Amber34

We've just bought our boat from Ashby - didn't pay quite that much for it though

How many boats generally take part in this event? We pick up our boat at the end of the month and are keen to take part. Will be pouring over the previous years threads in the hope of picking up some tips for newbies

Brilliant ideas and advice, thank you all. I had never heard of ABNB, and the tips for marinas en route are a great starting point. We intend to look online to find out if they are selling anything we are interested in rather than turn up just for a browse. We have been looking online for a long time and hired many boats, but this will be the first time physically looking at boats for sale. Him with the wallet has ideas about what he wants and has now reached the stage we need to start 'looking to buy' to narrow down our likes and dislikes. Thanks again

Him who holds the wallet has seen a boat he rather likes the look of at Devizes Marina, so we're off for a look on Saturday. Are there other marinas with boat sales within reasonable distance of Devizes? We'll be heading round the M25 and down the M4 from SE London so anything en route or beyond would be good. I have spotted a boat that might be worth a look at Saul Junction Marina, but struggling to find other options. TIA

We hired from Spencer and Victoria last year - lovely little boat, well maintained, very reasonable prices and pretty much in the area you are looking for. Unsure about the availibility though. http://www.ukboatyard.com/index.php/boat-hire-video/short-break-hire

Haha, we've already come across the enigmatic Isabella from Ellon, advertising on Loot, and sussed 'her' out fairly sharpish. I have since managed to get hold of the person who advertised the boat and he sounded neither female nor Scottish, and did not have an accent that hinted he came from any country infamous for interwebz scams. However, he has informed me the boat has sold. Ah well, will keep on looking. Thanks for the warning though.

I quite agree, and we wouldn't consider buying without looking at a fair few, although our budget is fairly limited, which of course, limits our choice. My concern is falling for something which is inherently a bad buy due to the maker, engine, etc. which is why I thought I'd ask here first

After years of throwing our money away on hiring, we have decided to throw it into a boat purchase instead. I have rather fallen for this boat - not sure why though, although rather like the layout. I would be grateful if anyone fancies sharing their views on it as a viable purchase. http://narrowboats.apolloduck.co.uk/feature.phtml?id=376856 Thanks

We use a Red Top or Buzz fly trap in the garden (we have more than our fair share of chicken poop which attracts them) Not sure how it would work when you are cruising, but for when you're moored up, hang it in the sunshine on a tree or fence a little distance from the boat/house and they can't resist getting themselves trapped in there. WARNING: It stinks, so don't squidge it to see how many there are while peering in the top. I speak from experience.

Beware if you have cats - lilies are highly toxic to moggies if they start nibbling the leaves.

I'm a bit late, but we followed very similar stops to those listed, although spent one evening at Braunston and wandered up the pretty town. Really good route but hard work for the first few days. We picked our boat up early from Kate Boats, the downside of which was that we travelled solo up the Hatton flight, which would have been easier in a pair and the time it took us (crew of myself, partner and work-shy 11 year old) probably counteracted getting the early start.

It was definitely indicating a manoeuvre but not sure it was related to boating ETA: the wave would have indicated just one boat

We encountered this pair of hotel boats trying to reverse into the Saltisford Arm just as we came down from Warwick, under the bridge. He shouted at us to wait, which we did, but as the OH was trying to hold the boat still in the centre of the canal we started to drift into the trees to the left. OH corrected this and moved the boat forward, eliciting a string of abuse and swear words from the good reverend about how we were putting him under pressure and he had already told us to "Just b***** wait" OH kindly returned the favour by suggesting chill pills, smiles and other such calming terms. From the response, this advice wasn't really appreciated and the reverend's parting wave didn't appear as friendly as ours

