harleyj

We were told that Venice smelt also, been there twice yet to smell anything but a normal city smell.Loved the place like most places in Italy but it is a bit pricey. On our first visit we were on a bus tour and our wonderful guide Ruth(British) told us( no Americans on the bus) that on a previous tour some American lady wasn't impressed with the Bridge of Sighs, saying that they had much bigger bridges in America.

Have every intention of doing all of the above as earlier this year we didn't have time as we started from Mercia marina and were too stretched each day to really appreciate the surrounds. Next time will hopefully start on the ring itself. Just thought that as we go right passed it we would be able to get to it from the towpath.

When we did the Cheshire ring in May we wanted to get into the Old Trafford football ground to have a look over it. The leader of the opposition is a United supporter(no accounting for taste)and as we are both sports nuts we would have loved the opportunity but once we got close to the ground the towpath is all locked in. Can you mob tell us where you can get access from the canal. We are thinking of doing the Cheshire ring again in 2015.

As long as they cook lamb chops I thought you kiwis would be happy. Ooooops got that wrong, that would be like eating your girlfriend.

Our highlight would have to be The Marple Flight in late May on our trip around the Cheshire Ring. Plus the opportunity to introduce six other Aussies and two Poms to the absolute joy of Narrowboating. Most of those and a three others hopefully will be returning with us "next year"(we can now say that)2014. We look forward to experiencing what seems to be the most popular highlight, the "Pontysyphilis" as one of our crew calls it.

In 12 Days we will be able to say next year we will be on "The Cut " again. Roll on 2014( My wife just said I will drink to that as she just informed me that she has just finished the bottle of West Cape Howe Sauvignon Semillion Blanc) Edited to say there is one mouthful left. Ps That is a very nice dry white from the Mt Barker region of W.A.

We did the 4CR from Barton Turns Marina in 2008 in 14 days with one day not travelling and had a ball. This year we did the Cheshire ring from Mercia Marina in 14 days and again had a ball. If you were to start on the ring itself you would have no troubles doing either ring in a week. As for preference I would have to say that we thought that the Cheshire Ring has so much to offer and was the most interesting ring that we have done.

Obviously not the most in depth reports as we earlier this year, May, had a very ordinary experience on a restaurant boat that has received "5" stars. Not even a place to wash your hands after using the toilet, but we did get a bonus half smoked rollie cigarette in one of our dipping trays.

Having had an experience that I and nine others had earlier this year on "The White Nancy", I can't imagine it's business is expanding. One of if not the worst night out that I and the rest of our crew have ever had. Use a bit of argy bargy and wind with vigour.

Having been through that very section of canal in May this year, I hope our donation of the equivalent of 20 Pounds of our plastic will help. Harley & Shelley

This is a great suggestion. We have on our previous two trips bought cheap folding chairs and luckily have been able to leave the last lot at some friends place not far from where we will start our next trip in 2014.

Hello fellow "Sandgroper", having done a couple of rings on the canals(Four Counties '08, Leicester '10 & Cheshire '12) I would recommend The Cheshire Ring as it has just about everything that you are looking for and more. We just loved it.

As complete novice's in 2006 we were helped through our very first lock on the river Avon by two wonderful experienced couples traveling on two other boats from the same marina. One of those couples have since become extremely good friends with us and we have caught up with them on each of our subsequent trips ('08, '10, '12). We have also been to stay at their home on our last two trips and hope one day that they will come and stay with us. So just think if you are either the helper or the helped you could be as lucky as we have been to develop great friendships and a never ending love affair with the canals of England. All because of that simple act of kindness. We have also become the biggest spruikers for the canals of England and should probably get some sort of recognition from the English tourism board as we have already introduced ten other Aussies to the canals and we are warning you now we will be back in 2014 with even more of them.

What a sad way to end a holiday

The cruise actually started at 7pm which normally in the middle of May would have given us a nice view until about 8-8.30 but the weather was also pretty ordinary. As for it getting plenty of custom, I would be very surprised if any of it is repeat business.

On our recent trip around the Cheshire Ring(canalworld topic-We're Back 7/5/12), I had arranged for the ten of us to have a night cruise on the above restaurant boat. We all were extremely disappointed in the whole experience. I won't go into what actually happened, but my wife said if she had of known what transpired, she would have asked to get off the boat there and then. All in all a very expensive , ordinary experience. I know it would be unusual for any members of this forum to use this restaurant but it does get a mention in Nicholsons Guide, so beware. Harley

The day has finally arrived, we fly out tonight for our fourth trip on the canals. We start on Friday from Mercia Marina and are doing the Cheshire Ring (see http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=44099) We will be aboard "Much Ado" and the other six in our mob will be on "Cymbaline". So if you see us give us a wave or better still make yourselves known to us. We are staying at The Heron's Nest for the first couple of days so if you are about you might catch us in the bar. Harley & Shelley

I would agree that Manchester is the best option, but we have only been into Birmingham. So easy, in our hotel, Heron's Nest at Knowle within an hour of landing. After being on the go for 24 hours that airport is a dream compared to arriving in Perth, the worst airport in the world. All the staff there have had their smiles surgically removed.

Have you booked your flights? If not look at Emirates, fly direct to Manchester or Birmingham. We fly directly into Birmingham via Dubai, just a breeze after flying into Heathrow. So much easier.

Not a lot of ice here (34 today). 3 months to go