AnnC
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Posts posted by AnnC
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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
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On the T&M I can recommend the Ragley Boat Stop (1 mile from Swarkestone). Good moorings and very good, enormous steaks (try their Porterhouse it's superb)
Just to let you know we had a meal at the Ragley Boat Stop it was great good service and great moorings.
You won't find anything just past Thrumpton. Stop 2 miles sooner and go to one of the pubs at the junction there
No moorings on a weekend all taken by weekenders in white boats and that was midday.
I've never stopped at Gunthorpe, but there's a pub with a nice little mooring just below Stoke Bardolph.
Gunthorpe. On a Sat if you are not there by 3.30pm you wont get a moorings, we did manage to get a moorings there and enjoyed a meal at the Tom Browns expensive but well worth the money. enjoyed the surroundings so much we went to Newark and turned around and went back, it was a lot later in the evening and cooked on board I would recommend this mooring, the wild life is a sight to behold
You''ve got time to stop in Newark, there are lots of good places to eat there (or have a huge lunch so you only need a snack in the evening and then you can stop on the peace of beautiful Hazelford Island overnight).
I don't know anything between Holme Lock and the Grantham Canal junction. If you carried on to Nottingham there are lots of places to eat.
There are a couple of pictures of Hazelford and Stoke Bardolph last summer on my website (look half-way down the page)
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
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Thank you Alan and Phylis.
I will report back on your suggestions.
Ann
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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
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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
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BUT before you do anything at all check there's coverage at your mooring...As well as calling 3 and checking with them (you'll probably need a postcode in order to check) - Is there anyone else there with a 3 dongle and phone? Can they get a signal? We can get T Mobile and Vodafone here, but my neighbour just bought a 3 phone and it doesn't work here! That's the bad news, the good news is that coverage just gets better and better. I'm sitting here on my nb listening to an album I've just downloaded.
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
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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
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Hi Ron
Yes we got our letter.
Do you know how it is going to work, the letter didnt really explain.
AnnC
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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
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I have just returned from a week with Classic line based at Barton Turn marina.
The Classic service and staff were excellent as always but there is aproblem with the marina.As a result of vandalism it is impossible to access facilities( Toilets,showers etc) except between the hours of 9am and 5pm.I am sympathetic to their problems but this is scant consolation when returning on a boat which will almost inevitably be outside those hours.As you have to vacate boat by 9.30 am this leaves no time for showers other than cold on board if you have enough water remaining.
For the outlay involved I feel a better service from the marina is a right.
Cheers
Hamish
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
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We are reasonably new to boating and have just purchased a 12v portable television as we are taking the kids with us for 2 weeks in the summer. We were wondering if anyone has any good advice on what type of aerial is best as the aerial on the tv does not get a very good reception
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.
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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
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I would suggest 2 routes, 1. head towards Fradley Junction, then turn left down the Coventry and head for
Fazeley Junc and then HawkesburyJunc.
or 2. Go strait ahead at Fradley and head for Great Haywood and Stone.
As for Pubs I would recommend the "George & Dragon" at Alrewas,
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
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First: You will be on a Shakespere boat, second: If you are a rookie you will be taken through the first lock, and last: as stated it can get quite windy in the marina, but don't worry as you won't be expected to get the boat out of the marina yourselves.
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
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We are 4 Americans (2 couples from late 50s to early 70s) planning a week long trip in mid-March on a narrow boat adventure out of Barton Turns - a first for us all. We'd appreciate any advice! There will be training about the boat before we leave the marina - this trip is through timeshare. Are there any suggested books to read or ways we can get information about possible canal routes? We assume weather will be cold and damp, so we're planning to bring clothes to layer. Thanks!
Hi
We have a time share there and go out the 1st week in April - the boat comes with Nicholson guides and useful tips.
They also take you through a lock (No 10) just outside the marina and spend a good half hour showing you how every thing works on the boat and how to get through locks.
Having gone through the first lock you will be heading towards Burton on Trent where the first available turning point is, going that way you can probably get to River Trent and have a choice of Nottingham or Loughborough, once you get to the wide locks it is heavy going but I loved it. Or you can turn at just before Burton on Trent and head back towards Stoke and take in the Wedgewood factory, we did that our first year out. Our second year we went to Gnosley on the Shropshire Canal, this year we are planning on going along the Coventry Canel and the Atherstone Flight,
Shakespear lines have a web page with everything on it and it is really good, here is the link to Shakespeare lines http://www.timeshareboats.uki.net/location.htm . there is even a guide to the canals you can tour in a week.
Waterscape is another good site to look around, as well as the http://britishwaterways.co.uk site where there is a waterways code of practice which you can download and it gives you all the rules and regs, lock operations ect.
Clothing wise you will need a good water proof jacket and trousers, these help not only with the rain but helps keep the wind out as well, our first year it rain once over night, we had frosts overnight the second year it rained everyday and thats where the waterproofs came into their own, last year was a mix but we enjoyed them all
I know you will have a great time we did our first time out and look forward to our week every year this year is our 4th time the boats are good and the staff at Barton Turns are very good and helpful.
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I always have some instant mash, a tin of stew and tin of peas, it takes 10 mins to prepare and is warming. Stores own brands are cheap and last for a year or so.
or eggs you can make omlettes, scamble eggs.
My fav is onion, bacon and mushrooms (tinned) omlette.
Slice the onion, chop the bacon into smallish bits slice the mushrooms, put into a frypan with a small amount of oil.
While these are browning(cooking) whip a couple of egg whites till they are foamy when the onion bacon and mushrooms have cooked to your liking.
Whisk into the egg whites the yolks and pour over the onion, bacon and mushrooms.
Jiggle the pan around so it gets all mixed up then wait for it to set, over a low heat
Serve hot or cold. fillings can vary choose what you like.
Dont forget to invite me to tea when you do this
AnnC
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A very good place to stop is Shardlow, the atmosphere in that little place is great. I can also advise going into Barton-Under-Needwood and going into the Middle Bell, great food and again a good atmosphere. Watch out for Stenson lock as its one of the deepest on the network and can be quite fierce at times espicially when going up. If you get a heavy period of rain (i hope not) then i'd advise ringing BW and checking the state of the trent as that river can get nasty after a bit of rain. Hope you have a nice holiday!
Thank you James
I will post about our trip when we get back.
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We are travelling from Barton Turn to Nottingham next week.
Is there anything we should know about before we go?
What are the Good Pubs to eat at.
Places not to moor up.
Thanks this site is great
Ann C
We are travelling from Barton Turn to Nottingham next week.
Stourport Ring
in Holidays Afloat
Posted
Thank you for this, we will let you know how we get on
AnnC