Scarletgirl

We went with Bearboating a few years ago and, as well as the boats being fantastic, the crew there are exceptional! They will take you through the 1st couple of locks and answer any questions you have as well as give advice as needed. The lockies along the route love the “boo boats” and will also be welcoming & helpful! it’s a fabulous canal to be on & I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

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Anglo Welsh have some boats with chairs. Their Firth Class is one (boats named Golden ......) - a 57’ 2 berth boat. We’ve been on them a few times & going on one again on Monday for 2 weeks from Stockton.

We were o the Mon & Brec a couple of years ago in August & hardly saw another boat! We arrived in Brecon during the Jazz Festival and moored just before the basin without problem. A beautifully peaceful canal.

Thanks everyone (I think lol!). I was worried that it might be too busy but the suggestion of going that far to have a look & turning round if we have to is sensible! Hadn’t thought of going onto the river but that’s definitely something to look into. Can we get a visitor licence locally or will we need to arrange one in advance? Will need to check with the hire company too that we can do that - and that they give us the necessary kit! (though we have been on rivers with them before). Looking forward to getting Pearson out once again - and OH will have his Nicholson’s!!!!

Thanks guys. We were hoping to go as far as we can into Oxford itself - is that possible? Or is it better to stay in one of the areas suggested and bus it in?

Hi. We’ve just booked a 2 week trip, end of May into June, going from Stockton. We’re planning a leisurely trip to Oxford & back. Have previously been as far as Aynho (and done the Leicester Ring from Stockton as well as arriving there from Warwick way!) Would be grateful for any advice on where we can moor for a couple of nights so that we can explore a bit of Oxford? Many thanks

PS Books ordered - Pearsons for me Nicholsons for him

Well, decision made at last. JessicaBoo from bear boating booked How did we decide? Well it was the choice of boat in the end. Most availability from other companies was for 6 berth boats for the weeks we need so we would have had space we wouldn't need but with smaller sitting & kitchen areas. In the past we've hired the "Golden" boats from Ango Welsh - 1 double bed, 2 comfy chairs, proper table & chairs and a decent size kitchen - especially useful as we enjoy cooking & eating in some nights - especially our Sunday Roast!! I was also keen to try a different layout - this boat's a reverse layout with a pull out/cross over bed. We're seriously considering buying a boat when we retire (used one, not enough cash for new!) so trying something a bit different will help us decide what we like & don't like. We will certainly do the Cheshire Ring one day - we hope to have plenty of retirement years ahead of us for lots more exploring Many thanks for all your helpfull comments. I'm sure I'll be back on here again before June to ask more questions about the L&L Rhian

Hi everyone. Many thanks for all your replies. Both options obviously have their merits & Mike, your post on overnight stops on the Cheshire is already being looked at in detail by the beer loving Mr S ?! Think that whichever one we decide on this year we'll just have to do the other next year!! We're going on the last 2 weeks in June so final decision might be down to what boat we can get! John - will have a look at the companies you suggest. Roll on retirement - 18 months & counting ?

Thanks again MJG. Will have a look at the boats from Skipton. All advice much appreciated

Thanks MJG. Very tempted by the L&L. Think we'll have another look at the boats from Silsden. Unless anyone out there recommends the Cheshire Ring?!!

Thank you both. We did the Four Counties a few years ago, from Bunbury and in a week. Promised ourselves that we'd never do that again - days far too long & we felt exhausted by the end of it - though strangly pleased with ourselves with what we achieved !!!! After that started booking 2 weeks away but always seem tempted to push ourselves - just to make good use of our precious 2 weeks on the boat. If we go from Bunbury this year we aim to turn Right onto the Mac up to Manchester, joining part of the Four Counties before retracing our steps from the Mac back to Bunbury. My worry if we do the L&L is that aiming for Wigan will mean long days travelling with pressure on us to get back to base on time.

It's that time of year again when we have to decide where to go for our annual 2 weeks on the canals. We've narrowed our choices down to either the Cheshire Ring or the Leeds & Liverpool - basically because of the availability of the hire boats. It's just the 2 of us, we have a few years of hiring "under our belt", I (usually) do the locks whilst Mr S is at the helm (typical hirers!!), we enjoy sampling the local food & beverages (otherwise know as pubs in the evening!) and like to spend as much time as possible on the boat rather than too much exploring the local sights - though a leisurely time so no more than 6-7hrs travelling/day. If doing the Cheshire Ring we would start from Bunbury - I've noticed that some are doing the Ring in a week so will 2 weeks be too long? If doing the L&L we'll be starting from either Appleby Bridge or possibly Silsden & would like to go th Wigan & back - is that feasible in the time available? Any advice to help us decide would be warmly welcomed.

Hi Graham We were a bit apprehensive about the rivers as well, though we have done the Avon in the past. No need to worry - the Soar is beautiful & no different really to a very wide canal. It did go into flood without much rainfall & I think we were lucky to get through when we did or we would have been in Loghborough for an extra day. The Trent by comparison is huge & turning onto it was like going out to sea!!!! (slight exaggeration perhaps!). It was a clear sunny evening but we had the wind & current against us so it seemed to take forever to get to Sawley. We only saw 1 other boat and it was a wonderful experience. So glad though to get a great mooring in Shardlow & that well deserved beer / glass of wine! We weren't really aware of a potential problem crossing to Alrewas but there are lights in Wychnor (I think that's where they are!) & we were told that that section is prone to flood. It was pouring with rain the morning we were travelling but we had no problem at all - other than getting drenched & not really able to appreciate the scenery. Lunch at The Swan in Fradley was very welcomed. Back in work now but wishing we were back out there somewhere, anywhere - roll on retirement!!!!!!! Best wishes Rhian