Popular Post IanD Posted September 7, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 (edited) Just got back from a terrific week on the Stourport Ring (the shorter version via Dudley), so here's some information (especially pubs) that people might find useful. Our boat was "Hydra" from Anglo-Welsh at Tardebigge, lovely new 65' 4-berth boat with lots of nice features for a comfortable week including two bathrooms/showers and super-comfy leather armchairs, highly recommended. Afternoon of Day 1 was the Tardebigge flight, no problem (we love locks), would have taken us about 3 hours except we were behind a slow couple for the first part so took 2 hours for the first ten locks and then 2 hours for the next 21 after they let us overtake. Excellent dinner (pizzas and other stuff) at the Queen's Head (booking probably wise), washed down with some very nice beers. Next day was the very pleasant run down into Worcester, moored just below Sidbury Lock, very good food at the King's Head followed by more beer and crib in the fantastic Cardinal's Hat, a lovely friendly old-fashioned pub with great beer and lots of little cosy rooms to get wedged in. Then the run up the Severn to Stourport, should have stopped at the Camp House but didn't realise we were there until we were past it. Went up through the staircase locks and moored at the far side of the Upper Basin, had a good curry at Namaste right next door and then walked up to the Black Star, lots of excellent Wye Valley beers (also quite a loud amplified singer, but we could get away at a quiet end of the pub) -- are you starting to see a theme here? Decided to aim for Stourbridge Town Wharf the next day, quite a long run with lots if individual locks so we couldn't gain time by working ahead, but still got there by teatime. Very little mooring space inside the secure moorings but we were allowed to moor right at the end opposite the warehouse so long as we were only there overnight, otherwise would have had to moor outside the gates (near the water point) which we were told was safe but weren't that convinced, Another good curry at Bombay Pickles on the High Street, then another great beer and crib evening in the Duke William (Craddock's brewery tap) with some good guitarist/singers in the bar corner -- unamplified so we could half-listen while still being able to talk normally ? From there we flew up the Stourbridge Sixteen (aided by a volocky) in a few seconds under 2 hours, then moored above Delph bottom lock and walked up the hill to the Bull and Bladder (The Vine). Absolutely delicious Batham's (as you'd expect), cobs and pork pies for lunch, great dry humour from the barmaid, threatened to ban me and lamp me for various reasons -- a truly memorable pub. Then the Delph locks and along to moor at Withymoor Island Trust, we'd rung before setting off and they said we'd probably have to breast up (we did) but they'd fit us in somehow (they did). Lovely friendly people, gave us a gate key (for a deposit) and off we went to Ma Pardoe's. Last time I was there they only did one beer and it was 33p a pint, now they do four (all delicious) and food -- so it had to be faggots (mmm), liver and bacon (great if you like it), and more beer (now £2.60, oh dear, we're from London...) until closing time. Two iconic Black Country pubs in one day, you can't beat that. About 2h30m the next morning got us through Netherton to the Black Country Living Museum, moored and spent the afternoon there -- really fascinating, especially talking to the people running it. Visited the Bottle and Glass and the chippy for obvious reasons, both as good as claimed. Then moved along to John the Locks moorings at Tipton just past the Fountain, having gone past to the junction and turned so we were facing the right way for tomorrow. Was interesting shoehorning a 65' boat into a 63' space but we managed, then had another excellent evening in the Fountain sustained only by beer and bostin' pork scratchings -- proper fatty salty teethbreakers, none of this puffed-up pork rind rubbish (they had several grades...). Last full day was the long drag along the old main line (much more pleasant than the new one), surprisingly clean water with lots of plants, mostly cleared from the prop by occasional astern/ahead bursts except for one weed-hatch excursion to remove a tarpaulin. Drizzly rain at least meant only the steerer (me) got damp, diverted into Hockley Port (Soho Loop) for water -- point is right at the end, easier to wind first, beware the far end is really black stinky and disgusting if you stir it up with the prop. Stopped at the central Brum mooring to stroll up to the Prince of Wales on Cambridge Street for lunch (remembered it from thirty years ago) only to find it recently but permanently closed with a "For Lease" sign outside, boo hoo. Never mind, we had to resort to beer and pies on the boat, both in plentiful supply. Last evening was planned for the Weighbridge in Alvechurch but when we rang the day before they said they were full, so we ate on the boat and then went there afterwards -- got a table after the eaters left, predictably more nice beer (one bar wall is papered with CAMRA prize certificates) and crib until closing time. Food looked/smelt good but obviously needs booking well in advance, the pub is tiny. One hour in the morning back to the boatyard and then off we went home. A very enjoyable trip, especially if you like proper pubs that haven't been gastropubbed to within an inch of their lives. Didn't seem like 111 locks, they mostly just flew by -- Tardebigge was a piece of cake to do in an afternoon with three of us on the bank (four on the boat). No problems anywhere with trouble, vandalism, moorings, though I did spend a lot of time planning with Canalplan, Google, Nicholsons and Pearsons guides, the Good Beer Guide, and people on this forum. Many thanks to all those on Canalworld who helped with advice, especially about moorings in Brum. In hindsight, I would do the whole trip again with exactly the same stops at the drop of a hat (even a Cardinal's) -- if you like locks and your idea of a good evening is to spend it with friends/family (in our case, both) in a good pub with excellent and reasonably priced beer, it's probably one of the best one-week trips you could do. I would also highly recommend both the boat and boatyard ("Hydra" from Anglo-Welsh at Tardebigge) if four of you want a really comfortable boat for a week -- not a single problem, really well designed and thought out, beautifully fitted out and equipped. It even had shelves in the kitchen which could have been custom designed to take 18-pint polypins from Rebellion, and the steering position is the first one I've seen which had a level place with a lip designed for a plate with a bacon-and-egg sandwich (yes, with HP sauce) and a cup of tea -- or a pint of beer and a guidebook. Even the fridge was bigger than normal with a decent-sized freezer, big enough for enough bags/trays of ice to make proper home-sized pre-prandial G&Ts. It was almost as if whoever designed the boat had read my mind first and fixed all the moans I've had about previous boats (wouldn't it be nice if...) ? Edited September 7, 2018 by IanD errors 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 Sounds like you had a great trip! Here’s to the next one soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billS Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 36 minutes ago, IanD said: Excellent dinner (pizzas and other stuff) at the Queen's Head (booking probably wise), washed down with some very nice beers. A very enjoyable trip, especially if you like proper pubs that haven't been gastropubbed to within an inch of their lives. Great report, but I don't think these two sentences belong in the same report! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanD Posted September 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 Just now, billS said: Great report, but I don't think these two sentences belong in the same report! It was one of only two gastropubs (the other being the Kings Head in Worcester, we only ate there becuase the Thai restaurant wes fully booked) and the only one we stayed at all evening (no other choice) as opposed to just eating there -- and the beer was nevertheless very good. Against that there was the Cardinal's Hat, the Black Star, the Duke William, the Bull and Bladder, Ma Pardoes, the Bottle and Glass, the Fountain, and the Weighbridge (later on), which I'd say is an exceptional haul of proper pubs for one week ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightacre Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 Excellent choice of drinking establishments, although there are better pubs in Stourport than Black Star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanD Posted September 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 6 minutes ago, eightacre said: Excellent choice of drinking establishments, although there are better pubs in Stourport than Black Star. Near the canal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightacre Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 5 minutes ago, IanD said: Near the canal? A short walk: https://thegoodpubguide.co.uk/pub/dy13+9aa/holly+bush/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanD Posted September 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 (edited) 2 minutes ago, eightacre said: A short walk: https://thegoodpubguide.co.uk/pub/dy13+9aa/holly+bush/ Missed that, not in GBG either -- maybe next time... ? Edited September 7, 2018 by IanD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac of Cygnet Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 I wouldn't give the Good Pub Guide house (or boat) room. Beer quality does not seem to be a criterion. Quote 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Vectis Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 (edited) A good report, thank you. But.....