whitty1

It is what she said - how accurate that is, I don't know. I thought the former reservoir was fantastic! I immediately started googling brownfield sites for sale The programme was better than I thought it was going to be actually and covered various different ways of living mortgage-free. Will be interesting to see what's in the following episodes.

We used to moor at Marsh Farm. There were several live-a-boards there although strictly speaking they are residential. Not sure how could it is for transport though? Maybe get a bus from Hilperton?

Ours went up for £28.5k (which was how much we paid 5 years before!) and sold for £28k. I was amazed and delighted.

We got one each for our dachshunds after one jumped off the back and went under the boat. Thankfully we switched the boat off inmmediately and he surfaced close enough for us to grab him and fish him out. He recovered a lot quicker than we did! The other never left his bed on the roof so wasn't a danger but Malcs had his on whenever he was out of the cabin after that. Ours were from Active Hound.

Devizes has a leisure centre - it's a little bit of a walk from the canal but doable. http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisureandrecreation/leisureandsportscentres/lscdevizes.htm

We had our boat on the K&A for five years. I love it. I do the lock gates on my own and never had to call for help (I don't think? I don't remember needing to...) We cruised variously from Kintbury to Bristol but mainly between Seend and Bath. I think it's beautiful and quite often go just for a wander (as it's so close).

This. If we'd put ours on AD we would have put it up for over 5k less than we *accepted* at the brokers! We underestimated the market and because we knew all the bits we hadn't got done since we bought it, we took those into account and worked back from that price. In actuality we got exactly what we paid for it.

They were doing this on the Shroppie when we there last week as well. They look a lot safer.

Just wanted to say thanks for all your tips - we had a brilliant week last week. We went upto Audlem and back and had a great time. Sadly the Talbot is shut on Mondays so we didn't manage that one Was a total contrast to the K&A which is where we used to moor our boat - very, very peaceful compared to that! Thanks again.

Thanks Niles - that's really helpful. It's sounding like Worcester is going to be out but Gailey to Stourport is still in consideration. That's brilliant Junior - thank you! Will have a look at that in my book when I get home

Wow - great responses, thanks everyone. Hmm, stupidly I hadn't considered the river being in flood. That will alter things.... We really aren't too bothered about which way we go - will have a look at Gailey to Audlem, thanks Dave_P. I've obviously totally miscalculated the time we need to get to Worcester so thanks for pointing it out! We didn't really want the pressure of doing a ring but it's certainly something we can consider. See what the weather is like! An honest boozer sounds perfect Richard

We have a week booked from Gailey marina in a couple of weeks time. We want it to be nice and relaxing and so have decided that we are probably going to go down to Worcester and back. Does anyone have any "must see" locations on this route? Also any recommendations for good pubs (we will have our two dachshunds with us so would need dog-friendly places) or eateries? Any other hints & tips? We are really looking forward to this as it's almost a year to the day since we sold our own boat - will be nice to see a different canal/end of the country in advance.

I can't see your original photo Nigel as photobucket is barred on my work PC but is it this one: http://victoriana.co.nz/product/byg6-bygone-days/ On p4 of the Ampersand designs there is a Christmassy boat too.... ETA - Forgot to say Happy Birthday too!

My two dachshies are insured with Animal Friends Insurance. Pedro is now classed as an "old dog" so his policy has changed slightly. The premium hasn't gone up but we will have to pay 30% of the total bill of any claim. I agree that it's very difficult to compare when the policies are so different. Having said that, AF have been very helpful when speaking to them directly. Malcolm has had to have a heart scan (thankfully all ok) and it's been noted on his file, but again doesn't affect premiums.

I love this! It's before my time so I've never heard them before