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

Only four weeks to go till our yearly canal boat holiday, this year we are planning on going as far as Froghall from Barton Turns. We are looking forward to it and I am hoping to meet a few of you on the way, so who will be in the area or on the Trent and Mersey in four weeks. After Stoke is there anything we should be aware of, we have only got as far as there in the past. Look forward to seeing a few folks this year. Ann

Hamish On our week at Classic Line at Barton Turn Marina. One of the keys we had was to the the facillities, so we could use them on our return to the marina. Gemma made sure we knew which key was for what, this enabled us to get our car out and go out for the evening. The Gates are padlocked and my understanding is the same key also fits the shower block and the toilets. The check out time is 9.30, but on 2 occasions we have not been able to moor up and have had to wait till space was available to unload the boat well after 10.30. The staff are aware of this and there is no pressure on you to keep to that time. They do get the boats moved as soon as possible, and on both occasions we made sure we had water to shower ect, and you can run the engine to get hot water which we do anyway even if we are in a suitable mooring. They have had to make a lot of changes over the years, and all though I may disagree with some of them. It is because of inconsiderate people who go out of their way to spoil things for the rest of us. Ann

We have got a caravan arial it worked great for our week, in a poor reception area, it sticks to the windows so you have to take it down before going to bed. They are very cheap, and you can point them in the right direction with out to much trouble.

Jon I think this site is great. Could you think about a chat room, I would certainly pay towards an enhanced membership. I get so much out of this site it would be like putting something back in. Ann

Our first time out from there. on Orphilia our time share boat. We went through the first lock(no10) where they show you how to steer and do the locks, you will be heading towards Burton on Trent. The first turning point is by the Brewery well worth a visit, and half way from Barton to Burton is a canal side Pub which is all Italian, the food is out of this world all home cooked the puddings are to die for. Overnight moorings and a park to wonder around. We turned at the Brewery and headed for Stone, the Locks are all very easy on that part gets you into the swing of things for the rest of the Trent and Mersey, we should have stopped at Fradley the next night but went on to Rugley, and moored overnight there, did some shopping at the big super store before going on. there is a great pub at Western big steaks and good vegie menus. we got as far as Stoke that time and on the way back did a tour of the Wedgewood Factory that is a must! again overnight moorings and a good pub. When we go out we pick a route and after three days look for a turning point and plan to turn at midday, (3 and a half days)this allows us plenty of time to get back the night before and moor up at the canal side of the marina. some good pubs in the area or you can cook up all the left overs and drink all the booze before heading home. The combination of the rural and built up areas are great, and you will see so much wildlife you will think you are in a zoo or wildlife park. Over three years we have managed the Shroppie to Gnosly and got as far Loughbough. This year we hope to do the Coventry Canel and see the areas I grew up in before we went south and overseas, and do the Atherstone Flight. The Pubs are all true old English pubs and the food is good. I cant fault any of them. We will be calling at the George and Dragon this year. AnnC

Jolly Roger is right Shakespere's policy has always been they take you out of the marina and get you going in the right direction, before they leave you. since last year you cannot even load the boat in the moorings, it is all done on the canal side. This is a health and saftey issue some one fell in the water and sued, which now means the rest of us have to wait our turn before we can load up and set off. You will have a great time dont forget to post everything after the trip. AnnC