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25 Jun 06 - 01:37 PM (#1768762) Subject: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Dave Swan It's daunting trying to compare narrowboat services and routes available. I'm thinking of springtime next year for a fortnight's cruise. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with hire companies and/or routes. Is mooring in Birmingham as bad an idea as the internet would have me believe? What should I look for in evaluating a hire company? Trad, semi-trad, or cruising? Most importantly, which route has the best pubs/folk clubs? Thanks, D |
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25 Jun 06 - 01:41 PM (#1768764) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Mo the caller Audlem Cheshire, come to the Shroppie Fly on Monday for a good session. |
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25 Jun 06 - 02:49 PM (#1768829) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Zany Mouse PM The Admiral - they take a couple of hols every year on narrowboats. Rhiannon |
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26 Jun 06 - 02:26 AM (#1769118) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Mr Red If you are asking about Brum you must be starting close to. Gas Street Basin should be OK but a mile north is less so, as long as you are in residence it is not so bad. Black Diamond FC meet on Fri, though not August, easy walk to. Somers FC in Worcester is within very easy walking distance of Diglis Basin and there is a lot of canal to moor in that is nearer, again Fri. have a look at my lists of sessions & FC's and use the map feature (click county) to find those close to canals. when I did a canal holiday I lost a hammer mooring in the rural parts (put it down and forgot) and ran out of fuel at the worst time with an empty spare because I rushed the hire company. With narrow boats the fuel should not be a problem - maybe pump-out will be over two weeks - ask the hire company. Oh and three things to remember 1) boats don't have brakes but they do have momentum - think ahead and slow down. Reverse thrust is not the whole answer. 2) boats - particularly long ones pivot about the centre of mass (centre of pressure but you won't spot the difference) so keep an eye on the stern and the bow when changing direction. 3) the steering in reverse is the opposite to what you think. Trust me - go slow. AND hard to port in reverse will not slow you down longtitudinally but it may turn a little. Basically - be patient and slow - boats are not about rush. |
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26 Jun 06 - 03:42 AM (#1769140) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Folkiedave And if you fall in the cut, don´t try to swim, just stand up. |
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26 Jun 06 - 03:53 AM (#1769145) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: skipy P M the admiral, no one knows more than him on this subject. Skipy |
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26 Jun 06 - 04:27 AM (#1769154) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Paul Burke Many towns and cities are problematic for mooring, not least because local dog owners see the towpath as a useful facility. In Northampton not long ago, a moored narrow boat was set alight by local youths. Though it's more common for that to happen to long- term moored boats that attract dossers. Besides which, the townscape is often simply miserable. You do get some interesting industrial hsitory, but sheer dereliction is all to prevalent. I prefer the rural routes. And Mo is right, even disregarding folk clubs, the Shroppy is wonderful. So is the Caldon, the Kennet and Avon, the Llangollen is rather crowded especially in holiday time, I've not been on the Leeds and Liverpool but I'm told the Yorkshire side is better. And many other routes. If you want to go up the Macclesfield, take your own water. Wherever you go, take plenty of supplies, as convenient shops are becoming a very rare resource in many rural areas. Don't attempt any of the "rings" for a first hire. I've heard too many horror stories of people miscalculating the time required and having to do late nights and early mornings to make it on time. A lot will depend on the size and enthusiasm of the crew. You wouldn't want to do Tardebigge, Hatton or Caen Hill flights (31, 21 and 29 locks) if it's just you, the wife and a 6 year old. Semi-trad or cruiser for the stern, with a trad stern the steerer is rather isolated. You'll find most hire boats are cruiser. Avoid Canaltime hires (if they still do them), apart from their reputation (or rather that of their hirers) the boats don't allow access from the cabin to the bows, which is the best place to sit if you aren't steering. You'll get a lot of useful advice if you ask the same question on uk.rec.waterways. |
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26 Jun 06 - 04:32 AM (#1769157) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: The PA The canal system around Birmingham has undergone major refurbishment over the last few years and is certainly NOT a bad idea. Also you could investigate Worcestershire's Alvechurch, Tardebigge, Stoke Wharf areas. Bromsgrove folk festival takes place in July each year and the venue is near to the canal, at Stoke Prior (I think, there's Stoke Prior, Stoke Pound and Stoke Wharf all the in same area and I'm old and get confused). Spectacular views and good beer. Not that I would know about the beer of course ! |
