Cheese

I did read your full post, and know exactly what you meant to convey. But the last sentence, which is the one I quoted, isn't specifically tied in to the "in and out of Birmingham" bit. Rather it says "mainly urban" in the same sentence as "popular with the hire bases around Warwick/Napton/Braunston/Rugby ...". I just wanted to ensure that the OP, who is not from the UK and for whom English clearly isn't his first language, doesn't misinterpret your answer. I agree with you that, if they have done the Chester-Stoke area, then the Warwickshire Ring is an obvious one to try.

This could be misinterpreted. It is just the bit into/out of Birmingham that is "mostly urban", and you will need at least one night somewhere in that stretch. Apart from those one-two days it is more countryside, than urban. And while you pass through or near to a number of towns and villages, they don't particularly intrude. There are some interesting places to visit: Warwick (for history), Braunston (for canal life), Drayton Manor theme park (if you have children), Kingsbury Water Park (for birdwatchers). With 10 days you could also include some side trips away from the Ring, e.g into Coventry, up the Ashby, to Napton etc.

Further update. No obvious progress. Remains of coffer dam removed. It rather looks as though, while the dam was in place but breached on one side, the swirling water has led to a partial bank collapse over a short stretch, which will now need piling. Could be some time before Godalming is accessible. ?

Diesel engines still produce some CO, particularly if poorly adjusted, although a lot less than burning gas / solid fuel / petrol. I think something like an exhaust leaking into an unventilated confined space could conceivably produce enough to be fatal. If you are running your diesel heating when moored up I would get a CO alarm. (As well as a heat/smoke alarm).

So looks like here: https://www.google.com/maps/@53.8398982,-0.3957842,106m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en-GB

Or you've just woken up to find the water level has dropped significantly overnight - when it is prudent to walk to the downhill lock first.

But even before this, go to the next lower lock and check all the paddles are closed (which can a be pain if it is some distance away). Otherwise running water through won't help much!

Not if there are only 2 people on it

Agreed. But from the operator's perspective, once the boat is on the books it doesn't cost much more to service an 8-berth than a 4-berth. Mainly a bit more diesel and gas. Provided the hire charge is set at a level that gives a profit, then any hire ought be be better than no hire. I accept that larger bases won't staff up over the winter, so if they need to get people in for a single hire request it might not be worth handling. But for smaller family operators, surely getting the boats out more often via more flexible pricing would be worthwhile?

The latter could be addressed by restricting it to those using "vehicles" - which may or may not encompass boats, defining on how it is defined.

You'd be surprised. I've only been once, to Longleat as part of a family group. But I reckon approaching 1000 lodges, of varying sizes. Plus leisure pool, spa, large sports centre, about 10 restauarants, shops, and around 20 activity venues.

No one is suggesting operators should set prices for a loss. But for 7 days hire for 2 people, starting in say a week's time, some companies are probably still quoting over £1000, once fuel etc is included. At that sort of price, for January, there probably won'tbe any takers. There has got to be a point somewhere between £500 and £1000 that is both profitable for the operator and attractive for someone looking for a late availability holiday.

Even if a hire party, which is often a lot larger than a typical liveaboard crew, eats out "many times a week" they still need food for breakfast and for other lunch/dinners, and some drinks. So it isn't really surprising that they start the week with a reasonable amount of supplies. I suspect the position with pubs is at least partly dependent on their relative distance from hire bases. And how friendly they appear to passing canal trade - given that (unlike local liveaboards) hirers will have no idea of the food/drink on offer.

Surely that must depend on what is being sold? There is a big difference between food / electrical items / tools etc (that might conceivably be a risk to life) at one extreme, and purely decorative items like crochet / paintings etc at the other.

When you say "full tank of fuel", do you mean you filled/checked it yesterday, or it was full 8 weeks ago? Could someone have siphoned off most of the tank, leaving just the crud in the bottom? (Agree this doesn't explain the Ezy-start issue)

In most places it is perfectly safe to leave boats moored up. Probably you will have a key for either front or rear doors, and the others will have bolts on the inside, so it can be left secure. The hire company may suggest you remove and hide an electic isolator or similar from the starting circuit while you away from the boat - they don't want it vandalised or stolen either! Don't leave anything valuble obviously on display while you are out. June is nice. Th days are really long so if you want you can cruise early and/or late to leave plenty of time for sightseeing.

Agreed. But the BBC version is only available for a further 4 weeks ☹️

Update. They put a coffer dam in by the rowing club, apparently about a week ago, to divert the river down the small sluice on the west side of the island, and minimise the flow through the weir breach. Made from scaffolding poles and a waterproof membrane. But the recent rain / strong flow has breached the coffer dam, so that is now only partially in place, and things are back to square one. Very strong flow through the original weir breach, and the lock and mill stream remain dry. They are cutting back some of the offside vegetation opposite the weir breach, adjacent to the car park. Possibly to facilitate access at some point.

This (for CO alarms). CO is only slightly lighter than air, so detectors can be placed at any height and still be effective; somewhere relatively close to the stove / ash bucket is good - but obv. not so close that it goes off repeatedly. Smoke / heat alarms OTOH are best placed high up - ideally on the ceiling, away from walls.

I think it is the Act of Parliament, which gives them the powers to make byelaws, that is now law. The byelaws themselves are not yet fully in place, but they can now make them at a time of their choosing. (May need to give a bit of notice)

There are some people on boats who are really struggling. And then there are those who know what their obligations are but try to avoid them. There would probably be a lot more sympathy for the former, both on here and by the relevant authorities, if the latter stopped trying to bend/avoid whatever rules apply to them.

Waterproof plasters for any cuts or scrapes are essential. And the NHS link above says to keep any canal or river water out of your mouth, so don't eat bacon butties with bare hands if you haven't washed them after handling lines etc - whether they have been in the canal or just on the bank. We tend to keep some kitchen towels handy for eating on the move. And of course keeping the ends of the water tank hose scrupulously clean, out of the mud, and perhaps covered when not in use.