Paul@CW

Pennine Boats, that sounds familiar. I wish I had some pics of it still. We also went with a company called Bijou Line once on a boat called Jasper. If I can find them I'll post some pictures in the gallery. Nice early 80's fashion on show!

A friend went in last year. Walking along the gunwhales with a windlass in one hand, he bashed his knee against the cabin side. Rather than gripping his painful knee with one hand he gripped it with both. Of course the next thing he's in the cut. He came back up, put the windlass that he was still holding in the boat and then swam/walked to the side and got out. It was a bit of a shock seeing him go in because I just didn't expect it but I must admit the funny thing was everyone that day seeing the wet clothes on the roof asking us who had gone in.

Here's one to get the old memories flooding back. Whilst away on a boat last week I was thinking about the very first time I went on a canal holiday. Do you remember your very first experience on a canal boat? Here's mine to get you started: I must have been 6 or 7 (now 4 years away from when life begins... apparently) and I remember the family went to look around a narrowboat at a base in Ware (I think) on the River Lea or Stort (I forget which). Anyway a short time after that we were away on a weeks holiday on the Leeds & Liverpool from Silsden. I can only remember a few things from the trip as follows: - The boat was blue and white but I don't remember the name or the hire company. - My mum was terrified of the locks but I thought they were fantastic. - We met and travelled along with another family and when it rained the Dad stripped down to his swimming shorts and steered the boat in just his shorts! - My brother and I used to pull out dead fish from the canal with our nets and tell our Mum and Dad that we had caught them. - Everyone was so friendly and that was a bit of a shock to an young lad from London's Eastend. - It was the first holiday I'd been on where I was hooked and wanted to do it again, as soon as possible. Happy memories !

Many thanks to all those helpful boaters and to the BW man who freed us from Aderley top lock last week. When cruising out of the lock we suddenly stopped dead. It turns out we were stuck on a very large tree trunk that had become wedged under our boat and into the sluice where the top paddle is. Thank you to everyone who helped free the boat with much rocking, good humour and total understanding at the traffic jam we were creating in the flight. If you are passing Aderley any time soon take a look at the tree trunk that is no doubt still at the side of the lock by the BW hut.

Does it being a hire boat make a difference then John? I would have thought that would have been annoying no matter what type of boat it was or are you saying that its was less annoying as you realised they may have been new/unsure of what to do etc? I hate those Barnton and Saltersford tunnels with a passion. Last time I went through we could see a light coming the other way so we reversed out. Nothing came through so we went back in. Saw the light again that looked like a boat coming through so same again. Again nothing came out. In again, blast on the horn, no reply so we just went for it. As we came out the other end we realised it was the sun reflecting off a boat that had moored near the tunnel mouth and reflecting down the tunnel. Until we got close it looked exactly like a headlight. I blame the people who built the thing. Clearly no regard for us 21st century leisure types :-)

I took my 1st winter cruise in February of this year. Whilst it was very cold I must admit that it was very enjoyable. After all thats what gloves and hats are for! We were lucky though because, even though it was cold, it was quite sunny for the whole week. Not sure how I would have felt had it rained all week (which is my usual holiday weather no matter where I go)

So many choices :-) Seeing as "the missus" says she doesn't mind working the locks we've narrowed it down to either past Audlem and carry on down the Shroppie or up Heartbreak Hill and turn onto the Mac just before the tunnel and head up there a little way. Have not been up the Mac before as I've always gone through Harecastle on my way round the ring. Does anyone know what its like up that part of the Macclesfield? Is it countryside or towns? My Cheshire Ring Pearson's has been convieniently ripped up by my 18 month old daughter. David and Julie, thanks for the info. Have you met my Dad John at Claymoore? Anyway if anyone see's us out and about or moored say hello. We'll be on one of the boats ending in "Castle". Not sure which yet but hopefully Beeston.

Thanks dor. I did that route in May and enjoyed it very much. Turned just above Grindley Brook. Had something to eat in the cafe by the locks and saw them flooded by another boat crew. Its a really impressive sight when that much water flies down the lockside and down the towpath under the bridge below. Lucky there was no one walking there at the time. Needless to say the locky, who has popped in for a cuppa, was not best pleased ! I think I may head down to Market Drayton as you suggest as I seem to recall that even though you have the locks at Audlem they are not too bad to opperate and well maintained (or they were a few years back). Those bywashes at some of the locks on the Llangollen are sods aren't they?

Off out on the 16th from Preston Brook for a week. No point in heading North due to the breach so will head South towards Middlewich. Our crew is a little light this time and as her inside the doors doesn't like steering much she will be lock crew with my 5 year old son. Needless to say we will not be breaking any speed and distance records I can't decide which way to go when I get to Middlewich. Anyone care to share their thoughts as to which way they would go in my situation and why? Cheers all.

Yes we got one at our Canal Warehouse email address. There's only a couple of problems with reciprocal linking. 1. Your site will rank higher if you have a one way link from another site (rather than you linking to theirs as well). 2. Aparently Google has started ignoring inbound links until they have matured (up to 8 months) so as to stop people listing their sites on a link farm of no relevance. 3. Just when you think you are doing well in the search engine listings they will go and change the way the do things and completely screw up all of your hard work. Its always worth having relevant links to your site though so having said all of that I don't mind giving him a link back. 4 days till boating... yay !

I fall into the holiday on them every year category... for about the last 25 years. No point in owning one as I live too far away from any canals to devote every weekend to it and I'd just be pouring money into something without getting the use out of it. For me hiring is the ideal solution. I don't know what that makes me but if owning a boat is a requirement then I must be a non-boater who boats... or an NBWB as we non-boaters who boat like to call ourselves.

Steve I now feel duty bound to try them all as to not do so would be letting you, fellow boaters and possibly the nation down.

Hi Steve I'll be heading along part of the ring from Preston Brook down the Trent & Mersey from next Monday so I will try a few pubs out for you (oh it will be tough)

Like many I only open them when the water is right up to them. My 5 year old loves to watch the force of them when you are filling an empty lock though.

That's right Liam the "Castles" are part of Claymoore. My Dad is the owner there. Thanks for the pub recommendations. At the moment we are either thinking of heading towards Chester or possibly to Wrenbury for the first part of the week. The dropping Dad back at the base and picking up crew number two. May take them down the T&M to Wheelock (get them working some locks). We went in the Cotton Arms at Wrenbury a few years back for breakfast. That was a very good way to start the day