[Two week cruise from Stoke Prior]

Thanks ?

[I have returned....]

43 minutes ago, Athy said:

Welcome back to the waterways, Mr. & Mrs. Krip.

If you both like them so much, how come it's been 13 years since you last ventured on to them?

Good question. Always meaning to, but never taking the plunge.

[Two week cruise from Stoke Prior]

Yes your'e right Dave. Got my canals completely mixed up. We are on the Worcester & Birmingham at Stoke Prior.

[Two week cruise from Stoke Prior]

37 minutes ago, Cheese said:

If from Stoke Prior I guess you don't mean the Kennet & Avon?

Oops. You're quite right.

 

14 minutes ago, dmr said:

Essentially "Avon" is an old English word for River, so when the Romans came over here they kept accosting the locals, pointing to the local river, and asking "what do you call that?".  The locals replied "Avon", so many of our rivers got renamed as the River Avon, or essentially "River River".

 

The K&A itself has two separate River Avons, though only one is navigable.

 

If you do the K&A then a trip on the "Bristol Avon" down to Bristol is highly recommended. Bath to Bristol can be easily done in a longish day, but the Avon can come up quickly after rain.

 

...............Dave

And yes, I have got my Avon's all about face. Thanks for the info. Interesting.

 

34 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

I'm a bit puzzled. Stoke Prior is on the Worcester & Birmingham canal so what's the connection with two weeks on the Kennet & Avon?

 

Assuming it's Black Prince boats at Stoke Prior the Avon Ring would be good choice for a two week cruise with plenty of time to explore further afield on foot or boat. It certainly gives time to add Birmingham into the mix. Note that this is not the same River Avon as in the Kennet & Avon, this could explain the confusion.

 

There aren't horrors on the Avon providing the water levels are OK but it does rise and fall quickly and the locks have fierce flows - particularly in the uphill direction. The hire base will keep you advised of conditions and if either the Severn or Avon are not suitable you wouldn't be allowed on as a hire boater. Check with the boatyard regarding the licence, this is a very common route for their boats so may be included and if not may be pre-arrangeable.

 

Also note that Stoke Prior hire base is immediately below a flight of 35 locks and if you do the Avon Ring you will have to do them in one direction. If you went up to King's Norton to join the Warwickshire Ring you'd have to do them in both directions. Not sure that fits your brief.

 

The other common route from Stoke Prior is the Stourport Ring but it is a comfortable one week cruise. The Avon Ring is longer and generally a 10 day minimum.

 

JP

 

 

Yes, we are starting from the Worcester & Birmingham. Got my Avons mixed up.

Thank you for your reply.

 

[I have returned....]

After several canal holidays many years ago, the missus and I are taking the plunge once more and are venturing out onto the Worcester & Birmingham in June.

Last outing was in 2005 along the Ashby Canal. My wife Laura, is from the States and loves our canals as much as we all do.

Cannot wait......?

Paul

[Two week cruise from Stoke Prior]

Me and 'er indoors are booked for a fortnight at the end of June on the Kennet & Avon. I have cruised the canals several times whereas the missus hasn't, so she wouldn't want anything too exhausting. We are in our sixties, The Avon Ring looks ok, but a tad concerned about cruising the River Avon. Does it hide any horrors? And how much is the licence we have to buy?

The Warwickshire Ring is apparently for "a more active fortnight". Personally, I love operating all the locks. It is an integral part of the holiday. SWMBO is a bit of a wimp when it comes to physical exertion so she would have to pilot our boat.........?.

Seriously though. Any tips/ideas would be very welcome.

Thanks in anticipation ??