< adopts trainspotterish mode > ..................... You say of the pubs visited that 'the beer was good' but you don't say what the beer was! I only went to the Prince of Wales the once and TBH wasn't too impressed. When in Brum I'd rather walk into town to the Post Office Vaults or the Wellington. (Or the Craven Arms, paying homage to 'Ambridge' when crossing the canal near the Mailbox) 1 hour ago, Mac of Cygnet said: I wouldn't give the Good Pub Guide house (or boat) room. Beer quality does not seem to be a criterion. Agreed. And I feel the GBGs days are numbered with the advent of CAMRA's 'What Pub' website, Edited September 7, 2018 by Victor Vectis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Pegg Posted September 7, 2018 Report Share Posted September 7, 2018 5 hours ago, IanD said: It was one of only two gastropubs (the other being the Kings Head in Worcester, we only ate there becuase the Thai restaurant wes fully booked) and the only one we stayed at all evening (no other choice) as opposed to just eating there -- and the beer was nevertheless very good. Against that there was the Cardinal's Hat, the Black Star, the Duke William, the Bull and Bladder, Ma Pardoes, the Bottle and Glass, the Fountain, and the Weighbridge (later on), which I'd say is an exceptional haul of proper pubs for one week ? Good report on the trip and it is a great cruising ring with lots of variety. Also the best variant on the ring is probably via Stourbridge, BCLM and Old Main Line. The Queen's Head isn't really a gastropub. If it was you wouldn't have had pizza for lunch. It's an ordinary place with delusions of grandeur. However I have never had a bad meal there and it does have half decent beer. It isn't necessarily value for money though as the prices are higher than they really should be for the quality and location. That said there isn't really anywhere else on the Worcs & Birmingham below Tardebigge that I could offer as being obviously better if you want to eat as well as drink. There are many more 'genuine' places though. Above Tardebigge it's disappointing there is nothing at the top of the locks (and you must never be tempted to walk to The Tardebigge pub) but The Weighbridge is properly good with local(ish) ales and home cooked food. Shame it doesn't open until seven. I couldn't sneak a quick pint there last week when I arrived at the marina at 1830 and had to get the 1900 train back home. JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete harrison Posted September 8, 2018 Report Share Posted September 8, 2018 13 hours ago, Captain Pegg said: Above Tardebigge it's disappointing there is nothing at the top of the locks (and you must never be tempted to walk to The Tardebigge pub) but The Weighbridge is properly good with local(ish) ales and home cooked food. Shame it doesn't open until seven. JP Clearly this depends what you want from a pub. I have always tried not to stop at the top of Tardebigge due to its remoteness, but when I have The Tardebigge has been quite welcome and the food O.K. although it is just another chain pub. Having said that I do not drink alcohol so I am not in search of real ales, and it would be better if it were nearer to the canal. Are you suggesting that the Weighbridge (Alvechurch Marina) is now a public establishment as when I worked the boats back in the early 1980's it was for boatyard users only - but they did let me and my mate in - or am I thinking of the wrong Weighbridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanD Posted September 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2018 20 hours ago, Mac of Cygnet said: I wouldn't give the Good Pub Guide house (or boat) room. Beer quality does not seem to be a criterion. Good Beer Guide (CAMRA) not Good Pub Guide (obsessed with furnishings)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanD Posted September 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2018 (edited) 20 hours ago, Victor Vectis said: A good report, thank you. But.....< adopts trainspotterish mode > ..................... You say of the pubs visited that 'the beer was good' but you don't say what the beer was! I only went to the Prince of Wales the once and TBH wasn't too impressed. When in Brum I'd rather walk into town to the Post Office Vaults or the Wellington. (Or the Craven Arms, paying homage to 'Ambridge' when crossing the canal near the Mailbox) Agreed. And I feel the GBGs days are numbered with the advent of CAMRA's 'What Pub' website, I didn't list the beers because there were many and I didn't write then down, not being a trainspotter -- also many are likely to change if you go next week. All had multiple beers, all from small breweries -- from memory... Queen's head -- 4 including Salopian Cardinal's Hat -- 6 Black Star -- 5 (4 from Wye Valley) Duke William -- 6, all Craddocks Bull and Bladder -- Batham's Mild and Bitter Ma Pardoe's -- 4 Old Swan : original, a stronger pale, a very good dark, and NPA (Nethrton Pale Ale) Fountain -- 4 including good Banks's mild Weighbridge -- 4 including good Holden's mild In every one we found at least 3 or 4 beers that we liked (different people with different tastes) so there didn't seem much point being more detailed, I'd happily spend an