doratheexplorer

It seems that different definitions exist for fly boats.

During the school holidays you'll see lots of other families on boats and you will probably see some realyl dangerous things going on, like kids running up and down the roof while the boat is moving, and even while in locks. Lifejackets never worn. Be prepared for your daughter to question why she is so restricted when others aren't. It's worth getting her to wear a lifejacket all the time, on rivers and canals. You should too, then she'll not mind. Trainers/sneakers usually make good boating shoes as the soles are very rubbery and grippy. Hiking boots often make poor boating shoes as their soles are hard but with deep tread, for dealing with mud and uneven surfaces. They don't grip well on smooth, wet surfaces at all. I don't see why you'd keep her off the bow all the time. That's quite a safe spot to sit while travelling.

There are plenty of moorings at Tewkesbury if you're willing to pay. They already have a spare day on my itinerary. The elephant in the room here is that 10 days is too long for the Stourport ring which takes about 5-7 days. If I was the OP I'd do the Avon ring, or book for 7 days and hire a car for 3.

That's not true. It simply doesn't show a score.

This is true up toa point, but you can't score 1 star without your cleanliness beeing poor too. If other factors are good but your paperwork lets you down, you'll get at least 2-3 stars. More than that, in the vast majority of cases, paperwork not completed goes hand in hand with poor hygeine in other areas too. If the owner hasn't even the wearwithall to ensure their staff are ticking the boxes each day, it indicates they couldn't give a stuff, and their kitchens probably aren't clean either. Many years ago, I had to do food inspections and, in my experience, any premises not getting at least 3 stars had a kitchen which was revolting and I wouldn't eat a thing from there. I suspect that most members of the public, if they saw how bad many commercial kitchens are, they would be appalled. Strangely, when the local paper reports a nice restaurant or pub getting 0 or 1 star, the owner is always quoted syaing it's just because of the paperwork. Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?

The OP said 10 days so I went with that. If 11 days, then simply add in a lovely trip to Gloucester Docks for the extra day. Not sure what you mean by ground to a halt, whichever way you slice it, 10 days for the Stourport Ring will leave some short days. As you recommended a trip to Hanbury Hall could be included but that up to them really. Your day 5, for example would only be 3 hours or so for cruising. My shortish day, up to Stoke Pound is specifically to increase their changes of getting moored there. I'd agree with SeaDog that there's not a great deal in it for either direction. However, the availability of pubs for the evening (which was specifically requested) works a lot better going clockwise. They could moor outside a pub every night by following my anticlockwise itinerary. I've also tried to consider the availability of moorings for 4 boats together. Trying to get 4 boats into the BCLM in july is one hell of a long shot so, some will have to moor outside, which is a less than desirable option. I certainly would never moor on the rings outside the gates. Some of them could go down to the John The Lock moorings but then they're not all together. Hence I would offer a side trip down to Gloucester as far preferable to a side trip to the BCLM, even though I really like it there. There's more touristy things to do in Gloucester too.

A posh scotch egg is a travesty. What kind of egg is it? Swan?

You're all mad though. Do my anti-clockwise itinerary and you don't have to walk to the pub at all. Leaving more time for drinking, less chance of falling in while drunk.

I'll stick to the Babycham. That's very true. Hockley Heath is a wealthy area and the Wharf has a prime spot, so why does it have to be so awful? Their carvery makes the Eagle and Sun's look good.

If we're talking pubs only within walking distance of the canal, which do good beer, you could try: The newly reopened Prince of Wales, The Wellington, The Craven Arms, The Post Office Vaults, The Bull's Head, The Physician, The Victoria, The Jekyll and Hyde, The Woodman, The Joint Stock, The Queens Head, The Rose Villa, The Pint Shop, The Lost and Found, The Sun on the Hill, The Head of Steam, The Lord Clifden, The Shakespeare, The Old Contemptibles. I could go on for ages. But you're in Birmingham so there's lots of other food and drink options to try, swanky cocktail bars, michelin starred restaurant and cuisine from all around the world.

