john6767

We did most of the Four Counties Ring last July and August and did not find any of the locks particularly busy, but I would agree that Tyrley and the Middlewich branch were probably the one were we had to wait at all. The Junction at Middlewich was a bit chaotic, we did not have to wait (clockwise) but there a lot of boats coming the other way from both directions and nowhere for them to wait so it was interesting. There are no opening hours on the locks, but Harecastle tunnel does have opening hours so you need to time arrival there correctly.

Was bad 15 mins ago, ok now perhaps everyone has gone to watch Big Brother Spoke too soon got one when I posted!

We have just 2 x 110 batteries and don't have a problem, but we don't often use the inverter, the fridge and TV are 12v and most phone/laptop charging is via 12v to USB. You don't say what type of lights you have, I recently changed ours to LED and that has made a big difference, and in October you are going to be having the lights on quite a bit.

We went North to South last summer, 33 mins, but we had to slow for a boat ahead, so I think 30 mins would be about right as for us an am unimpeded run. The tunnel keeper told us not to hang about, I suspect too many go slowly and end up bouncing off the walls, we did not touch the sides once. A quick calculation says that at 4mph it would take 23 mins to get through.

It really depends on what you mean by a "rush", I think getting where you need to be at a reasonable speed for the conditions is perfectly acceptable, and we do that. Behaving as you describe in the OP is not acceptable though. If you were doing 3/4 mph, then you were going fast in my mind for most canal conditions, and overtaking should only be done where there is plenty of space and good visibility, as even when one boat is very slow it take a surprising amount of time to pass someone, unless they actually stop to let you past of course. Agreed. Yesterday we caught up with a hire boat between Norton Junction and Braunston tunnel, he was American (we passed pleasantries when he has past us moored up 30 earlier) and he and his wife were enjoying the good views of the English countryside, and were pootling along on tickover, which is absolutely fine. What was concerning me was if I stayed behind would he go through Braunston Tunnel on tickover, as I didn't fancy that. So I closed up on him and he waved me past on what is a straight and exceptionally wide part of canal. To me that was a good reason to want to overtake someone, perhaps others would not agree though.

I can confirm that, when we went through at the end of June the ducks were walking around in the other arches there is little water going through then at normal (well low really) levels. We also went through at Easter a couple of years ago, and down stream it was quite "exciting"!

We came through Foxton yesterday and I must say the new signs make the place look really tacky, I hope that was the intention. Anyway what I found interesting was that on the 2 days free mooring below the locks there were 4 (yes four) CRT work boats moored, taking up something like half the 2 day space, which was full. So this was late Saturday afternoon, and of course I don't know when they were moored there, but at a guess you would say Friday afternoon, and that they will be there until Monday morning, so by my reckoning that is £100 of mooring charges that is owed. I do hope we can have the assurances of the CRT managers on here that the stuff responsible will be personally paying the charges, and that you will chase them through the courts if needed as you want to do with you customers.

There are rules that anglers should be following anyway http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/features/guidelines-for-fishing-along-canals-and-rivers so there is no excuse for some of the stuff you see. They are not all bad though, one happily move so we could moor at Kilby Bridge on Friday night.

Just realised I forgot to say, I hope he is ok, if was a tongue in cheek comment which would have had a smiley had I not been posting in a phone. On topic, our boat is very not shiny. But we have just been talking about getting it painted after next years BCN Challenge, not sure how I will cope with a shiny boat though.

Just realised we passed you a couple of hours ago, you were tinkering with something at the back of the boat! Sorry can't help with the wifi.

Football's for sissy's get him playing a proper game like rugby, then you will get on first name terms with the staff at A&E.

We came past there yesterday and I wondered if there was something happening with the "tent". Good luck with the event.

When we were at Droitwich Spa Marina in June, I noticed that the motor Oak was moored there.

Well if it didn't close I am glad to say I didn't notice, slept fine!

We are above Kegworth deep lock tonight, heading South. Getting to be quite an expert on aircraft types, what time does East Midlands close, please can it be soon.

Fat fingers on phone edit...

Of course I meant Avon Navigation not CRT, too much beer...

We were given a leaflet by the lock keeper at Tewksbury that shows them, I guess Stratford should have given you one. I can't find it now though but there is CRT elsan in Evesham I believe. There is a new one in Pershore by the water point at the park.

Today we came from the Trent & Mersey onto the Soar. The level on the Trent there is way below the green.

I drove past the Bridge yesterday, and commented that it looked open.

I know you say that you want to avoid the river, but it is only £6 (payable at the boat in Bancroft Basin) to go down to moor, it is simple and there is lots of space along the park. So it is always an option so you don't need to worry about the basin being full, but I bet there is space in the basin.

I would have said that for a non-competitive cruise that Anglesey to Ocker Hill would be a good run. The VM is in with the long term moorings that you will find under a very small bridge to the right about 100yds after you have turned left on to the Walsall from the Tame Valley. There are services at the junction in the Office block that was once BW's, Elsan/Rubish/Water/Pumpout, but you would need a very long hose for the water. If you need water then Longwood at the top of Rushall in best (Elsan and Rubish there too). Watch your speed down the Tame Valley since it was dredged it is as fast as the Main Line, and it is sooooo booring . I always enjoy the Aqueduct over the M5 though, and if you need to it is a good place to clear the prop. So after this comprehensive exploration of the BCN you will be up the the BCN Challenge next year Alan?

If you mean table lamps, you can convert to 12v easily using LEDs.

The boom was there earlier this year, not sure if it is keeping the weed out or the rubbish in though. No boats there during a 60 second visit on the Sunday morning of the BCN Challenge Looks much better now that the buildings round the basin are complete.

I think different hire companies have very different attitudes in this area. Willow Wren seems to be particularly relaxed about it, from their web site their T's&C's