evening in any of them. Except the Bull and Bladder, the bitter was ambrosial and that's all I'd need for days... GBG is much more selective than WhatPub and has a lot more detail of the pubs that are in it. Edited September 8, 2018 by IanD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanD Posted September 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2018 16 hours ago, Captain Pegg said: Good report on the trip and it is a great cruising ring with lots of variety. Also the best variant on the ring is probably via Stourbridge, BCLM and Old Main Line. The Queen's Head isn't really a gastropub. If it was you wouldn't have had pizza for lunch. It's an ordinary place with delusions of grandeur. However I have never had a bad meal there and it does have half decent beer. It isn't necessarily value for money though as the prices are higher than they really should be for the quality and location. That said there isn't really anywhere else on the Worcs & Birmingham below Tardebigge that I could offer as being obviously better if you want to eat as well as drink. There are many more 'genuine' places though. Above Tardebigge it's disappointing there is nothing at the top of the locks (and you must never be tempted to walk to The Tardebigge pub) but The Weighbridge is properly good with local(ish) ales and home cooked food. Shame it doesn't open until seven. I couldn't sneak a quick pint there last week when I arrived at the marina at 1830 and had to get the 1900 train back home. JP I'd say it places much more emphasis on food than beer, which in my mind makes it a gastropub. But we stayed until closing time plating crib at our table without feeling out of place, so definitely a pub not a restaurant -- and the beer was good and had several choices. Some of us had pizzas for dinner (which were good) others decent upper-class pub food. Weighbridge is good (see last night) but small, and we couldn't try the food because it was fully booked -- but what we saw looked good. After the diners left more drinkers arrived and it turned back into a nice local pub. 2 hours ago, pete harrison said: Clearly this depends what you want from a pub. I have always tried not to stop at the top of Tardebigge due to its remoteness, but when I have The Tardebigge has been quite welcome and the food O.K. although it is just another chain pub. Having said that I do not drink alcohol so I am not in search of real ales, and it would be better if it were nearer to the canal. Are you suggesting that the Weighbridge (Alvechurch Marina) is now a public establishment as when I worked the boats back in the early 1980's it was for boatyard users only - but they did let me and my mate in - or am I thinking of the wrong Weighbridge Weighbridge at Alvechurch Marina is definitely public now, as reported... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Pegg Posted September 9, 2018 Report Share Posted September 9, 2018 (edited) 20 hours ago, IanD said: I'd say it places much more emphasis on food than beer, which in my mind makes it a gastropub. But we stayed until closing time plating crib at our table without feeling out of place, so definitely a pub not a restaurant -- and the beer was good and had several choices. Some of us had pizzas for dinner (which were good) others decent upper-class pub food. Weighbridge is good (see last night) but small, and we couldn't try the food because it was fully booked -- but what we saw looked good. After the diners left more drinkers arrived and it turned back into a nice local pub. It's certainly a food over beer kind of place. I always think of a gastropub as somewhere that serves high end food cooked by a properly good chef and I don't think the Queen's Head meets that criterion. I've eaten there a few times. It's also a pub that has pretty much rendered the original house redundant and the business end is a gigantic lean-to which doesn't do much for its character. There aren't really many locals around to drink there, my guess is that most of the clientele drive there from Redditch. They do make some effort with the beer and I had a pint of Bitter Brummie from Birmingham Brewing Co there a couple of weeks ago. It sounded promised but unfortunately it wasn't that great. Whether that was pub or product I don't know since that was the first time I have tried it. I suspect the latter so it could also be the last. One pub on the W&B that does retain it's local feel is the Boat & Railway at Stoke Prior. It's also a last night stop for hirers from Black Prince. Standard Marston's fare and you get what you pay for so it's cheap but that's OK. JP Edited September 9, 2018 by Captain Pegg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan B Posted September 9, 2018 Report Share Posted September 9, 2018 Further down the W & B, The Bridge at Tibberton has recently been refurbished and has a new landlord, previously at the Alma in Worcester. AlthoughI have not yet been in, initial reports are promising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanD Posted September 