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26 Jun 06 - 05:02 AM (#1769168) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: fiddler I'd love to join you in Brum but it takes too long to get there from Reading. Further South the Kennet & Avon is great, depends if you are looking for folking en route or good cruising. Most companies are fair or better I have heard of few that are listed as poor! I'm spoiled livi8ng on mine. Yes the admiral is pretty expert. BTW I discovered last night that The Rising Sun in Stockcross (near Newbury) is only 1 mile from the canal and has a clog dancing landlady and Keith Holloway (Random and a few other bands) as Landlord. As well as a good range of WEst Berks Brewery Ales. So there is one very friendly hole on the K&A anyway. |
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26 Jun 06 - 05:46 AM (#1769178) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: GUEST,Dazbo For folk music you could try and get to next year's Middlewich festival. |
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26 Jun 06 - 06:07 AM (#1769187) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: GUEST,noddy and after Middlewich you could cruise long to Chester lots of folky stuff most nights the week search in folk orbit for a whole host of venues. |
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26 Jun 06 - 06:20 AM (#1769193) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Emma B a festival that's a cut above the rest |
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26 Jun 06 - 08:30 AM (#1769249) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: greg stephens Chas Hardern's narrowboat hire company, in Beeston is what you want. On the Shropshire Union canal, between Nantwich and Chester. Ideal for Shropshire Union, Llangollen, via Middlewich to the Caldon, all sorts of possible routes. Cheaper than a lot of firms, Chas is a genuine canal enthusiast and runs a very fine business. Now I no longer live on a boat, if nostalgia gets too powerful I hire one off Chas and have a little holiday. I can recommend him unreservedly. PM me if you want any furtherinfo/advice. By the way, music is to be found readily in Nantwich, Middlewich and Audlem for starters, all close to Chas' yard. |
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26 Jun 06 - 10:32 AM (#1769330) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Dave Swan Thanks, everyone. Once again the Mudcat answers all. Cheers, D |
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26 Jun 06 - 10:32 AM (#1769332) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Dave Swan But don't stop now... |
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26 Jun 06 - 04:01 PM (#1769546) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: GUEST,ClaireBear Dave, if you haven't settled on doing this trip on your own, I have a suggestion: Tom Lewis and his lovely wife run a small narrowboat tour every year or two that seems to specialize in pubs and festivals. You couldn't ask for better company, and (in case you don't already know Tom enough to be aware of this) I think the two of you would adore each other. Go to this page on Tom's site and cruise down the page for links leading to details on past cruises and an e-mail addy to be on the list for future ones. Cheers, Claire |
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27 Jun 06 - 06:36 AM (#1770024) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: GUEST "all close to Chas' yard" should be "all close to Chas's yard" :-) |
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27 Jun 06 - 07:22 AM (#1770041) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Blowzabella no it shouldn't.... |
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27 Jun 06 - 07:56 AM (#1770058) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: GUEST,Neovo I venture to agree with anonymous GUEST. Punctuation is there to help guide the reader towards sense when reading. Originally this was meant to indicate pauses and pronunciation when reading aloud. Ask yourself which makes more sense when spoken - "Chas yard" (Chas') or "Chases yard" (Chas's). End of drift? |
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27 Jun 06 - 08:00 AM (#1770060) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Blowzabella Sorry to be pedantic, but how it is pronounced and how it is presented are not necessarily the same. The use of the possessive apostrophe was drummed into us at school, so I've got to make use of the knowledge somehow! *g* |
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27 Jun 06 - 09:23 AM (#1770124) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: GUEST s' indicates the possesive for a plural. As Chas quite evidently is not a plural then the possesive is indicated by 's. So Chas's is correct. |
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27 Jun 06 - 09:42 AM (#1770144) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: GUEST, Topsie I agree with Guest. |
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27 Jun 06 - 11:01 AM (#1770222) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: GUEST,yet another pedant Surely that should be - As Chas, quite evidently, is not a plural... |
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28 Jun 06 - 08:00 AM (#1771027) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Mr Red Bromsgrove/Stoke Works the Bowling Green has a Sun session. my session lists & the Rising Sun at Stockcross - Joan assured me they have regular sessions of all kinds of music. They even turned -up at Chippenham - and organised/performed despite the new tennancy and the loss of a chef. they get a good review here |
