AnnC

Thank you for this, we will let you know how we get on AnnC

We are doing part of the Stourport Ring from Willington via Great Haywood, Autherley Junction, Kiddeminster, Worcester, Birmingham and Fradley. The problem is having spent the day on Tardebigge Locks and overnight in the Tardebigge Wharf / Alvchurch area, it is only a few hours run the next day to Birmingham Gas Street area. From Gas Street we are planning on stopping in the Minworth/Curdsworth area. To avoid the short day is there any places around Aston or Salford Junctions or Bromford which you could recommend as a safe overnight stop. This would then allow us to get to Hopwas rather then Minworth Curdsworth the next day. This will save us a half day and the journey back to Willington more relaxed. Thanks for any help Ann

We had a great week the weather was good. I am doing a cruise diary which I will post later Thanks for the advise Ann

Thank you Alan and Phylis. I will report back on your suggestions. Ann

Hi all We are off on our travels again 6 days from Mrecia Marina to Newark here is the canal route plan Thursday the 2nd of April, 2009 [First day of trip] On the Trent and Mersey Canal (Main Line - Derwent Mouth to Burton) at Swarkestone Lock Bridge No 14 Friday the 3rd of April, 2009 [second day of trip] On the River Trent (Western End), just past Thrumpton Saturday the 4th of April, 2009 [Third day of trip] On the River Trent (non-tidal section) at Gunthorpe Bridge Sunday the 5th of April, 2009 [Fourth day of trip] On the River Trent (non-tidal section) at Fiskerton (having turned at Newark Town Lock No 9) Monday the 6th of April, 2009 [Fifth day of trip] On the River Trent (non-tidal section), two thirds of the way between Holme Lock No 5 and Grantham Canal Junction Tuesday the 7th of April, 2009 [sixth day of trip] On the River Trent (Western End) at Sawley Flood Lock No 1 Wednesday the 8th of April, 2009 [seventh day of trip] On the Trent and Mersey Canal (Main Line - Derwent Mouth to Burton) at Willington Winding Hole Looking in Pearsons and the itinery + there isnt many stops near pubs for food Any suggestions on where to stop for good food I dont want to spend the hols cooking thanks in advance

Hi Why not aim for a relaxing holiday, we have beeen doing trips out of Barton for years and always stop the first night at Alrewas, 2 locks and lots of nice scenery. A choice of good pubs for food and it will give you a chance to make sure all the things that kids want (Puters and games are working). You could make it to Harecastle Tunnel stop at Kidsgrove to turn around and do the tunnel again. How spooky is that for them! There is good mooring at West Lake just before the tunnel we saw loads of families there in March. There is lots the kids will love along the T&M, Stoke is a built up area, Stone is a great stop over things for all the family, Great Haywood has loads to see and do, Rugley for shopping. By turning round you get to see the things you didnt see coming back. Plenty of locks everyone is different and there is plenty of towpath walking between them. Enjoy your hol and take it easy so they will come back like you did Ann

Lady Muck We have a 3 USB modem dongle used it every day of our 2 week holiday, it was brilliant we did the Four counties anti-clockwise and there was only two places which didnt give a good signal, Goldstone Warf and Barbridge, we were able to get on to most things, and check our email. I checked the ring out on the 3 website, before we left and where it says is patchy it was. We used the Pay As You Go deal as we do a lot of web stuff and surfing we opted for the 7GB option at £25 which has to be used in a month, we could of got away with a cheaper option we will know for next time. We also used an USB extension so we could hang the dongle by the window to get a better signal. We are pleased with it, so thank you to everyone who put comments on another thread about Tmobil and 3. 3 at the time were the only ones offering PAYG Ann

Hi We are doing the Four Counties anticlockwise finishing the day before you start. We have rented an extra week, and will be on King Lear, for two whole weeks. We decided to do the Ring anti clockwise so all the hardwork is done in the first week the second will be more leisurely. Canal World stickers are ready for their first outing, if anyone sees us please say Hello and wave. We wont be around to see you guys, hope you have a good trip. Ann

Hi Ron Yes we got our letter. Do you know how it is going to work, the letter didnt really explain. AnnC