Canal Holidays

Jump straight to: 2005, 2000, 1995, 1990, 1985 or When time began...

August 2009 - "Savoy Hill IV"

61ft x 6ft 10in (7 berths) - Built 2003

Duration
Saturday 15 August - Saturday 22 August
?? Miles / ?? Locks

Hired From
BBC Club - Canal Cruising
(Picked up from Kings Bromley Marina, Lichfield Road, Bromley Hayes, Staffordshire WS13 8HT)

Crew List
Ron Bloomfield and others!

Route
Bromley Hayes and more...

Waterways
Trent and Mersey Canal

Memorable Moments
???

June 2008 - "??"

Crew Photo

Duration
Friday ?? June - Friday ?? June
?? Miles / ?? Locks

Hired From
Alvechurch Boat Centres, Wrenbury Mill, Wrenbury, Cheshire CW5 8HG

Crew List
Ron Bloomfield, John Foster, Gina Edwards, Angela Collins, Kay and David

Route
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Trevor, Llangollen and more...

Waterways
Llangollen Canal

Memorable Moments
Ron nearly being blown into Pontcysyllte Aqueduct's water trough whilst crossing during a gale.

July 2004 - "Savoy Hill IV"

Savoy Hill IV Crew

61ft x 6ft 10in (7 berths) - Built 2003

Duration
Saturday 17th July - Saturday 24th July
91.25 Miles / 118 Locks

Hired From
BBC Club - Canal Cruising
(Picked up from Alvechurch Boat Centres, Alvechurch Marina, Scarfield Wharf, Alvechurch, Worcestershire B48 7SQ)

Crew List
Richard Ayres*, Ron Bloomfield, Bob Ferris, John Foster, Peter Page*

Route
Alvechurch, King's Norton Junction, Farmers Bridge Junction, Smethwick Junction, Spon Lane Junction, Tipton Junction, Dudley Tunnel Entrance, Tipton Junction, Tipton Factory Junction, Deepfields Junction, Horseley Fields Junction, Aldersley Junction, The Bratch, Stourton Junction, Wolverley, Stourport, Holt Fleet Bridge, Worcester, Tibberton, Hanbury Junction, Tardebigge, Alvechurch, Hopwood, Alvechurch

Waterways
Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Birmingham Canal Navigations, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, River Severn

Memorable Moments
Steam train ride on the Severn Valley Railway to Bridgnorth. Not visiting Cadbury World. Spending quality time with the new loo (fixing it).

September 2003 - "Savoy Hill II"

Crew Photo

Duration
Saturday 6th September - Saturday 13th September

Hired From
BBC Club - Canal Cruising
(Picked up from Barton Turns Marina, Barton under Needwood, Burton on Trent DE13 8EA)

Crew
Richard Ayres*, Ron Bloomfield, Bob Ferris, John Foster, Peter Page*

Route
Barton Turn, Fradley Junction, Fazeley Junction, Atherstone, Nuneaton, Marston Junction, Snarestone, Marston Junction, Nuneaton, Atherstone, Fazeley Junction, Hopwas, Fradley Junction, Barton Turn

Waterways
Trent & Mersey Canal, Coventry Canal, Ashby Canal

Memorable Moments
Hitting the bank (hard) instead of going around a corner - watched by three school girls.

July 2002 - "Pennine"

Pennine Crew

69ft (12 berths)

Duration
Saturday 13th July - Saturday 20th July
123.5 miles / 132 locks

Hired From
Union Canal Carriers, Braunston Pump House, Dark Lane, Braunston, Daventry NN11 7HJ

Crew
Richard Ayres, Ron Bloomfield, Gina Edwards, Shannon Evans, Bob Ferris, John Foster, Gary Lee, Jane Newing, Peter Page

Route
Braunston, Braunston Turn, Hillmorton, Newbold on Avon, Brinklow, Hawkesbury Junction, Coventry, Hawkesbury Junction, Marston Junction, Nuneaton, Atherstone, Polesworth, Fazeley Junction, Curdworth, Salford Junction, Farmers Bridge, Kings Norton Junction, Kingswood Junction, Warwick, Long Itchington, Napton Junction, Braunston Turn, Norton Junction, Braunston

Waterways
Grand Union Canal, Oxford Canal, Coventry Canal, Birmingham Canal Navigations, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Stratford & Avon Canal

Memorable Moments
Cadbury World visit.