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28 Jun 06 - 06:52 PM (#1771501) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: open mike UK waterways online magazine blickie journal of one of Tom Lewis's trips please do not go on ad nauseum about the punctuation and apostrophes another journal from Tom Lewis's Midlands canal trip ---------> site where you can find luggage...http://www.ebags.com/ if i find a bag big enough to hold me, can i stow away with you? |
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29 Jun 06 - 03:10 PM (#1772184) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: open mike The number of licensed boats on British Waterways was estimated at about 27,000 in 2006-- i found another link here http://www.britain-afloat.com/ |
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29 Jun 06 - 03:18 PM (#1772186) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Amos The "s'" construction is also perfectly acceptable in the rare case where a singular noun such as "Chas" ends in "s". Imagine, for example, a dainty lass named Miss. If unmarried she would be Miss Miss. And if she owned a yard, it would be Miss Miss' yard. A |
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30 Jun 06 - 05:04 AM (#1772525) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: The Admiral Get a life! |
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30 Jun 06 - 08:05 AM (#1772646) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Mr Red a life on the ocean waves? er shouldn't that be lives? 'Catters have 9 you know ducks & swims for the bank |
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30 Jun 06 - 01:27 PM (#1772874) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: greg stephens I was just trying to give Chas a plug, not precipitaqte an old fogy punctuation debate. But I was taught that you say Chas's Yard, but write Chas' Yard, so that's what I'm going to stick to.Either way, it's got great boats at a great place in a great location. |
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30 Jun 06 - 02:16 PM (#1772910) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: GUEST, Topsie Write Chas's if you're in England, Chas' if in the States. |
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30 Jun 06 - 04:58 PM (#1773008) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: greg stephens There's a great tune for the metrical version of the 23rd Psalm(often sung to Crimmond). As far as I'm concerned, it's written Brother James' Air. Or even Brother James Air. Not Brother James's Air. But obviosuly, when you say it, wou say "Brother James's Air". |
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30 Jun 06 - 08:08 PM (#1773151) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Naemanson Last August my wife and I went on a three day holiday on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. The canal winds up into the Brecon Beacons National Park. Consequently you do not get into a lot of hustle and bustle. The canal winds through woods and small villages. It has only a few locks and we never got to any of them on our three days. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We talked to the people in the towns and those walking along the cut. We got an Welsh lesson from an old man walking his dog. He was a retired shepherd. We met a wonderful couple working in their garden. They invited us in for a tour of the plants they grew. We ate lovely meals in the local pubs, one of which was decorated with numerous pictures and statuettes of Laurel and Hardy. I tried the beer in each pub we ate in and declared it all good. We used Beacon Park Boats (http://www.beaconparkboats.com/monandbrec.htm). On the first day we met an interesting family also headed out. One of their number was the wife's father. When we introduced ourselves he seemed a bit grumpy. When the wife assked Wakana's nationality we answered, "Japanese." The father commented that he'd once been the guest of the Japanese army. He'd survived four years in a Japanese prison camp during WWII. We had a lovely time but there was no music involved except that which I provided while we sat on the boat. As for why we chose that one? It was one of the few that still had space available when I finally was ready to make a reservation. Don't delay. Holidays on the cuts are a very popular attraction. |
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01 Jul 06 - 01:07 AM (#1773285) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Mo the caller Since this thread has already drifted from its mootings - there is a shop in Beverley called Boyes which I would have expected to be pronounced "boys" but some of the locals call it "Boy-ses" |
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01 Jul 06 - 01:00 PM (#1773590) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Dave Swan Thanks to all for the good info. I am most appreciative. D |
