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Folks Thanks very much for your words of advice and encouragement. Will consider the trip to 'Kiddy' (used to live in Worcester so know the area very well.

Cheers wriggly!

Well tomorrow is the day when we set sail on the good ship Golden Fleece. Any last words of advice, encouragement or warning (yes I've read about log piles!) Cheers

Thanks MP

Good question PB - Does anyone know about the water? No mention of it when i spoke to the hirer but I expect the forum users may know. This does lead to a second question - looking through the Nicholson's etc last night, i noticed that the BCN main line and the Wolverhampton level are pretty much parallel. I believe the BCN is shorter by (not sure by how much) than the Wolverhampton Level but has 3 more locks. I am assuming the timing for this section would probably be similar given the lock miles calculation. Any thoughts? Also as they are so close together, I am assuming the sceneery is very similar.

Guys and gals again many thanks for your continued assistance and advice Good stuff magpie, that kind of knowledge is exactly why i searched this forum out. cheers

Aye, that's the one i ment - as below Black Country Ring

Nicholson's all sorted. That journey planner is a great website. Exactly what i have been (unsuccessfully) looking for. Cheers

Folks Thanks very much for the replies so far. All very informative. Early satrts not a problem and yes it would be Birmingham main line. Will speak to the hirer ref coal. Thanks for the pub tips and morring suggestions. Keep em coming!

Afternoon all A nice forum you've got here. The missus and I have a boat hired from Great Haywood for a week in mid-March and are looking to do the Black Country Ring. We are in our early 30's and fairly fit however our previous experience is limited to one day on the Brecon and Monnmouth (and no locks). I appreciate it is 80 something miles and a similar number of locks. We are early risers and don't intend to stop off for wandering around too often. Is it feasible to do it in a week? I also have a number of other questions below but would appreciate any other comments / advice from you guys who have the knowledge and experience. Anywhere particularly good / bad to moor? The boat has a solid fuel stove, is wood / coal easily available on the canal or should i have a couple of sacks with me? Clockwise or anti-clockwise? Good pubs / attractions on the ring? Is it worth taking the bikes or should we focus on making progress in the boat? I'll probably have a few more q's later but that'll do for starters. Thanks in anticipation of your replies V