Hi all,

Was hoping for opinions.... Two adults accompanied by two dogs new to the waterways just booked a ten night holiday from Avlechurch Marina in Worcestershire in April. It seems that the below are our cruising route options. Any recommendations or thoughts?

THE BLACK COUNTRY RING/THE STOURPORT RING/ DRAYTON MANOR/AVON RING/WARWICKSHIRE RING

Hi Debbie and welcome. Is "Avlechurch" anywhere near Alvechurch?
Beware of tackling a ring if you are new to boating, as once you've set off you feel that you have to go the whole way round it, and you may find that you have to do too many hours per day to stay on schedule (unless the dogs learn to do the locks very quickly).
Choose a "there and back" route, then you will not need to keep to a schedule: simply, half way through your days, turn round and head back to base. You will find that the canal looks quite different when you are heading in the opposite direction!
If you want to race, there's the M25. Your holiday should be about slowing down your pace of life. Perhaps to(wards) Stratford on Avon or Braunston (the fascinating and historic hub of the midlands canals) and back - look at a web site called Canalplan which will give you detailed routes.
Mike

I tend to agree with Mike. We offer 'Ring' holidays but emphasise they are really only for experienced boaters who can cope with every eventuality should timings slip en-route. We have potential guests call saying that the planner (with some tweaking) says they can do the South Pennine Ring via the HNC in 12 days. This would be virtually impossible except perhaps in late June when the days are at their longest - the key issue inexperienced boaters forget is taking consideration of the tunnel times, grounding on the HNC, refilling pounds and potential flooding on the rivers.

Do an out and back and enjoy.

Says he who is nailing it to Sheffield and back in April in under 2 weeks to collect our new shell !!