I Want To Go!

[saltysplash]

Hi bob,

 

have hired a number of times with both Anglo Welsh and Alvechurch even spending 1 week of a 2 week honeymoon on an Anglo Welsh boat....2nd week spent in a cottage in the Yorkshire Dales.

 

Always found both companies to be very helpfull and friendly so which ever you choose i dont think you would go far wrong.

 

Ive only been down to Stratford once and it was so long ago im afraid i cant help much on what to see, however one of the forum members has her boat near there and would be far more quallified to advise.

 

Have been down to Worcester a few times and it is worth the vist, as for the rivers, Things are a bit hit and miss with high water after a few days of rain but having said that, Ive only been turned away once from entering the river Severn due to flood water...as previously mentiond, The advantage of canals over the rivers is the ability to stop virtually anywhere you desire.

 

Narrowboats are just that. Narrow and there isnt a great deal of privacy on board but then ive also found the same on most vessels inc larger sailing yatchs you do however have the ability to move 50 odd foot away if you want a bit of personal time or even do as i used to and take a stroll along the towpath while the boat and crew chugs on.

 

Being totally pedantic about flags, The boat is obviously British registered and should therefore only fly the Red Ensign between sunrise and sunset and when in view of other vessels, If your going to fly the Stars and Stripes instead then dont forget you will need to fly the Red Ensign curtesy flag as failure would indicate your intentions are warlike and Her Majestys Navy would be complelled to open fire.

 

 

Thankfully there is no Flag ettiquette on the canals so fly what ever you fancy from the tiller

 

 

Have a great time

[Bob on Holiday]

Hi bob,

 

have hired a number of times with both Anglo Welsh and Alvechurch even spending 1 week of a 2 week honeymoon on an Anglo Welsh boat....2nd week spent in a cottage in the Yorkshire Dales.

 

Always found both companies to be very helpfull and friendly so which ever you choose i dont think you would go far wrong.

 

Ive only been down to Stratford once and it was so long ago im afraid i cant help much on what to see, however one of the forum members has her boat near there and would be far more quallified to advise.

 

Have been down to Worcester a few times and it is worth the vist, as for the rivers, Things are a bit hit and miss with high water after a few days of rain but having said that, Ive only been turned away once from entering the river Severn due to flood water...as previously mentiond, The advantage of canals over the rivers is the ability to stop virtually anywhere you desire.

 

Narrowboats are just that. Narrow and there isnt a great deal of privacy on board but then ive also found the same on most vessels inc larger sailing yatchs you do however have the ability to move 50 odd foot away if you want a bit of personal time or even do as i used to and take a stroll along the towpath while the boat and crew chugs on.

 

Being totally pedantic about flags, The boat is obviously British registered and should therefore only fly the Red Ensign between sunrise and sunset and when in view of other vessels, If your going to fly the Stars and Stripes instead then dont forget you will need to fly the Red Ensign curtesy flag as failure would indicate your intentions are warlike and Her Majestys Navy would be complelled to open fire.

Thankfully there is no Flag ettiquette on the canals so fly what ever you fancy from the tiller

Have a great time

 

Thanks for all the good advice. I think we have it narrowed down now to leaving out of Wootoon and taking a few days going north and then a few days down to Stratford upon avon. I think we are going to stay away from the rivers. Just need now to find the right boat for our needs. Looks like Anglo Welsh is going to be our best bet from there. For my own interest when you walk towpath you just slipped off into the woods? Did you take pictures! :-) Are there a lot of people on these towpaths -i read someone where about walking clubs etc.

[Keeping Up]

I think we have it narrowed down now to leaving out of Wootoon and taking a few days going north and then a few days down to Stratford upon avon.

Surely it would be better to go to Stratford first, as you don't know whether you will want to stay there for 3 hours or 3 days, and then to head northwards for as much time as you have available before turning back to W-W

[T.A]

For my own interest when you walk towpath you just slipped off into the woods? Did you take pictures! :-) Are there a lot of people on these towpaths -i read someone where about walking clubs etc.