I quite like the Queen's Head. Yes it's overpriced, but if you've just paid for a flight from Canada, that probably doesn't matter. Plus points: food is decent, drink is decent, it's clean, the garden is nice. The main problem here is that 16 people WILL need to book in advance. Probably even to sit in the garden!! It's always packed. And even in July you can't rely on the garden anyway. I'd be booking at least 2 days in advance and going for an early sitting - around 5-5.30. If they're planning to go clockwise (daft) and walk to the Queen's and back (in the dark), from Tardebigge on the first night, they'll probably need to arrange it before they even get here. Yet another reason for going anti-clockwise IMO Of course, we still don't know what the OP considers to be a proper pub? Maybe he's hoping for a Harvesterspoons at each stop?

The best drinking places in Worcester are The Plough and the Oil Basin Brewhouse. If you've come from Canada and would like to see something historic, then The King Charles House.

I enquired about it the last time it was up. I didn't get a reply. Do they actually want to sell it? Is this some complicated money laundering thing?

Whenever I've asked the lock-keeper at Bevere if I could moor for the pub, he's always said yes. He asks if you could turn to face away from the lock and moor at the far end of the pontoon, so other boat know you aren't waiting.

It can be done but you can't get away from the fact that the nearest place to eat is miles away. That was the main criteria for the OP. By going anti-clockwise you can moor up by a pub every night. You can't do that going clockwise. It's that simple.

JP was reasonably positive about the Eagle and Sun though. He's too generous. It's crap. I wouldn't describe it as a pub either.

Would help if you could give some details on what you like from a pub or restaurant. What sort of drink / food / atmosphere? The we can give better responses. There are loads of places i like on the ring but you might not. Also, see my post on the other thread. I still stand by what I said. Anti-clockwise is a better option, if for no other reason than it solves the problem of the first night. Your other concern is that there's 16 of you. That's going to be a problem for some of the eateries on the route. Either because you'll need to book in advance or because you'll be over-stretching their kitchen.

Heading to Tardebigge first wouldn't be my choice. Getting to the bottom of the flight is going to be unlikely, and moorings at the bottom are limited, so 4 boats arriving late are unlikely to fit. At the top of the flight, or below lock 1, there are lots of moorings but nowhere to eat. I'd also advise against doing Tardebigge as your first locks. It's a big flight to tackle as you first locks. Far better to head for Birmingham. If arriving late you may find it all very busy with moored boats, but carry on through to the BCN mainline and moor just past Vincent Street Bridge on the new mooring rings (some of you may not fit and you'll need to knock pins in). Then you'll have all the eating out options you could wish for. Day 2, head for the Delph/ Merry Hill. You'll have a single lock at Parkhead junction to spend time getting used to locking. Your problem again is finding good moorings in high season for four boats, but at The Waterfront, you should have no problems getting in somewhere. The recommended pub in the Vine (aka Bull & Bladder), but there's plenty of choice there. Then get a good night's sleep, you'll have a lot of locks tomorrow... Day 3, Merry Hill to Kinver. 31 locks! But nice eating out/pub choices in Kinver. Day 4, A lovely run down to Stourport. Take your time, it's a lovely stretch. Moorings above the canal lock, more mooring in the basin, more moorings on the river pontoon. Lots of eating out choices. Day 5, River Sever to Worcester, enjoying having the River current in your favour. Loads of moorings by the racecourse on the river but there's a charge. A free pontoon by diglis locks. More moorings up on the canal through diglis locks. The pub at diglis is nice but there's a whole city to explore. Day 6, free day: explore Worcester or head down the Severn to Upton or Tewkesbury for a pub lunch! Overnight moorings are tight in Upton for four boats. Better to head back to Worcester for the evening. Day 7, Diglis to Dunhampstead, eat at the Fir Tree. Day 8, Dunhampstead to Stoke Pound, arrive early afternoon to bag the moorings. Consider breasting up? Queen's Head pub opposite. Day 9, Stoke Pound to Alvechurch, moor on visitor moorings or in the marina. Day 10, you'll probably have to hand the boat over first thing, so you'll be glad you're already in Alvechurch.

Yes it's discussed in the link I posted

That's because I picked it all up on my prop on my last time through!

Glad to hear of your success!

http://www.ma.hw.ac.uk/solitons/HISTORY_OF_EXPRESS_CANAL_BOATS.pdf