classicstove

Earlier in the year I spent some 5 weeks travelling to/from Birmingham to all points in the Fens Generally, I managed to get a signal inside the cabin most nights and if not then by sitting outside the boat (no mooring in any cuttings as usual) The suggestion of a USB extension is good but would add that a better way may be to invest in a booster aerial

Graham Many thanks for mentioning canalandriversidepubs.co.uk - my website With feedback, I hope to grow this to be the most current picture of pubs across navigations If you find any chnages to the guide, please e-mail me and I will update for the benefit of all John

Came down Knowle locks earlier this week (same pound as top of Hatton Locks) and the pound was about 6 inches down The Southern Stratford has only a feed from Kingswood Junction and it is normally has good levels all the way to Preston Bagot. The long pound here and that between Bearley Lock and the top of Wilmcote, does go down during the summer Levels can change when someone leaves a paddle up..................................

Rachel I spent many years working for Royal Mail and think this is incorrect information you have been provided.It is not a service provided by Royal Mail - POst Office Ltd are the providers The Poste Restante service is still active: not all Post Offices will accept items as either they do not have the space or choose not to. It is always better to ring the office and ask the question I am still using the Poste Restante facility as part of my business and none of my (substantial number) of customers, have said that it has been stopped Two links that night help: Finding a location of a Post Office: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/finder?catId=20700386&pageId=ftn_finder_po_postoffice and the Poste Restante Service: http://www2.postoffice.co.uk/letters-parcels/receiving-letters-parcels/redirection-options/poste-restante

Tom o The Wood has been open since May in its current reincarnation and has a selection of 3 real ales normally available and has a good selection of traditional pub grub on ofer From Lapworth, its 15 mins by boat from Kingswood Jct but can also be reached by walking down the South Stratford and up the lane by Dicks Lane Lock

Received from the Startford and Warwick Waterways Trust: << The Red House is the furthest point upstream where a 67' boat can be winded successfully. It is some 2 miles upstream from Stratford (Bancroft / The Theatre). It is a sharp left-hand bend marked on OS maps as 'Avoncliffe', its Grid Ref is 226562. In the River Avon Guide - published by ANT (The Avon Navigation Trust) it is marked as: Avoncliffe Red House, Safe Limit of Navigation GR226562. The Guide is well worth buying (not least for the rest of the Avon - for which it is easily the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide). It can be obtained either from the ANT Information Boat 'William James' - moored adjacent to the River Lock in Bancroft Basin, or from the Lock-keeper at Tewkesbury - (depending on whether your 'Ring Trip' is either clockwise or anti-clockwise. Alternatively it can be purchased in advance from 'ANT' < www.avonnavigationtrust.org > >>

Stratford has unrestricted street parking providing you are prepared to walk for nearly a mile. Closer to the town you are either in bays with a 2 hour restriction or paying in an expensive car park Stratford Town moorings are either in the canal basin outside the Royal Shakespeare Theatre which is a short walk to all the shops or between the basin and the first lock behind The Red Lion which is on the inner ring road The Red Lion is a Whitbread Table Table pub and serves a 'and chips' menu but can be seen as good value for money You could also moor above Birmingham Road lock (the fist of the last into the town) or stop at Wilmcote and save yourself 4/5 hours of quite hard work and get the regular train servcie into Stratford. Wilmcote has unregulated parking

The Middle Level Commissioners produce a very good leaflet that shows all that is navigable and the bridge heights I'm sure if you gave them a ring they would sent you a copy or both Salters Lode and Stanground Sluice have them to give boats passing through

Been back a week now from the River Nene There is a clear channel through the river although some places are already showing severe weed growth and it varies from a channel through a lily pond to passing over substational weed growth (very clear water so you can see whats beneath you) which will cause a problem in the coming weeks EA did have the weed cutter out but when we passed it in the middle of the day, it was tied up !

I purchased a EA licence at Alvechurch Gayton less than two weeks ago They have application forms for you to complete - all you need is the money. They do not need any insurance docs or current BSC You will alos need to buy a EA key (£10) so you can work the powered locks and get access the few water points

I know Midland Chandlers have rolls of the stuff as I purchased some from them recently

BW Licensing ran out of licences to issue so had to use previous years stock !

You can find al the pubs by following the link below including some very good ones in Chester

There must be a local chandlers who either stock it or can order from their wholesalers ?

What about Uplands Marina at Anderton ?

Did you notice the side ponds that would have made it even quicker if they had been working ?

List of pubs below If you find any more, or the info needs updating, please let me know http://www.canalandriversidepubs.co.uk/pubs/K-&-A.htm

List of pubs, on, close to or a short walk away below If you find any more, please capture and I will add to the guide http://www.canalandriversidepubs.co.uk/pubs/Oxford.htm

BCM has a large number of moorings outside of the fence but it is recommended that boats moor inside the museum There are about 3 boat lengths from the locked gate (access can be gained with a BW key to go to the pub) up to the bridge which are generally used as visitor moorings. There are also a couple of lengths on the other side near to the facilities building