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2018 4 hours ago, Captain Pegg said: It's certainly a food over beer kind of place. I always think of a gastropub as somewhere that serves high end food cooked by a properly good chef and I don't think the Queen's Head meets that criterion. I've eaten there a few times. It's also a pub that has pretty much rendered the original house redundant and the business end is a gigantic lean-to which doesn't do much for its character. There aren't really many locals around to drink there, my guess is that most of the clientele drive there from Redditch. They do make some effort with the beer and I had a pint of Bitter Brummie from Birmingham Brewing Co there a couple of weeks ago. It sounded promised but unfortunately it wasn't that great. Whether that was pub or product I don't know since that was the first time I have tried it. I suspect the latter so it could also be the last. One pub on the W&B that does retain it's local feel is the Boat & Railway at Stoke Prior. It's also a last night stop for hirers from Black Prince. Standard Marston's fare and you get what you pay for so it's cheap but that's OK. JP Also tried the Bitter Brummie and didn't like it -- it wasn't in bad condition, I just didn't like the taste. But they had several others (all well kept) which we did like, so no complaints -- I'd rather have distinctive tasty beers (that may or may not be to particular people's taste) than bland ones which offend nobody but also please nobody. The original use of "gastropub" may indeed have been what you said, but there isn't really another term for "mostly a restaurant but with a minority of pub left" places which are now in the majority, especially outside towns -- what I'd call proper pubs need enough local regular drinking trade to keep them going, which is rare outside towns and cities. In my mind if you can't walk in and get a beer and find somewhere to sit because it's all reserved for diners, it's not a pub any more, it's reaaly a restaurant with a bar that looks like a pub not a restaurant... Not that some of these aren't very nice, the Navigation at Dobcross is an example -- great beer and food but the first time we passed four of us couldn't even go in and sit at the bar. Second time we rang ahead to book and had a splendid evening. Can't blame pubs for going this way to make enough money to keep going, but we're losing something as a consequence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave123 Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 Lovely report! I enjoy reading these kind of travel logs. Makes me miss that part of the country! I am curious though that if there were 4 of you on your boat, wouldn't it have been quicker to have one of your crew help the slow boat in front at tardebigge rather than overtake? Unless that was what the other boat preferred? We usually do this when behind a boat with fewer crew that is going slower...unless they decline the offer of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 3 minutes ago, Dave123 said: Lovely report! I enjoy reading these kind of travel logs. Makes me miss that part of the country! I am curious though that if there were 4 of you on your boat, wouldn't it have been quicker to have one of your crew help the slow boat in front at tardebigge rather than overtake? Unless that was what the other boat preferred? We usually do this when behind a boat with fewer crew that is going slower...unless they decline the offer of course. I think some people appreciate help to speed them up, some people don't like to feel rushed and allow a much faster boat past. Either option seems perfectly reasonable to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frahkn Posted September 13, 2018 Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 2 hours ago, nicknorman said: I think some people appreciate help to speed them up, some people don't like to feel rushed and allow a much faster boat past. Either option seems perfectly reasonable to me. Yep! Although we're as fast as most two-person crews in locks, our cruising speed is slow. I always ask following boats to pass, really dislike anyone following me too closely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanD Posted September 13, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2018 3 hours ago, Dave123 said: Lovely report! I enjoy reading these kind of travel logs. Makes me miss that part of the country! I am curious though that if there were 4 of you on your boat, wouldn't it have been quicker to have one of your crew help the slow boat in front at tardebigge rather than overtake? Unless that was what the other boat preferred? We usually do this when behind a boat with fewer crew that is going slower...unless they decline the offer of course. That's exactly what we started by doing, but they were still slow because the sole lady (husband steering) was the meat in the sandwich and didn't really understand how to speed things up with two boats. When we overtook we had 2 on the bank locking with our boat and I stayed back with the other boat following us to help them through, this speeded things up a lot because they were following not leading. 