Lottiespal

Thanks for that, eating out isn't essential, just need to be prepared. I haven't travelled that section of the river since I was in my early 20's and can't really remember much about it!

Thanks Martin, that's really helpful. Think we'll give it a bash then. (Not literally though I hope!)

Our boat is temporarily moored in Nottingham (Castle Marina) and we are planning to have a short trip with friends on the Trent through Meadow Lane Lock next week and had decided that Holme Lock would be a good place to moor for lunch and to have a look at the Watersports Centre. Pleased I saw this thread re the lack of visitor moorings there now. Can anyone enlighten me on where any suitable (for narrowboats) moorings are and also if there are any decent eating places nearby. Not really able to travel for more than a couple of hours each way on this occasion. TIA

Thanks for all your replies, back home now after our sojourn on the Soar. We were blessed with beautiful spring weather and a benign river which always helps, although I did find a few muscles which I hadn't used in a while owing to some heavy locks, and gates which refused to stay closed on the run down into Leicester. We moored at Kilby Bridge, then just before Junction Lock, which was particularly lovely and on Zouch Cut. With regards to Leicester itself, we chose not to stop off at all but there would have been plenty of room on the Friar's Mill moorings (Castle Gardens being completely full). I must admit to feeling quite disgusted at the amount of rubbish in and around the navigation. It really is shameful and so avoidable. The only time I felt a bit vulnerable was when we locked through Limekiln, there were around 10 local chaps, (I was travelling with my teenage daughter) who were drinking, heavily if the number of beer cans is anything to go by, around the benches next to the lock. I nodded and smiled as I usually do but although they didn't speak to us, they watched us very closely and seemed to be discussing/commenting on us and the boat and I did wish that the people we'd locked down into the city with hadn't stopped off for provisions. Other than that, we had a good trip and there are certainly some very picturesque stretches with surprisingly little boat traffic although I suspect it may not be quite so peaceful next weekend! Thanks again,

Thank you, Phil and Rickent, appreciate your replies. Now I just have to hope for dry weather for the next couple of weeks!

We are planning a trip to Nottingham this Spring and are intending to go via the GU Leicester line and River Soar. Have already travelled this trip clockwise some years ago and got lots of tips from the forum then which will be useful this time I'm sure. We've planned the route via Nick's Canal Plan and 2 of the overnight stops suggested are North Lock 42 & Bishops Meadow Lock 54, neither of which I can remember from our last trip. Would be grateful if any members familiar with that stretch would advise on their suitability for an overnight stop. TIA

Thanks everyone for your help. Feel much more confident that we'll be able to get a mooring.

Have you tried Nick's canal planner? You'll find it through Google. Very useful as a guide, you can select your days and cruising hours and it will even give suggestions for suitable stopping places. We use it all the time. Enjoy!

Hi all ? We will be heading down to Oxford in next couple of weeks and have family joining us there who are arriving by train. Can anyone offer advice on nearest 48 hour moorings to the station please? We have always moored opposite Christchurch Meadow before but not sure if we're dropping down onto the river this time. Thanks in anticipation

David Hoult from Nottingham made ours, recommended by the chap who painted our boat, had it done last summer so it's been on almost a year. We're really happy with the fit and the price we paid. His number is 0115 955 0808 & he has a website too.

Hi MJG, They must have been there at least 20 years. I've a photo of my 6 week old baby sitting on her Grandma's knee on their narrowboat whilst waiting to come through the lock. She's 20 next month..... time flies :-/

Thank you for that, it's one of the reasons we are considering Crick., We love the Oxford and the Thames but Cropredy is just that bit too far for regular weekend visits. Crick would give us the change of scene/weekends out we're looking for but the Cropredy connection offers the potential to break the journey to the Thames prior to our longer Summer break which would in turn allow us to explore more of the Thames and the chance to visit the Kennet & Avon/River Wey. I'll give the marina a ring as you suggest to confirm whether this would be possible. Thanks too Kwacker, hadn't thought of North Kilworth which is even closer to home, will look into that further.

