cornishdave

Yeah, I think it's possible we're being a bit optimistic, will have a play with route planner and see how it comes out. I'm making the assumption that lock opening times will be broadly the same as last year's. At the end of the day the plan is just a guide and will be subject to change as we go - not too bothered as long as we can find some pubs to eat at

That's really helpful, thanks. We have dogs and have visited Haigh Hall before, so think we'll go with the Leigh branch and stop at Pennington or Haigh Hall depending on how we're doing for time. We're starting at Silsden for two weeks - initial thought is to go down the five rise to somewhere like Shipley Junction, then back and along to Wigan flight. Appreciate that any number of things such as queues/weather/water shortages can change matters 🙂

Hi all, just planning our summer trip and have a quick question... If all goes well (and I appreciate that's a big if!) we should be coming down the Wigan flight and arrive at Wigan Junction with about 2 days spare before we turn around. Given that would you choose to continue straight towards Liverpool direction for a day and then turn or head down the Leigh branch for a day before turning? Cheers Dave

Sorry for the late reply, entered a bit of a black hole signal-wise. Anyway, got sorted at Caen Hill Marina 👍

We were originally planning to go to the waterfront tonight but don't think it's open Tuesdays 😐

Two week hire, finish Saturday. It's probably fine, just an abundance of paranoia on my part most likely. Just figured if there is somewhere to pump out better safe than sorry 😀

Just coming towards wooton Rivers heading down

It is Crt one. We're not actually full yet, just planning ahead. Was going to use Honey Street tomorrow but they said they don't do pump outs any more (apart from their own boats presumably) Will call the hire company if we get full

Hi all. We're on the k&a summit heading for pewsey and in need of a pump out soon. Can anyone advise where we can try (bearing in mind it's a hire boat and we don't have a crt card) Thanks

You're absolutely correct, not a problem going upstream as the bow can overhang the cill giving you an extra foot or so which makes life much easier

You are correct, they are clearly marked for the most part. I think the posts are painted light blue (or at least three top couple of feet) to indicate overnight mooring allowed

Ok. Only wondered if you were the lovely people we worked Hatton with on the way there.

I couldn't agree more. Only minor problem is the same with all rivers and goes with the territory - moorings can be a little short on supply towards the end of the day so some flexibility is needed when planning, but we always found somewhere. Odd question, but is yours the boat with the large yellow duck on top? 😀

We've just finished an excellent trip which included traveling down the Avon from Stratford to the Severn. Just a bit of info that may be of use to anyone else going that way - some of those locks are damn tight length-wise for a 70ft boat! From Evesham onwards we had to go down the locks diagonally then push the front of the boat sideways to open the gate, so definitely no room for a second boat. One lock in particular no matter how much shuffling and pushing we did there was no way to open the gate. In the end following some advice from a kind angler we had to go down backwards then with the bow overhanging the cill we had enough room to open! No complaints, was a fab trip - just a heads up for anyone else going down these locks in a 70 footer.

Proceed, not princess 🙄

ANT now reporting navigation is open, princess with care. Possible debris in river

That is incredibly helpful, thank you so much for that. It looks as if the timings I got out of CanalPlan are optimistic to say the least, will have to have a re-think... Thanks again Dave

Thanks both, much appreciated. Right, had a bit of a play with canal plan, this is first draft - does this look about right/feasible given lock/bridge opening times etc? (Pick up at the wheel.) (Part) Day 1 - Linlithgow Day 2 - Edinburgh Quay Day 3 - bridge 49 cafe (midday start as wander through city in morning) Day 4 - Kelpies (sea lock basin?) (9am start to make sure we've got time to get through the locks) Day 5 - just after Bonnybridge lift bridge Day 6 - Spiers Wharf Day 7 - just before Bonnybridge lift bridge Final morning back to the wheel/base Cheers Dave

Yep, we're certainly not going to travel up there and miss the Kelpies. Plan at the moment is to drive down to see them rather than take a day out of the trip to boat there. That may mean we only see them in daylight though, so having a think about that

Hi all, As per the title, we're going for a week on the Forth & Clyde and Union canals, looking to visit both ends. I think Edinburgh basin is probably ok, but unsure about the other end for an overnight stop - would you suggest Glasgow or Bowling for a secure/peaceful stay? Many thanks Dave

I can confirm that inner tube and jubilee clip works well 😀. I can also say that I saw more than one tap adapted with duct tape but can't speak for how effective this is. However, as one boater I bumped into at the water point found - if you use a spanner to (temporarily of course!) remove the fitting in question the screw thread remaining on the tap is a larger diameter than the standard CRT one. He eventually gave up and was going to continue down the river until near a B&Q!

Possibly a silly question, but is there any way to pay without being woken up by someone hammering on the door at stupid-o-clock? ? (bearing in mind we'll probably be arriving the day before after she's finished for the day)

Saw a black Prince one going down Hatton flight today - presumably on its way to Napton. Suspect they're getting fed up of being asked - had signs in the windows stating not on hire, moving for business purposes.

Thanks all, much appreciated.

Lovely, thanks for the advice. Think I'll press on slightly further on a couple of days and aim for Wallingford instead of Benson and Henley instead of Poplar Eyot. One quick follow-up if I may - my understanding (although possibly unfair, I don't know) is that mooring at the bottom end of the GU after joining at Brentford is a bit grotty - how far should one consider going up the GU before stopping for the night ideally? Cheers Dave