The towpaths run down the side of the canals and were orignally for the horses to walk and tow the boats, now they are used for walking and cycling, it is along the towpath side of the canal where you can moor. They are narrow paths maintained by British Waterways you remain a few feet from your boat, the crew can come along side and pick you up if they want to!!!

Edited January 22, 2008 by T.A

[Bob on Holiday]

For my own interest when you walk towpath you just slipped off into the woods? Did you take pictures! :-) Are there a lot of people on these towpaths -i read someone where about walking clubs etc. The towpaths run down the side of the canals and were orignally for the horses to walk and tow the boats, now they are used for walking and cycling, it is along the towpath side of the canal where you can moor. They are narrow paths maintained by British Waterways you remain a few feet from your boat, the crew can come along side and pick you up if they want to!!!

The key is "if they want to" I would be afraid if i got off they might not let me back on! :-) How crowded are things in July? I assume it is the prime vacation (holiday) time?

Surely it would be better to go to Stratford first, as you don't know whether you will want to stay there for 3 hours or 3 days, and then to head northwards for as much time as you have available before turning back to W-W

OK- sounds like a plan - now i just need to pick out a boat!

[T.A]

"How crowded are things in July? I assume it is the prime vacation (holiday) time?"

I would not worry about the crowding issue peak time etc, you may have to queue at locks but this all adds to the slow pace and the opportunity to socialise and relax.

[Sir Nibble]

How crowded are things in July? I assume it is the prime vacation (holiday) time?

The busiest time is when the schools are closed for the summer break. That can vary a little around the country, but as a rule the little savages are in school for the first two weeks of july then it's time to form the wagons into a circle.

[Yoda]

The busiest time is when the schools are closed for the summer break. That can vary a little around the country, but as a rule the little savages are in school for the first two weeks of july then it's time to form the wagons into a circle.

 

Well put!

[saltysplash]

The busiest time is when the schools are closed for the summer break. That can vary a little around the country, but as a rule the little savages are in school for the first two weeks of july then it's time to form the wagons into a circle.

 

 

encore

 

Towpath as previously mentioned runs alongside the canal (most of the time) and you just hop off at one bridge hole...plod on to the next or the next lock...its all up to you. Its your vacation (note the americanism from me there) so just do exactly what you want

[Bob on Holiday]

not sure if it would be well received by the locals if I let him drag me off into the bushes along the towpath. but i am not saying the idea doesnt sound inviting!

 

gerri (Mrs Bob)

[saltysplash]

not sure if it would be well received by the locals if I let him drag me off into the bushes along the towpath. but i am not saying the idea doesnt sound inviting!

 

gerri (Mrs Bob)

 

 

hey, we're now part of europe...anything goes....or so im told

[Yoda]

Be careful of going off the towpath, I've seen some very steep drops that cannot be climbed back up.

[Billypownall]

everyone has been great on here and have had lots of suggestions- just need to make some final decisions and do it- waiting for a few books about the canals i sent for to come in.

People on this site are always helpful Bob. All the advice you have been given makes good sense and you will have a great time. Stratford is a real tourist trap but after all it's earned that position. Be sure to take the open top bus tour which starts from the canal basin. Welcome to the best that England has to offer.

[Bob on Holiday]

People on this site are always helpful Bob. All the advice you have been given makes good sense and you will have a great time. Stratford is a real tourist trap but after all it's earned that position. Be sure to take the open top bus tour which starts from the canal basin. Welcome to the best that England has to offer.

 

 

Thanks for the advice- was just curious what to wear on the baot- are swim suits ok? how about the pubs. this is Bob's wife gerri and was just curious. can you go skinny dipping at night? hehe

 

Ms Gerri

[denboy]

Thanks for the advice- was just curious what to wear on the baot- are swim suits ok? how about the pubs. this is Bob's wife gerri and was just curious. can you go skinny dipping at night? hehe

 

Ms Gerri

swim suits are a good idea as long as its one of them thong types let me know were you`ll be and i`ll give you a hand on the locks

[Bob on Holiday]

swim suits are a good idea as long as its one of them thong types let me know were you`ll be and i`ll give you a hand on the locks

 

 

OH! Better send a private message next time. How do you do that? Going to help me get it on also?

 

Ms Gerri