JJay

If you are hiring from Kate Boats you are unlikely to get as far as the Cape on the first day, bearing in mind usual hire starting time of 2pm onwards. Personally I would do Stockton locks then moor near the Two Boats/Cuttle Inn for the first night, then the Cape/Budbrooke Junction on the 2nd night and Kingswood on the 3rd. But Canalplan as mentioned will allow you to input all sorts of variables!

This - Also it was 10 years ago! - they seemed the best option for us at the time

A couple of these Oil-free radiators from Argos plus a dehumidifier. Considerable outlay to start with but they've served us well for 10 winters now! One window left open - bathroom porthole. Disconnect water tank and drain pipes. Also, a tip we had from a friend who has a static caravan - leave the bed made up as it stops the mattress getting damp.

Yes, we did that!? Well, actually it was a new build, bought off plan. We had of course visited the development and viewed the show houses, but there was no show house of the design of ours anywhere in the country, so our first "proper" visit after substantial completion of the build only took place after exchange of contracts and our second on the day we moved in! Incidentally, we are very happy with our purchase.

With a boat name like ours, a lot of passing conversations take place in "school French"!

Don't despair. We had our Jet2 flights to Portugal in April cancelled, and were told by email that they would be contacting people in order of departure to discuss their options. I was sceptical but sure enough we had a phone call 1 week before the departure date to say had we chosen alternative dates or would we like a credit voucher valid for 6 months. I explained that due to health issues we were not in a position to book another trip and certainly not within 6 months, whereupon the extremely pleasant young lady said "Oh, you'll be wanting a refund then" and processed it there and then. The money was back on our credit card the next day.

This was our very first narrowboat experience: https://ukcanalboating.com/Birmingham-mini-ring-from-Alvechurch-Cruising-Route.html 4 days, not exactly leisurely, but still got us hooked!

No worries at all Frank. Sharing information is what it's all about!

Thank you for that. Will try your recommended cleaner before we make a decision!

We've shied away from large areas of red because it fades so quickly (the handrails are one of the "bad bits"), Do you find that to be a problem, and does the colour have a noticeable effect on the temperature inside the boat?

Thanks for all the replies. Yes, I have wondered if we would miss the light coloured roof from the point of view of temperature control, but the two days we spent getting it pristine in July only to have it looking distinctly mossy by October is not an experience I want to repeat too often!

Our 8 year old boat is looking a little the worse for wear but is well short of needing a full repaint. Can anyone recommend a painter within reasonable reach of the Braunston/Napton area who might be willing to touch up rust spots/ bad bits (various illnesses and physical limitations mean we've had to neglect this for a while, nor do we feel able to tackle the job in the forseeable future). At the same time we'd like the cream roof (bad mistake!) repainted to a more practical colour. As to the roof, we are torn between raddle red and mid grey. The main colours are black, cream and red. Any preference, or other suggestions? Many thanks in advance.

‘Fraid not. Ours was Halcyon, 2 years later, I think.

We had a Carefree boat 8 years ago. The finrads were fine for warmth, but they're not great for hanging your wet socks over!

If you make too many rules and restrictions your daughter will not enjoy herself. You sound like sensible people so it's likely your daughter is sensible too! - a lifejacket is a given, but let her use her common sense to decide for herself what is safe and what isn't, and let her help with anything she wants - most kids work out very quickly what needs doing and the best way to do it. She will be proud of her achievements and you will be proud of her, too. I understand the attraction of a Ring, but be aware that unless you have a burning desire to boat the Avon/Severn, you can see the Shakespeare properties, Stratford and Warwick and plenty else besides without leaving the canal system. In fact you could do both a ring and a trip to Stratford (Warwickshire Ring with a side trip down the South Stratford from Lapworth) easily in 3 weeks. Recommend Canalplan for checking out this and other possibilities. Enjoy your trip!

Some years ago, when a friend was joining us for a few days from Trevor, Anglo-Welsh were happy for her to leave her car in their car park. There was a charge, but it was very modest.

We have winded 60ft there (though not for a couple of years!)

Not when we were with Carefree. After two years at their home base, we were asked if we wanted to move and various suggestions for general area were made by the owners. These were followed up by Carefree who came back with three possible marinas (Oxford/GU; N. Oxford; Worcs & Birmingham) and we voted on the one we wanted. Stayed there for two years (during which time we sold our share) and I think the boat has been based at three other marinas since. They may only use three bases at the moment, but that's not to say there won't be others in the future. It depends what the owners want.

We had a Carefree share boat for 5 years and used our winter week (which could be as late as the beginning of March or as early as the end of October) for 4 of those. The exception was one January when the ice was too thick to be moving - even so we spent three days aboard at the boatyard, went for walks and took down the curtains and delivered to the drycleaners! We've always enjoyed winter cruising, though you need the right clothes, the right food/drink/pubs and plenty of fuel for your stove! One of the main pleasures for me is that you can see so much more of the surrounding landscape when the trees and hedges aren't in leaf. One advantage of getting a 2 week share now is that if you like it and want to do more, you can always get afurther two week share in a different boat at a different base, thus extending your route options. Hope it all works out for you