John Brightley

Here's more in the same set, and the second is Llangollen: https://www.flickr.com/photos/142205834@N04/32750485974 https://www.flickr.com/photos/142205834@N04/33552668046 https://www.flickr.com/photos/142205834@N04/33552668376

As regards the moorings at Castlefield, when we were there a couple of months ago, the basin on the south side (which I think is called Grocers Wharf) was completely full of what looked like long term moorers. It was also very difficult to turn at the end, so don't even attempt going up there. But in the basin on the north side (next to the YMCA and Liverpool Road) there was plenty of space, and a good working water tap (difficult to find as there aren't any signs, but it is under the railway viaduct). It's a nice mooring -the only downside is the noise of the trains if you are a light sleeper.

From our experience of boating through a couple of months ago, Sale is quite a decent mooring before Manchester. On the Ashton side, I was very pleasantly surprised how nice the stretch between Fairfield top lock and Guide Bridge was, though I probably wouldn't leave a boat unattended along there. We moored by the junction at Portland Basin and it was fine and convenient for shops and pubs.

There's no reason why designating an area a conservation area should cost CRT anything at all. The intention of the designation is only to protect the character of the area, so unless CRT plan to change the canal or its surroundings dramatically, they won't be affected.

Conservation Areas -at least in theory- protect the character of whole areas, though they aren't intended to prevent development completely. One great advantage of conservation areas is that they can be designated by the local authority quite quickly with little 'interference' from other agencies/ government bodies. Long lengths of canal are designated as Conservation Areas -such as the one along the Grand Union in the Warwick area. https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20004/planning/1264/canal_conservation_area

The British Waterways shop and information centre on Kingston Row was open up until about that year, so you could have bought your maps from there. When it closed the general store opposite took on the role of selling a few canal related items.

It was still the Longboat until at least the early 90's, and you're right, as far as I can recall there wasn't any heavy metal played there when it was called the Longboat. BCN Society meetings were held there in the early/mid 80's.

Well, we only saw one other boat on the move between Ashton and Stalybridge in a whole day last Sunday. Not many others moored either.

Anderton area very busy a couple of days ago, but Weaver very quiet, as was the Ashton and the Ashton end of the Huddersfield Narrow.

The cabin isn't of a design I've seen before, and certainly isn't typical of the Brooklands Dolphin, of which I attach photos below. I wonder if it is a Brooklands hull which has had a replacement homemade cabin put on.

I wouldn't have any qualms about stopping in Nuneaton, at least at Boot Wharf. It's a pleasant stroll from there to all the shops in the town centre, including a Sainsburys. If you want easy access to a supermarket in the area, the huge Tesco at Arena Park at Longford, Coventry, is canalside, and there are more stores near Navigation Bridge at Courthouse Green a bit closer to the city centre. I wouldn't stop overnight at either of those locations though. Another option is to get the bus into Nuneaton from Bulkington Road bridge at the southern end of the Ashby - quite a pleasant overnight mooring with the Corner House pub nearby.

This has been a notoriously low bridge for some time -and it seems like it is still subsiding, evidenced by the fact that Tranquil Rose has passed through in the past but now can't (see previous posts in this thread)

Confirmed by article in Canal Boat, 1 Jan 2018, by Roger Wickson, viewed on www.pressreader.com. Talking about the 1940's and 1950's, he says that Barlow boats were at that time delivering coal to Wolvercote Paper Mill. The article includes a photo of an SE Barlow pair, operated by the Littlemore family, doing this. I also seem to recall reading somewhere that Joe and Rose Skinner on Friendship delivered to the mill as well.

Going back to the original question, the term 'hostel boat' was originally used because the boats operated in a similar way to youth hostels, i.e. individuals or groups could use the accommodation, booked their stay per night and often helped with or shared the cooking and cleaning. Hotel boats are (or were)normally booked per cabin (each cabin having one double or one single berth) and all the steering and cooking etc is provided by a crew.

I think it's Great Haywood. The buildings in the background match what is there today.

Yes, they are a wet system fed by the water main. No glass bulb. I work for one of the large housebuilders and we have just fitted our first system here in Warwickshire as a trial, so we are still learning about them too.

Sorry but this isn't correct. Building Regulations require all new homes in Wales to have a sprinkler system, and the same requirements are likely to come into force in England in about a year's time. Domestic sprinkler systems are actually quite discrete, and cost about £4000 for a large 4 bed house.

Saltisford is closer to the town centre (800m) than the Cape (1.3km). Both are nice, but as Neil says above, another alternative is to moor by Kate Boats. There's always mooring space between the Cape and Saltisford, and along that stretch you can park a car right next to the boat should you need that convenience. I wouldn't recommend mooring between Saltisford and Hatton bottom lock - the A46 road is noisy and it's further from town in any case. As regards pubs, the Cape is nice, but there's lots of other good ones - the Coffee Tavern, Fourpenny Shop, Bowling Green, Zetland, Old Post Office.......

I prefer Pearsons guides for Michael's witty writing style and interesting comments. His 'South Midlands' guide covers all the canals you are planning to visit. http://www.jmpearson.co.uk/south-midlands-canal-guidebook.php

To be fair, when Loddon started boating it was normal to leave all gates open when exiting a lock. The general policy only changed in the late 1970's/ early 80's, when the lack of maintenance meant more lock gates were leaking badly and caused problems. Most people including myself tend to close all gates as a routine these days, but it really doesn't matter if a small number of people don't.

Just one more thing before we finish this thread for the moment - June 2020 is still a long way off ( most of us are probably just planning for June 2019!), but nearer the time of your holiday you might want to post on here again with the dates you are going up and down Hatton. Depending on work commitments, some of us locals might be able to come and help you if that would be useful.

Well, they did a few years ago. It used to be known as the Museum of British Road Transport.

Missed this when it was first posted, so I hope this is useful: If you're flying in to Heathrow, my recommendation would be to get a National Express coach direct from there to Warwick Parkway or Coventry, then a taxi to whichever hire base you choose. The coach is almost as quick as a taxi or private car might be. Kate Boats at Warwick might be the easiest choice for a boatyard.

Other people have covered most points, but as a local I have a few other small items to add - If you haven't been to Warwick before, don't miss a walk around the centre of the town. It's quite picturesque and most people enjoy it. There are also lots of good pubs and restaurants in the centre. And a climb up St Mary's church tower is worth it for the views from the top if you have the time. The town centre is easily walkable from either Kate Boats or the Cape, but it's a slightly shorter walk from the moorings at the Saltisford arm (if they have space). There is always space to moor between Cape Locks and Birmingham Road. The place to avoid mooring is below Hatton Bottom Lock as you're right next to the A46 road which can be very noisy. After you've done Hatton Locks you can treat yourselves at the cafe right beside the top lock. It's highly recommended ! At Kingswood Junction I'd recommend you stop and have a walk to the National Trust's Baddesley Clinton house.

Yes, Tipton is correct. The photo is one of a set - all can be viewed here: http://www.dodington.net/Daffy.html