--- In [email protected], "Rhonda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I > am saving some of these emails for reference purposes. Thanks! > Hi Rhonda
What no-one else seems to have mentioned is that in October it is literally "fall" here and on a leafy canal freshly fallen leaves can slow you down considerably. They can make a sort of emulsion just below the surface and clog the prop very efficiently. A few years ago when travelling from Greensforge to Stourport to dry dock, accompanied by friends on another boat we had to literally haul the boats out of several locks and frequently (every 10 minutes at times) apply reverse thrust to clear their props. It took us about 3 times as long as usual to navigate some parts of the trip. The Staffs and Worcs is very leafy in parts, and so is the Shroppie, so this may affect your travelling times in some places, according to the exact time of your trip relative to the leaf fall. It doesn't last for ever and the leaves eventually sink. I too gave a double take when you rehearsed your route, as it was a lot too much hard work and no play for me, but if you are paying for a fortnight's hire then you always want to go as far as possible in that very expensive time ;-) We all tried to do that when we hired and got a lot more laid back as we got our own boats, and then even more so when we didn't have work/holiday constraints to worry about - speaking personally there! Have a good trip. Regards Ann nb Margarita
