bigwood

We are doing the Four Counties starting from Gailey next Saturday. We had a long think about routes this time having done an end to end ten day trip a few years ago. Anti clockwise suites us better due to early drop off on the last day. Our last lock will be Autherly Stop Lock. From what people have said approaching Harecastle from the south after overnighting at Westport Lake may be a good move. We have two weeks so dependant on time we may divert up to Congleton. We have the Viking Afloat boat Ivarr booked. We will be making best use of the pubs this time so a shared drink exchanged for travel stories will be welcome.

Slightly off subject but the pictures of Hack Green reminded me that there is a similar bunker at Acomb on the outskirts of York. It is run by English Heritage. Worth a look but be warned they do shut the doors on you as you go in and it can make you feel a little jittery . We sometimes go back to Saddleworth and walk up to Standage. The Narrow is never busy when we go. Having seen it unused then the locks filled in, then all the work to re-open it. Is it Standage that puts people off taking the Rochdale as an easier route east. Our itinary for our holiday seems to be containing a lot of locks and pubs but last time management said you steer I will do locks so this should be fun.

Thanks folks. I have marked all the recommended pubs in the book and found lots of things to do so far. All we have to do now is get management fit for lock work !!. I have told her she cant stop in flights, all she said was make sure there is a pub after each flight.

After a lot of thinking we have decided to have another holiday afloat. We travelled from Anderton to Chester and back last time to try out narrow boating and enjoyed it. With all good intentions we have not managed to get back on the water until now. One retirement and one semi retirement gives us more time now. We always said we would do one of the rings next so as we have the Four Counties Book and the Lockmaster map that's the plan for next June. We managed to get discounts on a boat based at Gailey so that will be our start point taking the ring anti-clockwise. As we have the boat for a fortnight and don't intend rushing we are thinking of stops on route. We may make a slight deviation on to the Macclesfeild for a day. Any ideas for an overnight stop or turn at lunch time?. Harecastle tunnel gives me the jitters just reading about it but I have time to get myself ready for that. Living near the Huddersfeild Narrow I remember Standage re-opening and seeing the terrified looks on peoples faces as they came out of the Diggle portal. Not for the faint hearted I suppose. Any thoughts much appreciated thanks.

Thanks mate, I had a look this afternoon. Unfotunatly there base is a bit too far for us to do Chester and back in ten days. We will probly stick to our origional choice, we like the looks of the route and it is not too far to get to the start at Anderton.

We havn,t booked anything yet, problems with my wife booking her holidays due to Xmas shut downs in the admin department. AngloWelsh have sent me a cheaper quote for the same holiday so we may be starting from Bunbury now. I supose we could do Chester or Llangollen from there. Stuck for choice and a bit wary when you get a cheap offer, no dout the offer is genuine but I wonder why they are cheaper than other hirers. Any thoughts would be apreciated.

My Nicholson guide book arived today, happy christmas to me. It looks a good choice for where we are intending to go. It has brought up a little nigle in my mind regarding choice of start point. I have heard that some hire companys show you through youre first lock, some send you a DVD to show you how to tackle locks. The first lock is quite a way from Anderton heading south, Midlewich Big Lock, so I think we will be doing the DVD instead of hands on.We have both seen locks in use and have a rough idea of things , but if we do hold any one up dont shout too loud please.

Thanks I found one on Amazon cheaper than Tescos, I have the Yorkshire tradition of long pockets short arms to keep up. Book on order so I supose we have no exsuse not to go now.

Thanks folks I am getting quite good feelings about this holiday. As soon as the missus sorts her holidays out we are booking it, hopefully next week. Sort of a Christmas pressy to us. Considering our planned route which guide books do you people in the know recomend. The nicholson Four Counties & Welsh Canals seems to cover our route but seems a little expensive. I think the pearson Welsh waters is recomended by the hire people, I didnt think we were going over the border. Any sugestions would be much apreciated. Before I forget , MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL YOU CANAL PEOPLE OUT THERE.

I have already started this subject when I introduced myself yesterday but incase it gets missed I will put my ideas in this section as well. We are planning a boating holiday next year, Anderton to Chester and back early May. After advise from other forum users I have found the canal plan web site and I think this route is feasable in the ten days we have alocated. I know how far I can walk in a day, and its about the same speed but you dont have to do many lock drills on my walks. We are thinking of using" UK Boat Hire". There location at Anderton and the discounts look quite apealing so far. I am shure there must be horror stories about every hire company but I hope not too many with these people. As I mentioned earlier I was brough up on the banks of the Huddersfield Narrow, Upermill. I would recomend you stop off there if going up the canal. There is a basin at the back of the museum just off high st. The shops pubs ect are within site of the museum. Be warned Whit Friday is Band Contest day. Not to be missed but it is a very bussy day and you usualy have to que to get in the pubs. Looking foward to coments or sugestions,