Hwpa46

That is interesting. I do recall that on the GU.

Ah. Interesting. I maybe missed the sign. Cheers all. G

Thank you; that seems plausible! G

Because I saw them leaving the top of the lock, one of the crew remaining behind to empty it! See my original query.

It just seemed a waste of a lockful to be emptying it for no apparent reason. G

I was walking from Gt. Bedwyn to Kintbury today and a westbound boater was emptying lock 72 having just ascended. Lock 73 had been left empty with bottom gates open. Is there a reason for doing this (the info board just says leave gates closed and paddles down)? I thought it might be to help someone who was following, but no-one was. Graham

My mistake! It was definitely Black Prince at Stoke Prior. G

We hired from them for two weeks last year to do the Avon ring from Tardebigge. Great boat and it all went very smoothly. We're hiring from them again at Napton this August. Graham

We moored above the top lock on Thursday night, just before the lock landing and thought it was one of the two best places we'd moored on the whole Avon ring! Fantastic views over to (I think) Clee Hills and Wenlock Edge. You can see why Rolt moored there for years. If you walk up to the church and beyond there are great views south and west to Bredon Hill and the Malverns as well. Graham

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=72950&hl=%2Bavon+%2Blocks#entry1482006 This is the one I mean G

Tewkesbury well worth a visit, good moorings above Avon lock. As others who know the river much better than me have said, Eckington Bridge and Pershore also v good. Favourite mooring is by the lock above Bidford on Avon. There is a path back from here into the village. There was a very useful thread "Avon ring" on working the Avon locks on here a while back. Graham

Yes. A fee paid to the charity for this purpose would be tax deductible as "wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the business" (like PR costs) - a charitable donation is also tax deductible, technically as a charge on the company's income. Graham

Here's The Daily Mash's usual irreverent angle!. http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/arts-entertainment/bbc4-canal-boat-programme-contains-subliminal-gay-porn-2015050698036

We love this canal with a passion. I found the comments about the Fleur De Lys very interesting. How long ago did members have problems with the miserable landlord? as the pub changed hands last year and I have found that the new people who now run it are more boater friendly. My unfavourable comments were therefore out of date. I'll try it again on my way through this summer.

Indeed. It was the prominent notice at the entrance setting out in stark detail where you were NOT allowed to eat that first suggested we might not expect the warmest welcome .

I have (and am v much looking forward to boating through in July). It's just that "coal and cinder heaps" somehow didn't sound like Mendelssohn's cup of tea! Graham

Yes, I guess Mendelssohn was being sarcastic when he referred to "the prettiest walk"!

I recently went to hear Mendelssohn's oratorio "Elijah", which had its premiere in Birmingham Town Hall in 1846, and browsing the web afterwards came across this: "The music critic of the Athenaeum related the story that Mendelssohn, after the performance, said to him in his merriest manner, “Come, and I will show you the prettiest walk in Birmingham.” Mendelssohn then led Chorley and other friends to the banks of the canal, at Gas Street Basin. There, on the tow-path between the bridges, they walked for more than an hour discussing the new oratorio. According to another member of the group – Mr Moore – it was there and then, amidst the scenery of the coal and cinder heaps, that a sudden thought struck Mendelssohn to change the duet to the now famous trio." (Derek Acock - Winged Lion Records) Graham

Done. It would be nice to get to 'Pool before turning up my toes!

Voted.

I hired from Excellence Afloat at Coventry earlier this year and the proprietor certainly explained the 8 - 8 guidelines to me as part of his very thorough briefing. Graham

Stunning picture Dave! What a lovely waterway that is/ will be. Graham

Thanks for that Graham. I'll manage my expectations down a bit. Ours is Hope Valley - it looks very good "on paper"...I hope it is, as I've managed to tempt the Mrs out of canal retirement with the promise of luxury afloat! Was your boat in good nick? Graham

Hi Jacko264 (and all - my first posting) We are setting off from Excellence at Coventry basin in a couple of weeks. Only one week's holiday, so a gentle out and back. Just wondered how far you got (i.e. where you overnighted) in the first couple of days. I thought maybe around Brinklow (or Ansty?) and the top of Braunston. Graham