On Thursday, September 06, 2007 2:42 AM [GMT+1=CET], Rhonda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> We are starting our journey at Stockton Top Marina. Some of the > places along the way include: > Napton Junction > Braunston Turn > Hawkesbury Junction > Marston Junction > Fazeley Junction > Salford Junction > Wolverhampton > Aldersley Junction > Autherley Junction > Wheaton Aston > Gnosall > Market Drayton > Audlem Locks > Middlewich Junction > Harding's Wood Junction > Harecastle Tunnel > Froghall > Stoke-on-Trent > Bratch Locks > Wordsley Junction > Netherton Tunnel > Birmingham > Hatton Locks > Leamington Spa > Arrive back at Stockton Top Marina. (Total distance 310 miles in 14 > 1/2 days.) Hi Rhonda Far be it from me to tell anybody what they should be doing on their holiday and notwithstanding the fact that that itinerary may be a little shorter than you think, I would suggest very strongly that you have a word with your husband. I am not sure that he realises that the route will call for you to travel for about 12 hours each and every day at a time of year when there are less than 11 hours of daylight. I hope he has found the location of all the 24-hour superstores on the route so that you can do your food-shopping at midnight. Seriously, this marathon is one that would daunt many experienced crews. As well as the almost 300 miles, there are also 331 locks. Hire companies generally reckon that it needs a 'fit crew' to undertake the approximately 100 miles and 100 locks of the Warwickshire Ring in a week - you are considering about 150 miles and 160 locks for two consecutive weeks. There are also two pinch-points (the Harecastle Tunnel and the Bratch Locks) which can only be done when the tunnel/lockkeeper is on duty, so you would have to carefully time your journey to ensure this and expect to be delayed by both even during the keepers hours. Sorry to say that I think you (or your husband) should think again. A route of not more than half this distance will give you enough of a challenge and, more importantly, the time and energy to enjoy your trip. I would hate for you to be over-stretched and not enjoy your rare visit to the waterways as much as you should. Are you aware of Nick Atty's Canal Route Planner that can be found at: http://www.canalplan.org.uk ? It's a very useful resource when working out the viability of your plans. Whatever you do decide to do, I hope you will let us know about your trip afterwards. -- Bob Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canals-list/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
