European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 17, 1978, Darmstadt, Hesse In none names by Leah Larkin travel writer e was an ism Salesman. She was a Secre tary. They met while vacationing in Sardinia. Three years ago they were married in their native England. They Are Young interesting the kind of couple you picture on their Way up in Suburbia. We had just reached that stage he said. We could have carried out in that state of life House kids 30 years with ism. Or do something a Little Jonathan and Catherine parratt opted for the quit corporate life to Start his own business. They bought a boat not a House. Instead of parenting children they care for guests. Kate the mate and Captain Jay run a floating hotel up and Down the thames. The Actie a Ren notated Barge is also their Home. Jay 30, studied at Antioch College in Ohio but had grown up in a Small town on the thames and loves water and boats. Like Many Young men he dreamt of working for himself. At first he considered the business of chartering yachts. Then he thought about a Barge on the canals of France. It took him six months to find a suitable ship. The Actie is a dutch Barge built in 1907. They paid about $7,000 for not much More than a took a year of full time work by both parratto to transform the ancient boat into the Homey comfortable Craft it is today. During that time they lived aboard in cramped disrupted the time the Actie was ready for passengers they had decided the thames offered As much As French canals. Their cruise route from Kingston a Borough in southwestern London to Oxford takes two re probably the slowest boat on the River boasts Jay. We Stop at All sorts of places. We see a lot the Normal tourists Don t but then most of the tourists aboard the Actie Are not the Normal variety. They Are the sort who have Al ready seen the Tower of London and big Ben taken the Tours of Oxford and Cambridge. They want something different and they have the Money to pay for it. Cruising on the Actie is not for the budget trav Eler. Rates Are about $80 per Day per person for accommodation in a twin Cabin. The Price include food and excursions everything but drinks. Children under u Are not permitted on the vessel unless the entire Barge is chartered by their family. Page 10 the stars and stripes a a i1 is a / a �?., it s it a a uni san a Mimm the Actie turns around in the River at Hampton court before tying up. Chartering the boat for three Days is $1,200, plus $120 per person. The Actie with space for 12, combines summer amp Type Beds bunks with elegance and luxury Pri vate Cabins with private Shower and toilet Cabins Are on the lower deck. The upper deck is a Large attractively furnished room that serves As the dining area bar Library sitting room. There s also an outdoor deck with plenty of sitting and sunbathing space. A Jonathon and Catherine parratt sunday september 17, 1978 Days on Board Are leisurely beginning with Tea of Coffee served in bed followed by breakfast of Choice in the upper deck dining area. Mornings might be spent visiting a River Village or stately Home with Jay or Kate As escort. It s Back inboard for lunch then perhaps More sights in the after , you do what you want sleep read talk to the other guests. It s total Are on Board for those who want to Cycle on Shore. If you want to ride a horse or play Tennis the Par Ratts will arrange it. Between stops Jay is at the Helm navigating the narrow River through locks that leave no room for error. Kate is Likely to be pointing out the pretty country Sce Nery with a refreshing enthusiasm lacking by most in the they Are the sort who have already seen the Tower of London and big Ben taken the Tours of Oxford and Cambridge tourist business. Look at those funny Little houses a Chi with its immaculate Garden she says As if discovering the scene for the first time. Suddenly she notices that Jay is pulling in by Hampton court and dashes off to get the boat Hook. Straining with every muscle she pushes the Barge from the Cement Wallon Shore. Then she sees the fishermen sitting right where Jay i headed. She smiles and explains the situation. They pack up gear moving without a word of complaint As she grabs the boat lines and ties up. Both she and her husband obviously enjoy Cater ing to the customer who feels More like a House guest than a paying client. It s their personal service which they feel distinguishes them from their competitors on the thames. We is photos by Gus Schuettler # 4 Kate the mate shows some muscle with the boat Hook at Hampton court. Are the Only owner skipper run boat on the River says Jay. Then there is the food. No less than formidable. Lunch and dinner Are gourmet feasts thanks to Kate s love of cooking and cordon Bleu background. Last season their first in business she did All the work in the Kitchen her self. This year she hired two Young women both with cordon Bleu training to whip up souffles knead dough and create sauces so she would have More time to look after the entrees such As sole Portugais veal Bonne Femme or Crown of Lamb Star at dinner. They Are always accompanied by fresh vegetables. We buy All our vegetables from the there Are also exotic first courses a cheese Board and spectacular desserts masterpieces such As Jacquoise an Almond meringue cake with fresh fruit and Cream bake our own bread says Kate. The flour comes from the oldest working Mill on the River another place they Stop. We make our own sweets she said and in addition to lunch and dinner desserts afternoon Tea is a time to Sample these the Barge in tip top shape and the guests Happy is not always easy. There have been As the time Kate had to wrack my brains for three Days to come up with recipes to satisfy a Teet Taler who was allergic to eggs. Or the time the propeller broke in flood water and Jay had to spend a couple of Days in the water repairing nonetheless As Kate says it s All very meet a tremendous number of different people. No cruise is Ever the same. The lock keepers have become our friends. They help Jay has no regrets. But i was quite Green when started building this boat. If i had realized How much it would Cost the Effort trials and tribulations i would t have done it. We re a Young business. We can t afford to efforts have been rewarded but next year we Hope to the parratto have no plans to acquire other boat Sand make a big business of River cruising. It would t be the same. You must provide Persona service she says. The Actie goes from Kingston to Oxford then Bac again. Passengers can Book for stays of three to 12 Days. Cruises Are scheduled from May through october. For details write Actie Barge cruising holidays Hilton House Norwood Lane Meopham Gravesend da13oye, England. Well stocked bar on gourmet food and wine served aboard a former Barge. Sunday september 17, 1978 the stars and stripes Page 11