3 hours ago, nicknorman said: I think some people appreciate help to speed them up, some people don't like to feel rushed and allow a much faster boat past. Either option seems perfectly reasonable to me. They did appreciate it, they were also booked into the Queen's Head for dinner and we'd both have been late if we'd carried on as we were. When we swapped everything got faster and the lady on her own found it much less effort since I was helping her, in fact her husband passed me a pint of rather nice cool cider as a thank you ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHS Posted September 22, 2018 Report Share Posted September 22, 2018 On 09/09/2018 at 10:09, Captain Pegg said: One pub on the W&B that does retain it's local feel is the Boat & Railway at Stoke Prior. It's also a last night stop for hirers from Black Prince. Standard Marston's fare and you get what you pay for so it's cheap but that's OK. We’ve not been in before, but went in on Tuesday night. The beer was decent, the food ok, but the atmosphere was only ok. A local told me it has a new landlady and the locals are sadly abandoning it. There’s a smart new dining area, beautifully lit, but apparently unused. There’s nothing planned in the next few months to encourage people in over the winter. Loads of potential as it’s such a great place, let’s hope things improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flotsam1 Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 Apologies for being late to the party, but I have just seen your extensive and useful trip report Ian. We hired Hydra for two weeks in May 2018 and I agree, it was a great boat. With two bathrooms, but just myself and my husband onboard, was pure indulgence. And the blue LED lights so as not to blind you on a visit to the loo in the night was a great idea. We got through the Tardebigge locks in just over 3 hours and we rewarded ourselves with a wonderful meal at the Queen's Head. We did the Stourport Ring but detoured to Tixall Wide, after a recommendation from a lovely chap at Stourport - I'm glad we took his advice, as it was gorgeous. We managed to make a right royal hash of turning at the Black Country Museum, but at least we provided entertainment for the gongoozlers, as we completely misjudged the turn for the winding hole. We were however grateful to the nice chap who came off his narrowboat to assist us and prevent potential divorce proceedings. That was our second narrowboat holiday and we have decided to do another this year in April, around the Four Counties Ring, with some chill out time back at Tixall Wide. Sadly, it won't be the Hydra this year, but we are hiring a 58ft in the hope it may be a little easier for us novices to moor and avoid any further winding hole embarrassment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted February 16, 2019 Report Share Posted February 16, 2019 5 hours ago, Flotsam1 said: Apologies for being late to the party, but I have just seen your extensive and useful trip report Ian. We hired Hydra for two weeks in May 2018 and I agree, it was a great boat. With two bathrooms, but just myself and my husband onboard, was pure indulgence. And the blue LED lights so as not to blind you on a visit to the loo in the night was a great idea. We got through the Tardebigge locks in just over 3 hours and we rewarded ourselves with a wonderful meal at the Queen's Head. We did the Stourport Ring but detoured to Tixall Wide, after a recommendation from a lovely chap at Stourport - I'm glad we took his advice, as it was gorgeous. We managed to make a right royal hash of turning at the Black Country Museum, but at least we provided entertainment for the gongoozlers, as we completely misjudged the turn for the winding hole. We were however grateful to the nice chap who came off his narrowboat to assist us and prevent potential divorce proceedings. That was our second narrowboat holiday and we have decided to do another this year in April, around the Four Counties Ring, with some chill out time back at Tixall Wide. Sadly, it won't be the Hydra this year, but we are hiring a 58ft in the hope it may be a little easier for us novices to moor and avoid any further winding hole embarrassment. Sadly it sounds as though you are drinking in the last chance saloon, and if not careful will become fully fledged canalcoholics ? For me it was the slippery slope of hiring, then shared ownership (much cheaper than regular hiring if you find you need a fix or two of canals per year) before slipping into the murky depths of complete addiction - boat ownership! The 4 Counties Ring provides a bit of everything, from urban cruising, tunnels, beautifully situated lock flights and rural countryside. Enjoy your forthcoming holiday and don't forget to ask advice about the route on CWDF and of course provide a report of it after completion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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