Rob-M

For the first time we have arrived at Fradley Junction and had to moor on the moorings between Junction Lock and Middle Lock and pay £5. Only staying because my brother and his wife are meeting us here otherwise we would have probably gone elsewhere.

You made it back safely then. I'm sure it is a much valued experience for the D of E participants and they probably don't know how good or bad the crew are doing.

Yes it taught me to be prepared for a failure and now approach locks and mooring at a slow pace. It also helps when steering old working boats that don't like to stop quickly.

Whilst having a summer holiday with a friend when we finished school I had the prop shaft coupling separate on my parents boat as I entered one of Hatton locks going at a bit of a pace. It was the quickest I've ever got up a ladder and strapped a boat in. Didn't have a clear what had happened so tied the boat up and went to the pub to phone my dad to come out and fix it. Now I tend to enter locks quite sedately.

Looks tidy, not sure how it compares price wise but if it ticks your boxes and checks out ok then worth an offer.

Sounds like quite an initial cruise but you now have some experiences to look back on.

That looks very effective especially in the video.

Walked past this one on the way to work this morning...

They were two abreast both sides when I came through the stop lock with the Heritage Working Boats pair, the lady coming the other way wasn't quite sure where to go especially when I abandoned the motor leaving it floating free to work the butty through the lock.

The last couple of occasions going up and down the Worcester Birmingham we've chosen to use the Droitwich rather than the bottom end of the WB. The first time on the Droitwich was just after it had been restored and I said I wouldn't go back but I've been through four more times since then and it is growing on me. However, if you stop in Droitwich go to the Gardeners Arms if you want a pint rather than the Railway.

Last time we came out through Gloucester we had to wait whilst a boat was recovered from the weir. They picked a carpet up on the blades as they approached the lock and lost power.

Currently sat in a coffee shop with really annoying background music playing. Will be leaving soon.

The tap on the Shroppie is one of the slowest so it is probably quicker to go up the 21 and use the one in Broad Street basin.

Practising so you understand how your boat behaves in forward and reverse is the key.

I agree, plenty of cruising choice from Great Haywood, a few nice pubs in an easy half day or less boating, can be in Birmingham in two days. There is also Saul Junction marina in the group so ideal if you want to go down the Severn and the Gloucester and Sharpness without having to rush there and back. We have used moorings in all three of the marinas to extend holiday cruising.