Drizzt

Not too bothered really. In an ideal world it would be a marina so we have others around us, access to electric to keep the batteries charged & somewhere to park. But if a linear mooring was much cheaper, would be happy to look at that providing we could park nearby.

Thanks- yes these are the 2 at the top of the list. Ashby probably comes first as its a bit easier to get onto the main network. Cheers

Hi All, My wife and i have been taking narrow boat holidays for a few years now and are very keen on the idea of getting a small 30-40 foot narrow boat for a month or two cruising at a time. We would probably spend 6 months on the boat cruising. We have been on the T&M and the Bridgewater canals & would love to have a marina mooring that gives us a fair few miles of simple cruising either lock free or limited number of locks. This is mainly from a health/physical point of view rather than anything. We dont do huge miles when we cruise probably limit our cruising to around 4 hours max a day. As our experience of the whole network is limited, i would be very grateful if others have some views on sections that we may find suitable. I have looked at the Lanky & its very appealing (although a bit of a travel for us) but welcome others views and advice. Many thanks.

Thanks dmr, I have watched a video of boats going through the tunnels- is it only Preston Brook that has a time schedule or do the other 2 have similar in place? I am more than happy to wait and follow a boat through (safety in numbers) - i will be going through on tickover as slow as i can. Hopefully i will have a bit of boat control if we head south first and get some chugging under our belt before heading to the tunnels!

Thank you all for the help and advice. I think we will wait at the lock until we meet another boat. Would be good to chat with others and get some tips while doing the lock!!

Hi All, My wife and i are going to be hiring a boat from Anderton marina for the first time and are looking to chug down to the big lock (75) just north of Middlewich, then turn round in the winding hole and head back up past Anderton and through to Lymm. I have been on narrow boats before when i was at school, but my wife is a complete novice. We are a little nervous about the big lock (75) in middlewich as its likely to be our first. Will their be lockies at this lock for the may bank holiday in 2 weeks? If no lockies are going to be about, is it okay for us to wait at the lock landing for another boat to share the lock so we have some help? Any advice would be most welcome. Thanks.

Hi Scholar Gypsy- That looks really lovely!! thanks for the link. Do you use an anchor on the Nene and great Osue when you moor up?

Many thanks matty40s

Hi thanks for the info- do you go through Whittlesey?

Hi All, Sorry for the stupid question, but ive read a few posts on here about boating around the great ouse and St Ives & i wondered (i am total newby) can you get a say 55" narrow boat to St Ives or Huntingdon back on to the main canal network? Ive loked at the CRT map and i am a littl eunsure? many thanks,

Thanks again all- plenty of food for thought!! South Oxford seems like a good starting point, and isn't a million miles from either.

Thanks all - some really good advice. I'll take a look at the suggestions and see what the boss like the look of. I would boat on a muddy puddle so i'm easily pleased. Cheers

Hi All, I haven't been on a narrow boat for many many years but used to go a lot with my school when i was young and fit. My wife has never been and i want to get her hooked on cruising. I would like to take her on a short break 3 or 5 nights somewhere very pretty with easy locks to navigate. I have shown her the Shropshire union on you tube and she likes that very much. I am conscious of that canal being quite tight and narrow - & as we are total novice boaters would this be suitable? Our/My long term aim is to get a boat and cruise full time. But want to get a much better understanding of boat handling and life on the water before taking the plunge. Any advice on hire companies and locations very gratefully received. Many Thanks, Jeff

Good mooring all, I wont bore you all with my life story- I used to live near a canal in my youth, and spent nearly all my free time fishing the canal and rivers in my area and every opportunity i would go on narrow boat holidays with my school and family. My wife has never been on a narrow boat, but i have shown her some tempting youtube videos of some very pretty canals, which she has fallen in love with. I plan to take her for some short breaks to ease her into narrowboats and hopefully get her hooked. I have done the K+A canal and the four counties ring previously - but always with experienced boaters. I'm looking for suggestions for easy 3 or 5 day cruises with easy locks to get us into the swing of things and learn the ropes. If there is a better place to ask the question above please let me know. many thanks Jeff