good7saint

Rather proud of my first attempt at reversing, when I took Warwick back to Sowerby Bridge last week. Reversed straight into the place I wanted to get the boat at the first attempt without any problems, even got a comment of good job from one of the people working for Shire Cruisers

You lucky lucky thing. I've been back a week, no more boating untill next October

For what it's worth here's my take on it as I do boating and fishing, although the only canal I have fished is the Sankey canal (no boats) Have never had a problem with anglers tbh, only been back a week from my last boating trip and had no problems at all with anglers came across a few said good day to all and got a polite answer back from most.Moored for the night on the last day of the holiday a man came along the tow path with a clip board turned out he was looking for where to put pegs for a fishing match the following Sunday, he asked me would I still be moored there then so he knew where not to put a peg I said no. We then had a pleasant conversation which finished with me wishing him well for his match

I'm not in a position to think about buying a boat yet so don't know much about the process. But you have just said exactly what I was thinking

I've come down the 4th lock on the Black Delth Junction flight on Dudley canal backwards 2 years ago, why ? because there was not enough water in the next pond to fill the lock, never noticed before going in. Well it had been a long day

Got to be honest though, enjoyed them as hard as they are, love doing locks. So if anyones cruising in the NorthWest and wants a hand locking you know who to ask LOL.

Had considered Alvechurch as a possible tbh

We are starting to plan next years boating trip. Thinking of maybe the Black Country Ring, what we want to know is what hire bases are close to a rail or coach station for doing this trip. We don't drive so will be relying on public transport and after our problems getting to Stoke Prior a couple of years ago when we did the Stourport Ring we want to check on transport links before booking

Same thing happened to us on the Rochdale. Where planning on heading towards Leeds, but where advised by the people at shire cruisers that due to all the rain with more forecast for the next day that it would be better to go up the Rochdale. Within 5 minutes of coming out of the tuel lock the heavens opened. Got up Sunday morning ready for another wet day but ended up with a bautiful week, but oh those locks on the Rochdale BW really need to get their act together. Those not vandalised where poorly maintained between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, gave up at Todmorden and went down to Brighouse instead

Main reason I suggested the stourport ring is it allows for late starts and lay ins. Will probably be putting our trip around the stourport ring in the cruise dairy section sometime in the next couple of days so that might help

Can't speak for the base at Chirk, but we have hired twice with Black prince now.Once from Stoke Prior on the Worcester and Birmingham and once from their base at Bartington Wharfe on the TM. Fully agree with your comments about the boats.

Could try the Stourport ring, we managed it comfortably with just the 2 of us. Cruising between 5 and 7 hours a day. Started from Stoke prior 2pm on the Saturday and was back by 3pm the following Friday. And that was with a break down on the Severn as well. Plenty of locks for the kids to. That was going by way of the Netherton tunnel

Yeah we decided the same thing last year. After the hectic rush to get around the stourport ring the year before. Last year we just took our time and had a relaxing holiday

Sitting watching water world on sky one evening I spoke the immortal words to the wife. Should we give a canal holiday a try, this is the story of that first ever canal holiday. Day 1 Saturday 1 October 2005 Left Liverpool at 11am arriving at Sowerby Bridge at 1241 leaving us with time to do some shopping and to have a look around before picking the boat up. We eventually made our way to the boat yard and after a very good training session we set off on Devon with a member of Shire Cruisers staff accompanying us to the first couple of locks. All went well and we where eventually allowed to go off on our own after the deep lock. As I still needed to get some confidence handling the boat plus the canal being pretty shallow in this section it took us 2 hours to get to the next lock at Brearley where we stopped for the night. Day 2 Sunday 2 October 2005 This turned out to be the most eventful day of the holiday and very nearly brought the whole holiday to an early end. We set out at about 810am and all went well reaching Hebden Bridge in good time where we decided to fill the water tanks. The problem being another Shire boat Cambridge was already there and being a novice I panicked trying to get in. The couple from Cambridge shouted for us to throw them a rope to pull us in which Rose did from the bow without any problems. Mean while I had but the gears into neutral which was a good thing given what happened next. As I threw the rope from the stern I slipped on the wet deck and went flying off the boat after the rope. I am not a strong swimmer and panicked in the water, but eventually managed to get my feet onto the bottom of the canal and stand up but could not climb out so the man from Cambridge had to get into the canal and help me (if he is reading this thank you). Anyway after I was out we filled up with water and moored at the visitor mooring while I had a shower. After my shower we set off again arriving at Todmorden as it was getting dark. Day 3 Monday 3 October 2005 I was still a bit shaken after falling in and was considering abandoning the holiday but we decided to carry on. But we also decided we would turn around and head for the Calder and Hebble. So after winding we headed back towards Hebden bridge sharing locks with another boat untill lunch time. Arrived back at Hebden Bridge at 4pm and filled with water again this time without incident, then moving over to the visitor moorings for the night. Day 4 Tuesday 4 October 2005 After having a walk around Hebden Bridge and doing some shopping we got back to the boat, we had some lunch and as and started off mooring at Brearley again. Day 5 Wednesday 5 October 2005 Had a lay in and started off at around 1030am, just took it slow arriving at Sowerby Bridge at about 12. Carried on down the Calder and Hebble deciding to stop for a break half way between Sowerby and Salterhebble deciding to go for a little walk. When we get back to the boat I try to start the engine and it will not start, so call Shire and they send out an engineer who sorts out the problem for us. By now it is 3pm so we decide to stay where we are for the night. Day 6 Thursday 6 October 2005 This was a rather uneventful day started for Salterhebble about 11 took on water and winded. The only event of note was we help a woman from a residential boat pull a log from the canal at the Salterhwbble top lock. Moored at the same place as the night before. Day 7 Friday 7 October 2005 Stayed moored untill late afternoon and took a leisurely cruise back to the boat yard arriving back about 330pm where we moored and spent the last night in a local pub watching the super league semi final between Saints and Bradford, which spoilt the last night as Bradford won. Day 8 Saturday 8 October 2005 8am leave the boat and head for the station, and home. This was not the end but the beginning, the beginning of our love affair with boating To be continued