September 2001 - "Westmorland"

Westmorland Crew 1

Westmorland Crew 2

56ft (10 berths) - Built 1994

Duration
Monday 10th September - Monday 24th September
159.75 miles / 224 locks

Hired From
Shire Cruisers, The Wharf, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire HX6 2AG

Crew
Richard Ayres, Ron Bloomfield*, Gina Edwards*, Shannon Evans*, Bob Ferris, Colin Fitton*, John Foster*, Jane Newing*, Peter Page

Route
Ashton-under-Lyne, Dukinfield, Romiley, Marple Junction, Higher Poynton, Bollington, Macclesfield, Bosley Top Lock, Congleton, Hardings Wood (Kidsgrove), Wheelock, Wardle Branch Junction (Middlewich), Broken Cross, Anderton Lift, Preston Brook, Stockton Heath, Lymm, Broadheath, Waters Meeting Junction (Stretford), Barton, Worsley, Barton, Waters Meeting Junction (Stretford), Castlefield Junction, Ducie Street (Manchester), Fairfield Junction, Dukinfield, Stalybridge, Mossley, Uppermills, Dobcross, Diggle, Marsden, Slaithwaite, Sellers / Bates, Huddersfield, Cooper Bridge Junction, Brighouse, Elland, Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Leddenden Foot, Sowerby Bridge

Waterways
Ashton Canal, Peak Forest Canal, Macclesfield Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal, Bridgewater Canal, Leigh Branch, Rochdale Canal, Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Huddersfield Broad Canal, Calder & Hebble Navigation

Memorable Moments
Being told "you're a long way from home" at Kidsgrove. Anderton Boat Lift visit. Aromatic smell of Kellog's Trafford Park cereal factory. Meal at Manchester's "Persia" restaurant. Awaking to find unit base for "Cold Feet" camped next to us in Manchester city centre. Hearing about 9/11 (the New York City terrorist attack) on the peaceful canal towpath. Taking a dip to check the rudder at Stalybridge. The restored Standedge Tunnel (all 5.2km & 3.5hrs of it). Marsden to central Huddersfield in a single day - a record for the newly restored canal (and a credit to the restorers).

June 2000 - "Cumberland"

Cumberland Crew 1

Cumberland Crew 2

64ft x 6ft 10in (8+2 berths)

Duration
Saturday 10th June - Saturday 24th June
182.5 miles / 210 locks

Hired From
Anglo-Welsh, Avon Quay, Cumberland Basin, Bristol BS1 6XL

Crew
Richard Ayres, Ron Bloomfield, Phil Carne*, Richard Chandler*, Nigel Clough, Shannon Evans*, Bob Ferris*, Sabine Grothe*, Jane Newing, Peter Page

Route
Cumberland Basin, Hanham Lock, Bath Bottom Lock, Avoncliff (Bradford-on-Avon), Foxhangers, Pewsey Wharf, Great Bedwyn, Hungerford, Bulls Lock (Newbury), Aldermaston Wharf, Burghfield Bridge, Reading Junction, Burghfield Bridge, Aldermaston Wharf, Bulls Lock (Newbury), Hungerford, Great Bedwyn, Pewsey Wharf, Foxhangers, Avoncliff (Bradford-on-Avon), Bath Bottom Lock, Hanham Lock, Cumberland Basin

Waterways
River Avon (Tidal), River Avon, Kennet & Avon Canal, River Kennet

Memorable Moments
Some crew learning German and others learning English. Strong currents providing lots of "moments" throughout the trip. Reading's County Lock being flooded. Air-traffic meltdown causing crew to sleep rough at Heathrow airport.

