dockgateman Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 Hello People, Am thinking of cruising the 'four counties' next month but am hearing from other boater that there some rough and 'unfriendly local natives' in some areas has anyone had any problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howardang Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 11 minutes ago, dockgateman said: Hello People, Am thinking of cruising the 'four counties' next month but am hearing from other boater that there some rough and 'unfriendly local natives' in some areas has anyone had any problems. I have done the 4 counties a number of times over the years, and have never had an issue. It is one of my favourite rings but please leave yourself enough time to enjoy it. It is possible to get round in a week but much more enjoyable if you give it at least 8 or 9 days. Have a great trip. Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dockgateman Posted July 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 Thanks for that Howard, that's a good start to my question Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arthur Marshall Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 Never had any trouble on the 4 counties. You may be confusing it with the Cheshire ring which goes through Manchester and quite a few grotty, but mostly safe these days, areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenA Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 There's always the potential for unfriendly natives anywhere on the canal system. As others have said - don't rush it... and pace yourself on Heartbreak Hill and you'll breeze through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGoat Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 It's (or was) a bit depressing through Stoke - the rest is fairly rural.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Davidson Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 Take the plunge, I'm sure you will enjoy it. We did it last summer and had a great time, and absolutely no problems with anyone or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHS Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 It's a great ring, take a fortnight if you can. Stoke is generally fine these days. Moor at Westport Lake and the worst thing you'll have to deal with is goose poo!! The section of the Staffs & Worcs near Autherley Junction is the only other spot on the whole ring that I might avoid mooring overnight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHS Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 I would recommend the Navigation pub at Gnossal. They used to have a very good open mike night on a Thursday. Not sure if that's still a regular fixture, but I understand they still have live music. Good moorings outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 I have moored a couple of times on the Shropshire Union by Bridge 2 overnight without problem, very handy for shopping at Morrison's not far from Autherley Junction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHS Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 3 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said: I have moored a couple of times on the Shropshire Union by Bridge 2 overnight without problem, very handy for shopping at Morrison's not far from Autherley Junction. I think that's near the Wolverhampton Bost Club moorings. A pleasant spot to stop, and not far from Autherley through the stop lock. Its not far from there to Brewood, which is a lovely stop over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 Just now, MHS said: I think that's near the Wolverhampton Bost Club moorings. A pleasant spot to stop, and not far from Autherley through the stop lock. Its not far from there to Brewood, which is a lovely stop over. The reason we stopped the first time was for shopping at Morrison's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgreg Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 2 hours ago, howardang said: I have done the 4 counties a number of times over the years, and have never had an issue. It is one of my favourite rings but please leave yourself enough time to enjoy it. It is possible to get round in a week but much more enjoyable if you give it at least 8 or 9 days. Have a great trip. Howard Exactly. The Four Counties is fabulous and I've never encountered problems either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmeraldIsleLockLady Posted July 23, 2017 Report Share Posted July 23, 2017 We did the Four Counties last year and loved it. We took two weeks and included a trip up and down the Calden Canal as well, which was very pretty and relatively quiet. I would plan not to stop at Stoke overnight on your journey but other than that we had no issues with quiet moorings throughout our trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceinSanity Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 9 hours ago, ditchcrawler said: I have moored a couple of times on the Shropshire Union by Bridge 2 overnight without problem, very handy for shopping at Morrison's not far from Autherley Junction. When we ran the IWA National at Autherley, we had grief with scrotes chucking stuff from Bridge 2, so these days we always go on to the VMs between Bridges 7 and 8, beautiful, quiet country mooring. Be prepared for poor mobile reception at many places on the Shroppie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-M Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 45 minutes ago, BruceinSanity said: When we ran the IWA National at Autherley, we had grief with scrotes chucking stuff from Bridge 2, so these days we always go on to the VMs between Bridges 7 and 8, beautiful, quiet country mooring. Be prepared for poor mobile reception at many places on the Shroppie. The scrotes from 2008 may have grown up now. The last couple of times I have boated through Autherley this year (latest being last Friday) there have been moored boats all along the Staffs and Worcs section both sides of the junction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 8 hours ago, EmeraldIsleLockLady said: We did the Four Counties last year and loved it. We took two weeks and included a trip up and down the Calden Canal as well, which was very pretty and relatively quiet. I would plan not to stop at Stoke overnight on your journey but other than that we had no issues with quiet moorings throughout our trip. This is what I would also recommend over a fortnight. When on the Calton, moor overnight at Etruria near the start and don't moor again until the pub at Milton. Thereafter is is all wonderfully rural. Make the time to explore both branches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boots Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 (edited) Done the four counties once a few years ago and did not encounter any problems. Since then, have done half of it (& back) from Hurleston (via Autherley) several times (in fact, doing it now, just at Penkridge). Enjoy Edited July 24, 2017 by boots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, Rob-M said: The scrotes from 2008 may have grown up now. The last couple of times I have boated through Autherley this year (latest being last Friday) there have been moored boats all along the Staffs and Worcs section both sides of the junction. He's referring to the first bit of the Shropshire Union, between the boatyard and bridge 2 near the sewage works. The advice is not to moor along there because of the estate on the left hand (south) side. It's asking for problems stopping along there, especially because there are perfectly fine moorings within about a mile. Edited July 24, 2017 by Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 Quote North portal area of Harecastle tunnel is the other place to avoid (for overnight), best to go through the first Red Bull lock if travelling northwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junior Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 If someone is going around saying the Four Counties Ring is dangerous, then there really is no hope. I do the 4CR continously, monthly, and have never had any problems anywhere. There is only 2 stretches of it that i wouldn't want to moor and thats Etruria - Trentham lock, and Wolverhampton Boat Club - Coven. Even then you could probably stay there 999 times out of 1000 and never have an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fender151 Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 We have just finished the Four Counties Ring, 14 days, would loved to have spent longer. Just loved it, loads to see, Wedgwood Museum, Shugborough Hall, great market towns every other day. Heart Break Hill is just a day to feel like a hero and perfect excuse/ justification/ reward for supping pints of rehydrating liquids! Stoke is a history lesson, history not always inspirational, Westport Lake moorings on the out skirts of Stoke is great overnight moorings. Harecastle Tunnel box needs ticking IMO. Most of the folks we met were great, helpful when we/they though we needed it ! The whole Shroppie experience, views amazing, not overly busy, has water, no trouble with locks, whats not to like! Just go for it, and enjoy, make time your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 12 hours ago, Philip said: He's referring to the first bit of the Shropshire Union, between the boatyard and bridge 2 near the sewage works. The advice is not to moor along there because of the estate on the left hand (south) side. It's asking for problems stopping along there, especially because there are perfectly fine moorings within about a mile. Well all I can say is we haven't had problems by Bridge 2, hardly saw anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenA Posted July 24, 2017 Report Share Posted July 24, 2017 Sandbach well worth a visit if you like your beer and old architecture, same for Nantwich. Market Drayton handy for Adsa, Morrisons, Lidl, The Joules Brewery..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob-M Posted July 25, 2017 Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 9 hours ago, StephenA said: Sandbach well worth a visit if you like your beer and old architecture, same for Nantwich. Market Drayton handy for Adsa, Morrisons, Lidl, The Joules Brewery..... Joules Brewery had a very drinkable special on when I was in the Red Lion for a meal on Saturday night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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