Or you could try the Stourport ring. Plenty of locks to keep you active and plenty of pubs

Winded just before the locks at Middlewich when we did this section. Loved it though. Well worth going on this section of the Trent & Mersey just to see the Anderton boat lift, that was the highlight of our holiday last year. Those tunnels are a bit hairy though. Oh and if you are ever up that way and want a nice quit place to moor and are not to bothered about pubs, try between bridges 176 and 177

We started out with the intention of doing the Cheshire Ring last year, but changed our minds and just went up towards Wigan instead. Had no problems at all in Manchester, but we did not stay in Manchester, fully intended to on the way back, but arrived there at 11am so just kept going.

Would agree about wolverley.. When we did it, it was our first time on a river as well, it is not scary at all we enjoyed it in fact

Got to be honest, I don't book my canal holiday by the cost of the boat. Book it by where I want to see. Would rather be standing at the tiller of a boat cruising a canal than be sitting on a beach bored out of my mind.

Never been on the G U but this may help about when.We normally go the first week in October as schools are back so usually get better hire prices, also fewer boats about.Of the 3 holidays we have had at this time of year we have had one week of rain.The other 2 holidays where dry most of the time with the odd 1/2 hour of rain.Does get dark early tough and can get cold at night, but the central heating systems have always been up to the job on the hire boats we have used, Black Prince twice (but we did find them exspensive) and Shire Cruisers once, will be twice when we go with them next year.Good cruising when ever you go Never been on the G U but this may help about when.We normally go the first week in October as schools are back so usually get better hire prices, also fewer boats about.Of the 3 holidays we have had at this time of year we have had one week of rain.The other 2 holidays where dry most of the time with the odd 1/2 hour of rain.Does get dark early tough and can get cold at night, but the central heating systems have always been up to the job on the hire boats we have used, Black Prince twice (but we did find them exspensive) and Shire Cruisers once, will be twice when we go with them next year.Good cruising when ever you go Never been on the G U but this may help about when.We normally go the first week in October as schools are back so usually get better hire prices, also fewer boats about.Of the 3 holidays we have had at this time of year we have had one week of rain.The other 2 holidays where dry most of the time with the odd 1/2 hour of rain.Does get dark early tough and can get cold at night, but the central heating systems have always been up to the job on the hire boats we have used, Black Prince twice (but we did find them exspensive) and Shire Cruisers once, will be twice when we go with them next year.Good cruising when ever you go

Never been on the G U but this may help about when. We normally go the first week in October as schools are back so usually get better hire prices, also fewer boats about. Of the 3 holidays we have had at this time of year we have had one week of rain. The other 2 holidays where dry most of the time with the odd 1/2 hour of rain. Does get dark early tough and can get cold at night, but the central heating systems have always been up to the job on the hire boats we have used, Black Prince twice (but we did find them exspensive) and Shire Cruisers once, will be twice when we go with them next year. Good cruising when ever you go

Thanks for that pretty much covers everything we needed to know. And I will mail you nearer the time Richard as that was going to be the next question I asked, places to moor and pubs

We have a boat booked from Sowerby Bridge next year with a 2 man crew (2nd week in October) planning on going CH as we went up the Rochdale last time we went from there. What we really want is some ideas where to head for, mainly for good scenery, not bothered about how many locks as we enjoy them as part of the holiday. We are experienced boaters now so know what we are doing. Had toyed with the idea of heading to Bingley and back, would this be achievable for 2 in a week that time of year. Other idea we are thinking of are heading for Huddersfield. but ideally would like a route that visits Leeds as I have friends there. Would be grateful for any suggestions. And a merry Christmas and happy new year to everyone on the forum