We are only hirers (you know, the ones that constantly speed along the cut ) so nowhere near as experienced as some of the old hands who post on here, but during our most recent jaunt found the volunteers to be really helpful and perfectly pleasant. At Braunston we encountered two volunteers to help us through the first two locks. Due to navigator error (that'll be me then), we missed the opportunity to wind and asked the lockie at the second lock whether he had any recommendations. Without boring you with details, he guided and physically helped us to wind at a convenient point before sending us on our way. He has been a canal boater for 35 years and we gladly accepted his knowledge and experience. I didn't think to ask if he had been trained We also encountered several vols at Hillmorton who were ensuring the parallel locks (is that what you call them?) were working to great efficiency, helping all boaters with the locks whenever they could and generally chatting and sharing their knowledge about the cut. All in all, it was lovely to get a hand, learn a bit of history and have a chin wag with experienced and enthusiastic canal boaters who were kind enough not to complain and moan about any of the folk they had helped.

Thanks for your advice, but we were a bit swayed by another boater. As we came up the Hatton flight on Saturday a chap coming down advised us to moor at Catherine De Baines overnight and get an early start to avoid being pelted with stones by the youths! There was no way we would have made that mooring by the evening, so headed up the Stratford and very pleased we did. Moored at the bottom of Lapworth and enjoyed turbot at The Boot, stopped at The Bluebell cider house for a couple at lunchtime on Sunday, which led to some impromptu afternoon napping, then moored at Gas Street Basin last night, although we were all a bit too shattered to enjoy it! We came down Farmer's Bridge in the off and on showers this morning but had brilliant assistance from a chap who was kindly working the locks with me. We were expecting to see a lock keeper there, but this guy was not dressed as though lock keeping (smart shirt and dress shoes)although had his own windlass and pointed out the C&RT chief executive after they had stopped for a chat. We also met a chap at Cambrian wharf who was bringing back his ebay purchase (nb: Time Traveller) from Bath to Chester - looked like he got himself a bargain! The canals have been remarkably quiet and once the sun came out again, we had a lovely afternoon cruising, not passing a boat for over three hours. Currently moored at the Dog and Doublet at Bodymoor Heath, but too full of dinner to venture out for a pint. Fingers crossed for lovely weather tomorrow.

We are leaving from Warwick tomorrow, early boat pick up, and heading clockwise. All the while I couldn't get CanalPlan to work for me I was thinking of going straight up the GU through Solihull. Today it is working again and the suggested route is to take the Stratford then W&B canal (I just clicked 'Warwickshire ring'). I realise there are a lot more locks if we take the Stratford route, but does it have any other advantages over going through Solihull? We have been to Gas Street Basin a few times (and really enjoy it there) so that is definitely one advantage, but any other thoughts please? Thanks

Fabulous, that is just the sort of advice I wanted - especially on the watering holes!

We're leaving from Tattenhall tomorrow and still have no idea where we're going to go. I'm considering the four counties, but is one direction better than the other? We have a 'hire boat' week, so 6 and a smidge days in reality. Thanks

We were along that way a few weeks back and had a really good meal at The Coopers Arms, Weston. Really interesting building and lovely grounds and lake, around a 10 minute stroll from the canal. The food is more restaurant than pub, but the carvery is really good.

Well, despite our decision to take the Soar, the hire company were not having it as the rain had caused the river to rise and they were concerned that any more rain could mean we wouldn't get back in time, so we set off up the T & M. We stocked up on bread at 30p a loaf at Aldi in Rugeley and our 9 year old was rationed to 2 loaves a day for duck feeding - mostly all gone by lunchtime! We passed the Ash Tree just after the thefts and OH was quite proud to be filmed by the local TV crew as we passed under the bridge, although completely forgot to watch TV at 6 pm to see if he was famous! We realised that the map given to us by the hire company wouldn't see us for many days so reverted to the laptop and CanalPlanner and decided to nip off at Great Haywood along the Staff and Worcs. From there our sense of adventure took over and we managed to make it down to the BCN Main line, the Birmingham and Fazeley, back up the Coventry and back along the T&M, reaching Sawley Marina with 15 minutes to spare before our hire period ended!! It was jolly hard work but we managed to stop off each day for a lunchtime drink and a meal in the evening. I just need a week off now to get over the 115 locks! Spotted this (just in time) at Minworth, under the bridge just above the top lock.