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04 Jul 06 - 01:46 PM (#1775828) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: GUEST,Guest Chris At school (England), I was taught that either "Chas's Yard" OR "Chas' Yard" is correct - most British users would use the first one, I think, if only because it reflects what you tend to say ! I think I've heard before that in the USA, only "Chas' Yard" is considered correct. I've just editied an article to Wikipedia abour Narrowboats. I added quite a bit about the benefits (or not) of the different stern types. Ooops, just realised that I forgot to say that trad sterns leave more room inside the boat (when comparing boats of the same length). Have hired lots of boats, and now own a 1/12 share in one (three or four weeks a year). Our boat is based in Sowerby Bridge this year, but I have been on lots of canals (not many in the South). When considering a route, don't worry abour WHERE in the country it is, they are all lovely (OK, I can think of one or two I might warn new boaters off). The main things you neeed to decide are : (a) balance between town and country (b) do you condider locks a complete pain?, an interesting diversion if not too many?, part of the fun if not actually backbreaking?, "bring-em-on!!!" (c) do you want to cover distance and don't need diversions, or do you want to stop at every pub, village, shop, etc. That will help you choose where to go. Then think about the boats available from boatyards in that area. C |
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04 Jul 06 - 03:59 PM (#1775928) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Dave Swan Thanks, Chris. I'll check your Wikipedia. D |
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04 Jul 06 - 07:32 PM (#1776093) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Naemanson Oh, I forgot to mention that the boat we hired had a cruiser stern. It makes a difference. When under way the steersman has to stand the whole time. The cruiser stern gives him/her a place to lean or even sit while moving. Note: My wife is Japanese and had never ever considered going to England. Naturally it had never entered her mind that someday she would be at the con of a 54 foot boat moving gently down a canal! I have some wonderful pictures of her concentrating very hard on how to steer that thing in such narrow confines. Another note: Steering these boats is not difficult. However, when you encounter another boat in the canal for some reason people seem to lose their ability and you end up with bumper boats. I have a little bit of video showing a canal boat ahead of us steering nonchalantly down the cut and then going all to hell when encountering another boat. Very funny. |
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05 Jul 06 - 04:07 AM (#1776377) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Paul Burke That's because the canal is shallow and narrow, and the water passing from front to back has to go somewhere. When you pass another boat, the water tends to push you towards each other. You might have noticed that as your bows get beyond the stern of the oncoming boat, your boat tends to veer over in that direction unless you steer the other way in anticipation. |
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05 Jul 06 - 06:29 AM (#1776480) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Roger the Skiffler On my only canal holiday in UK we started from near Watford Gap and on 2nd day had flight of 10 locks! Even with my brother-in-law's previous experience & my 2 nephews to do donkey work it was a steep learning curve! Later French canal (Canal Du Midi) experience in same company was a doddle: manned locks and wider canals! RtS |
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05 Jul 06 - 09:46 AM (#1776608) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Roger the Skiffler Just remembered the name of the place where we started from: Braunston. RtS |
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05 Jul 06 - 09:57 AM (#1776617) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: skipy We where adrift for 3 days on the Brecon! Clutch gone & all of us (4 in total) to rat faced to do anything about it! Just played Triv & drank more! The other pair are catters! but not telling you who! Skipy |
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05 Jul 06 - 10:11 AM (#1776628) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Schantieman Definitely Chas's Steve |
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27 Jun 17 - 03:55 PM (#3863179) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: open mike I am just now researching info about canals, narrow boats and musisal tours. I seem to recall hearing of some trips centered around music (makeing it not just listening to others)on boats that went to festivals, pubs jam sessions, etc. any info on availability in 2017? |
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27 Jun 17 - 04:52 PM (#3863188) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Donuel Please tell us your adventure later. We need a good update to the saga of 'Three Men in a Boat'. |
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27 Jun 17 - 05:00 PM (#3863190) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: FreddyHeadey open mike : Neil Caldwell, "Canal Boat Crew" /Rivermusic http://mudcat.org/usersearch.cfm?who=Rivermusic has run a couple a year for the last couple of years(maybe more) https://m.facebook.com/groups/1673147499613534 His September 2017 trip thread.cfm?threadid=161617 |
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28 Jun 17 - 05:27 AM (#3863239) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Mr Red There are several Folk clubs and sessions near enough canals to walk. two that spring to mind are: Banbury FC which is on the Oxford canal and the FC is now in the Banbury Cross pub (near Banbury Cross!). And the Checkmates FC in Hopwas near Tamworth. Virtually on the canal in the Social Club. There are others try Mudcat thread on subject |
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28 Jun 17 - 09:14 AM (#3863286) Subject: RE: BS: UK Narrowboat hire From: Mo the caller There is a canal within walking distance (bit less than a mile)of Bedworth festival in November . |