September 1999 - "Lancaster"

Lancaster Crew

69ft x 6ft 10in (8+2 berths)

Duration
Saturday 11th September - Saturday 18th September
124.5 miles / 72 locks

Hired From
Anglo-Welsh, High Peak Wharf, Hibbert Street, New Mills, Cheshire SK12 3JJ

Crew
Richard Ayres, Ron Bloomfield, Phil Carne, Bob Ferris, John Foster, Jane Newing, Peter Page, Simon Pilbeam

Route
New Mills, Marple Junction, Bollington, Macclesfield, Congleton, Hardings Wood (Kidsgrove), Etruria Junction, Hazelhurst Junction, Froghall (Consall), Hazelhurst Junction, Etruria Junction, Barlaston (Wedgewood), Etruria Junction, Hardings Wood (Kidsgrove), Congleton, Macclesfield, Bollington, Marple Junction, New Mills, Whaley Bridge, Bugsworth Basin, New Mills

Waterways
Peak Forest Canal, Macclesfield Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal, Caldon Canal

Memorable Moments
Beautiful scenery on the Caldon and Peak Forest Canals. Picking blackberries on the hill near Froghall. Chasing the boat after it left without us. Wedgewood factory visit.

June / July 1997 - "Honey Buzzard" & "Roseate Tern"

Crew Photo

Duration
Saturday 28th June - Saturday 5th July

Hired From
Alvechurch Boat Centres, Wrenbury Mill, Wrenbury, Cheshire CW5 8HG

Crew
Richard Ayres, Lesley Clough, Nigel Clough, Peter Clough, John Foster, Samantha Lydiate
- and -
Marie Bourke, Phil Carne, Jane Newing, Peter Page, Paul Scheepstra, Elizabeth Terry

Waterways
Shropshire Union Canal, Montgomery Canal, Llangollen Canal

Memorable Moments
Nobody voting for this route!

September 1996 - "Surrey"

Surrey Crew

56ft (7 berth) - Built 1986

Duration
One week in September

Hired From
Shire Cruisers, The Wharf, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire HX6 2AG

Crew
Richard Ayres, Nigel Clough, Wendy Jefferson, Peter Page, Dawn, Rosemary Clausen?

Waterways
Rochdale Canal, Calder & Hebble Navigation, Huddersfield Broad Canal

Memorable Moments
So much water we couldn't empty locks. Children with a local accent.

September 1992 - "Sir Ulfius" & "Lady Emily"

Sir Ulfius & Lady Emily Crews

Duration
One jinxed week in September

Hired From
Black Prince

Crew
Alan Ayres*, Richard Ayres, Alan Bishop, Louise Bishop, David Catchpole, Nigel Clough, Andrew Harvey, Lynda Mawson, Peter Page
- and -
Ron Bloomfield, Tony Flavin, Margaret Frost, Mark Judson, Helen Robinson, Trevor Robinson

Route
Included Braunston, Foxton, Market Harborough and Stoke Bruerne

Waterways
Grand Union Canal (Main Line and Market Harborough Arm) and others?

Memorable Moments
First breakdown occurring within sight of the boatyard. Subsequent breakdowns occurring in the middle of nowhere. Crew jumping ship at Market Harborough. Walking over the top of Braunston Tunnel and being unable to find the canal on the hill's far side.

