Trooperdan

Warwickshireman, thanks a bunch for the reply, call me TD or Dan. I've just about decided on the Cheshire ring from Middlewich counter-clockwise but I will take a look at your suggested route. I understand the Llangollen is very crowded and narrow isn't it? It does offer that very intimidating viaduct! <shudder> I expect to make an ass of myself, not to worry, I'll just fly a small Australian flag as a subterfuge!

When I saw the OP I thought my wife had made a post! We are also planning a trip nest year and have the same questions and inability to make a decision! What we'd like to do may not even be possible from on a narrowboat trip! We'd like to be able to explore churches and castles and certainly pubs but I understand that you really can't just moor the boat for a day and go off without the batteries going flat and it is very unlikely to find shore power at a mooring. So, our current thinking is to take 2 weeks, one afloat doing the Cheshire ring and another renting a cottage somewhere near attractions within bike or public transportation reach. I';m certainly not up to renting a car and driving on the "wrong side" of the road! The canals alone are intimidating enough!