Baron & Mrs Boater

At last.... I recognise one, after extensive zooming up and down the canal network via the Google satellite to find a mystery tunnel and then a mystery aqueduct, in the wee small hours of the morning I remember spotting this one ! It is at Newbury on the K&A.

If you are fitting out and can find a small space, why not fit one of those small safe's onboard. Ideal for locking valuables away when leaving the boat in an unknown area, whilst they are probably not true criminal proof they will protect your wallet from opportunists. You can get one these days for less than £20 (like you get in a hotel room) and you can build it into the wardrobe or under the bed.

Tis true Mike !

I do believe it is available, watch you don't fall in after eating it ~ you would never surface again !!!!

Well, they serve an excellent pie at the Junction Inn in Norbury ! That's our local ! Give us a wave as you cruise past, and we hope you enjoy your trip.

Yes, you are right - I knew it was someone famous ! It was named after the poet... "An island in the centre is called Browning's island, after the poet Robert Browning who lived nearby." http://www.timetravel-britain.com/columns/.../london04.shtml

Many thanks....so try this one

How do you get them pasted into the box ?

Prince Albert's Island, I believe it is called, we were there in October. That's the first and only one I've even had the vaguest idea about so far !

This is all quite marvellous ~ I now know where to start ! Thanks all, I will let you know how I get on.

Hi, It is expensive, by pub standards, and they have strange hours for bar meals (they finish serving at 7.30pm or something similar). The setting is very nice, and the restaurant is very good but they have gone too corporate for my liking. Hence don't expect much change from £50 a head ! The nearest proper pub is in Penkridge, where there are a plethora - the Boat being a reasonable pub and a bit further on the Cross Keys. I have not eaten in there yet. There are several pubs in the village itself, living not far away on land we often frequent the Littleton Arms where they have a varied menu of both food and drink at reasonable prices. It is probably 15 minutes walk from the wharf at Penkridge. Hope this helps !

I was kind of hoping I could have a little dial with a needle, rather than loads of tubing all over the place ! Its a plan though !

How do I go about fitting gauges to tell me if I have diesel and water ? I am vaguely competent at DIY, but not sure about tackling something where there is a risk of fire or flood ! Any suggestions very welcome.

In between Stone and Sandon there is a place called Burston, where it is a short walk to the Greyhound. They do excellent food, and are very friendly. Sunday lunch is very good - loads of choice. The Dog and Doublet at Sandon has recently been refurbished and is now a carvery - not eaten there yet, but the decor is much nicer and it seems to get busy which is a good sign. Further down, the Wolseley Arms, food here was not up to snuff when we last partook (though it was a summer Sunday and busy)

Well at least with a paper copy you can use it to light your squirrel !

Mrs Boater tells me 37 is not old, and I should be able to keep up with you ~ I know I'm built for comfort, not for speed, so I'll take it steady and enjoy the view !

Well to my mind, I would rather wander lonely as a cloud than go at it like a pig at a 'tater ! I go boating to escape the rat race, so there doesn't seem to be any point in rushing onboard too. It is nice to see towns and villages (even local ones) from a completely different perspective. Still it is good to know it can be done, I don't get as much holiday as I would like !!

The old Baron broke down by the "Secret Bunker" in Nantwich last year in an attempt to do the four counties - so we never got all the way round - in fact we had only made it from Norbury ! BTW the secret isn't very secret, there are signs everywhere ! Now we have a new engine, we will try again this year - can it really be done in a week ? Anyway, when you go through Norbury - give us a wave !

We've boiled the kettle on ours, it takes a while but then we aren't in any rush !

Thanks - I will try that !

Good old Baron, built in 1991 (we think) is a 45' trad boat built by Wychwood Narrow Boats. It has a plaque stating it is boat 0001 - we have not been able to find out anything about the builder - anyone got any ideas ?

I have two cocker spaniels, one is getting on (9) and one is only 6 months old. We are in the process of training the pup, and we hope she turns out like the older dog, but they are both very different characters. The point being, I try to be responsible. I always scoop the poop (and take it to a bin, though there is a distinct lack of bins anywhere these days) and when off walking both hounds are on leads. For one thing I am sure the pup thinks the canal can be walked on ! (well ducks do it don't they?). I must say I never realised there was such a depth of feeling against dogs ~ I can honestly say no-one I have ever met has backed away, complained or seemed concerned, most people seem to want to stroke, touch or talk to my two. I will be more wary now which I hope helps the non dog lovers. We have found that very few pubs will accept us on the inside, so we either stay outside or we don't bother at all. I am not prepared to lock the dogs up in the boat or tie them on short chains and make their lives miserable. There are a number of books available listing dog friendly pubs, a good one is published by the AA (that's the Automobile Association !) Baron & Mrs B (& the dog crew)