 his mum packed him off to work at Crevall's boatyard in Old Windsor in the school holidays.

Derek, who now runs barging holiday company European Waterways from his riverside home in Wraysbury, said: "I used to do everything around the yard and I learned a heck of a lot about boats and life on the water.

"It's something I've always been interested in and for me, running a company that offers people the chance to get on the water while being well looked after is something I love to do."

European Waterways has a fleet of 17 luxury boats spread across the UK, Ireland, France, Italy,Holland and Belgium. The company has been trading for more than 35 years - a tribute to the quality of holidays on offer - and Derek makes no secret of the fact that European Waterways aims to attract the top end of the market.

"We target people prepared to spend £2,000-plus for a week's holiday.But for that, they know they are going to get a wonderful experience. Each of our barges has a professional skipper and a first class chef."

Cheap it isn't - but I've always believed that you get what you pay for and, judging from my brief tour around Magna Carta, the company's old converted Dutch barge that offers a week's trip along the Thames, you are pampered.

Gourmet meals, a first class wine list, deluxe ensuite cabins with underfloor heating and air conditioning, a beautifully furnished dining saloon and a hot tub on the foredeck are all part of the treatment. There are even bicycles that guests can use if they want a change of scenery.

Dominic Read, who skippers the Magna Carta, spent more than a year refitting her.

He said: "The conversion was a labour of love and we are delighted with the result and so, judging by their reaction, are our guests."

For more information, visit their website at www.gobarging.com