July / August 1991 - "Tawny Owl"

Tawny Owl Crew

Duration
Saturday 27th July - Saturday 10th August
263 miles / 170 locks

Hired From
Alvechurch Boat Centres, Anderton Marina, Uplands Road, Anderton, Cheshire CW9 6AQ

Crew
Alan Ayres*, Richard Ayres, Ron Bloomfield, David Catchpole, Nicholas Chapa*, Nigel Clough, Tony Flavin, John Foster, Margaret Frost, Mark Judson, Lynda Mawson, Peter Page

Route
Anderton, Preston Brook, Lymm, Timperley, Stretford, Worsley, Stretford, Manchester, Dukinfield, Marple, Bollington, Macclesfield, Congleton, Kidsgrove, Etruria, Kidsgrove, Wheelock, Middlewich, Barbridge, Hurleston, Grindley Brook, Whixall, Ellesmere, Chirk, Trevor, Llangollen, Trevor, Chirk, Ellesmere, Whixall, Grindley Brook, Hurleston, Barbridge Junction, Beeston, Chester, Beeston, Barbridge Junction, Middlewich, Anderton

Waterways
Trent & Mersey Canal, Bridgewater Canal, Rochdale Canal, Ashton Canal, Peak Forest Canal, Macclesfield Canal, Wardle Canal, Shropshire Union Canal, Llangollen Canal

Memorable Moments
Manchester's rent boys, drug addicts & cheeky children.

April 1991 - "Bravado"

Bravado Crew

Duration
One very "dry" week in April

Hired From
Brummagem Boats, Sherborne Street Wharf, Sherborne Street, Birmingham B16 8DE

Crew
Richard Ayres, Alan Bishop, Louise Bishop, David Catchpole, Nigel Clough, Tony Flavin, Margaret Frost, Lynda Mawson, Peter Page and a local Cart Horse*

Route
Included Oozell's Street Loop, Smethwick, Dudley Tunnel, Netherton Tunnel, Aldersley Junction, Worcester, Tardebigge and Pleck (not necessarily in that order)

Waterways
Birmingham Canal Navigations including Birmingham Canal Main Line, Wednesbury Old Canal, Walsall Canal, Wyrley & Essington Canal, Staffordshire & Worcestershire, Stourbridge Canal (abortive), Birmingham & Worcester Canal

Memorable Moments
Encountering a completely empty pound above our first BCN lock. Getting stuck under a bridge on dumped coping stones, then being bow-hauled by a cart-horse. Bored CCTV operators following our progress. A padlock barring our planned route back to the boat yard - forcing a wide detour up the Tardebigge Flight.

September 1990 - "Stafford"

Stafford Crew

Duration
???

Hired From
Anglo Welsh, Mill Lane, Great Haywood, Staffordshire ST18 0RJ

Crew
Ron Bloomfield, David Catchpole, Nigel Clough, Tony Flavin, John Foster, Lynda Mawson, Peter Page, Trevor Robinson

Route
Great Haywood, Stourton Junction, Parkhead Junction, Dudley, Brierley Hill Junction, Netherton Tunnel, Farmers Bridge Junction, Salford Junction, Gravelley Hill, Fazeley Junction, Tamworth, Fradley Junction, Rugeley, Great Haywood

Waterways
Staffordshire & Worcestershire, Stourbridge Canal, Birmingham Canal Navigations (Dudley No. 1), Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, Coventry Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal

Memorable Moments
Tony's typewriter (accordion). The embryonic monorail at Merry Hill shopping centre and having to scramble down the bank to get to it (and up again with the shopping).

July 1990 - "Garsdale" & "Littondale"

Garsdale Crew

Littondale Crew

Duration
Two weeks in July
304.5 miles / 182 locks

Hired From
IML, Hillmorton Wharf, Crick Road, Hillmorton, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 4PW

Crew
Alan Ayres, Richard Ayres, Ron Bloomfield, Marie Bourke, David Catchpole, Nicholas Chapa, Nigel Clough, Lynda Mawson
- and -
Brian Addison, Julian Ellis, Tony Flavin, John Foster, Margaret Frost, Mark Judson, Jackie Porter, Allan Stimson