Thanks to everyone for your replies; you've given me lots to think about. Sounds like being 'in the thick of it' around the time of the show would be fun, for a couple of years at least, but admit that I hadn't considered the difficulties if we wanted to be 'out' over the bank holiday weekend so thank you for pointing that out Valrene. I appreciate that strong winds can be tricky in most marinas but it's good to know that Crick is fairly accessible for single-handers. In some marinas we have used, having a second pair of eyes 'up front' is almost essential for warning of oncoming traffic before emerging onto the canal.( For me anyway!) Although we're not unduly worried about the lack of a good tv reception, it's Interesting to note about the internet access, or lack of, as we have teenage daughters, enough said! From what you've all said, think it's definitely worth going and having a look.

Thanks Bod, we're looking for a leisure mooring too and as we spend a lot of weekends on board the short, lock free runs appeal. As an occasional single hander, how is the marina for getting in and out of? Also is it a 'busy' marina year round? Where we are currently we can spend winter weekends there and not see another soul. Hi Valrene, can I ask why that would be a negative? Do moorers get shuffled around during the show weekend?

Hi all, We are considering a change of marina later this year. No problems where we are, just fancy a change of scene/routes. Wondering about Crick. It's easy for us to get to by car, within our preferred distance from home and we like the village and it's convenient shop/pubs. Would be pleased to get the opinions of people who moor/have moored there. Many thanks in advance :-)

Thanks for your help, just have to convince the rest of the family that they really do want to do all those extra locks now!

Hi all, Over half term we are planning a trip from Fradley back to our home base near Napton. Obviously the quickest and easiest route is down the Coventry and North Oxford but I am considering going via the Birmingham and Fazeley and Grand Union for a change of scene. I've used Nick's canal planner so I know it's a lock heavy route etc. but would really appreciate forum users advice/opinions on this route with particular reference to good/safe places to stop overnight. Cheers

Hi Duckweed, We haven't been there since Valley Cruisers moved in but we've always found it a good place to moor. The only problem we had, apart from the rubbish on the way down from Hawkesbury, was that we wanted to pump out but had no credits left and couldn't purchase a card locally. I'm sure you're more organised than we are. Hopefully someone will come along who's ventured down there this year.

Hi there, Just check before you set out, I think this might be the Chesterfield Canal and IWA Trailboat festival on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th June 2016. Haven't seen anything about a festival this weekend, might be wrong but don't want you to have a wasted journey.

Hi Paul, You don't say whether you intend to live onboard your boat or use her for holidays and weekends which will make a difference as to the moorings available to you as not all marinas, boat clubs etc. allow liveaboards. If you want/ need to moor close to home, the Chesterfield, in my view, is a better option than the Fossdyke. It is far prettier with lovely views from the boat unlike the high banks on either side of the fossdyke and you can still benefit from trips to Torksey, Lincoln and beyond when you are en-route to the canals of the Midlands. The Retford and Worksop Boat Club Moorings at Clayworth are spot on, however they usually have a waiting list but since you are still looking for your boat, it may be worth applying for membership to get on to the list. www.rwbc.org.uk On the other hand, if you have access to a car, you might want to consider mooring in the heart of the canal system. We moor a couple of hours by car away from home, (think how far you travel by boat in 2 hours), this gives us access to a variety of routes from the marina which we have never tired of, and which you can (usually) access all year round. The Trent, whilst it is stunning in parts, is not necessarily a year round option. All the best with your hunt for your boat. exciting times.

Don't know the price but according to the website, they provide 'soft white towels' and ghd straighteners! :-)

Hi Junior, We travelled up the North Oxford a fortnight ago and although there are no CRT shower facilities on the stretch between Braunston and Coventry, I understand that the Barley Mow at Newbold offer bathroom hire and laundry facilities for boaters. Not had need to use them myself but there's more information on the website; : www.barleymow-newbold.co.uk

Thanks to all of you for the recommendations, I have spoken to Gareth at Burton and he is able to do the job later this month, before we venture out on to the River Trent.

Many thanks to both of you for your replies, I will look into this further. I am assuming that Geoff Taylor is mobile NB Lola?