stewey

Well said, David. Stewey

Yes, the old bathing place is the recommended limit for narrow boats. Well worth getting the guide book as suggested above. Stewey

Indeed, but of course the lock keeper could raise the bridge! Stewey

I can only agree. I'm not in the market for a boat but if I was I would only consider a second hand boat. The thought of the possibility of many years savings going down with a boat builder would fill me with dread. Stewey

Alan, even more than that. Their boat History page states that "Unless otherwise stated, all boatss based on Reeves Boatbuilders hull". Milburn misspelling of boats, not mine! http://www.milburnbo...uk/history.html Stewey

No, he should have bidded £180k and enjoyed the saving £40k principle Stewey

Thank goodness you picked a quiet moment from the webcam! Stewey

Ah, so you have both pumpout and cassette but do you also have a bucket?! Stewey

Mark, Canal Junction already does quite a lot of what you want to do. I use it to look at the companies which are included in a particular area of the country and make a decision based on the quality provided and the hire cost charged by the relevant company (hence much reading on this site) and the canals or ring I wish to cruise. See the site here: http://www.canaljunc...idays/index.htm Good luck with your plans. Stewey

I'm not surprised by that! Lovely boat. Stewey

I like the "ideal 1st cheap home" bit!! Stewey

Yes, please avoid this like the proverbial plague. A couple of weeks ago we went up it unknowingly and, when we realised we couldn't get any further, tried to turn around. No hope. So had to reverse back to the junction through weed and foul muck. We had considerable help from a local couple who said we were the third boat in the last few days to get stuck.on this canal. (Ridgacre Branch). Stewey

Which was paid for by the Camerons. Unlike the £650,000 spent by Derry Irvine on his flat in the Palace of Westminster. Stewey

Solution: Shave off your hair Stewey

Personally, I lean towards hiring! Stewey

I've been to Huddersfiled and no it doesn't look attractive to me Stewey

Other maps/guides to those above that we also like are: 1. Lockmaster http://www.lockmaste...mastermaps.html We find these great when doing a ring. We get the map laminated and then it becomes a souvenir for the trip! 2. First Mate guides http://www.canalmate.co.uk/ To quote: The First Mate Guides - for all you need to know about health, wealth, shopping and more within walking distance of the waterways.The only guide with full details of and how to find: dentists, vets, doctors, telephones, shops, banks, post offices, launderettes, post boxes, etc. Stewey

I hope they have stopped by next week! Sad to hear this is happening. Unfortunately boats are an attractive target for the ne'r do wells. Stewey

Likewise, I hope to spend a few days around Birmingham/Wolverhampton in May. I would also be very pleased to hear about recommended moorings around the BCN. Thanks Stewey

What was patronising about it? Sounded a fair question to me. Stewey

Tiny, just to update that information, Evesham lock no longer has a lock keeper (from 11 April until further notice) and boaters will need to operate the lock themselves. The notice regarding this can be downloaded from the Avon Navigation Trust site here: http://www.avonnavig...2003%202011.pdf Very helpful information you have given in this post. We have had to change from the Warwickshire Ring to the Avon Ring thanks to the closure of the bridge on the Oxford Canal in May. Need to do some fast learning about this ring! Stewey

It certainly is, Richard. We are hiring a boat from Kate Boats over the fortnight which almost exactly covers the stoppage period. We hired the boat with the intention of doing the Warwickshire Ring.and will now have to change to the Avon Ring. Really upsetting for Kate Boats and all other hire companies in the area as the closure will make it difficult for hirers doing either the Warwickshire Ring or the Leicester Ring over this period. Having done much research on the Warwickshire Ring and purchased the relevant guides we now have to obtain maps/guides for the Avon Ring. I expect I will be asking numerous questions on the forum covering the Avon Ring and especially the River Severn and River Avon. Stewey