Route
Hillmorton, Braunston Junction, Napton Junction, Fenny Compton, Banbury, Aynho, Lower Heyford, Oxford Canal, Oxford, Abingdon, Goring, Reading, Henley, Marlow, Maidenhead, Windsor, Weybridge, Kingston upon Thames, Brentford, St Katherine Docks, Limehouse Basin, Hertford Canal Junction, Little Venice, Bulls Bridge, Cowley Peachey Junction, Rickmansworth, Berkhampstead, Marsworth Junction, Linslade, Cosgrove, Stoke Bruerne, Gayton Junction, Weedon, Norton Junction, Braunston Junction, Hillmorton

Waterways
River Thames (tidal), River Thames, Grand Union Canal, Regents Canal, Oxford Canal and others

Memorable Moments
Water fights. Being the first boat through Teddington Lock after its refurbishment. Being a tourist attraction at St. Katherine's. Marriage proposals.

1989 - "Kenilworth"

Kenilworth Crew

Duration
One week?

Hired From
Anglo-Welsh, Stratford Road, Wootton Wawen, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire B95 6BZ

Crew
Brian Addison, Richard Ayres, David Catchpole, Julian Ellis, Tony Flavin, Margaret Frost, Mark Judson, Lynda Mawson, Jackie Porter, Glenys Powel, Allan Stimson

Route
Avon Ring including Worcester, Stratford upon Avon

Memorable Moments
Stunt Duck (a male) being abducted from "the other boat" and then having babies. Mop & water fights on the roof.

1989 - "???"

Crew Photo

Duration
One week?

Hired From
Anglo-Welsh, Stratford Road, Wootton Wawen, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire B95 6BZ

Crew
Rowena, Ron Bloomfield, Nigel Clough, Hazel Davy, John Foster, Jane Newing

Route
Avon Ring including Worcester, Stratford upon Avon

Memorable Moments
???

1988 - "Cromwell"

Cromwell Crew

Duration
???

Hired From
Anglo-Welsh

Crew
Ron Bloomfield, David Catchpole, Julian Ellis, Tony Flavin, Lynda Mawson, Glenys Powel, Allan Stimson and one other!

Route
Included Birmingham, Black Country Museum and Netherton Tunnel

Memorable Moments
???

198? - "???" and "???"

Duration
Two weeks

Hired From
Inverness

Crew
Ron Bloomfield, Tony Flavin, John Foster, Trevor Robinson, Helen Peartree
- and -
Jane Newing, Allan Stimson, Glenys Powel

Route
???

Waterways
Caledonian Canal

Memorable Moments
Some people getting breakfast on both boats. Visit to the whisky distillery at Fort William.

1986 - "Henry Palmerston" & "Bristol"

Henry Palmerston & Bristol Crews

Duration
One week?

Hired From
Black Prince

Crew
Ron Bloomfield, Marie Bourke, David Catchpole, Nigel Clough, Julian Ellis, Tony Flavin, Martin Honeybell, Jane Newing, Glenys Powel, Ed Self, Alison Silburn, Kelvin Silburn, Allan Stimson & one other!

Route
Congleton, Harecastle Tunnel and other wet bits

Memorable Moments
Hitting a moored boat on the bend just after the Congleton Aqueduct / Embankment. "Bristol" (a heavy, wooden-sided boat built by Harland & Wolf in 1922) wouldn't turn left! Ending the holiday with a bruised side from leaning into the tiller.

June 1986 - "Cardiff"

Cardiff Crew

Duration
???

Hired From
Anglo-Welsh, Market Harborough ?

Crew
Steve Bittlestone, Ron Bloomfield, David Catchpole, Nigel Clough, Peter Davies, Neil Espley, Tony Flavin, Jane Newing, Stewart Veasey

Route
???

Memorable Moments
???

1985? - "Balmoral"

Some of Balmoral's Crew

Duration
Two weeks

Hired From
Anglo-Welsh

Crew
Ron Bloomfield, Marie Bourke, David Catchpole, Tony Flavin?, Jane Newing, Glenys Powel?, Kelvin Silburn, Allan Stimson

Route
Included Limehouse Basin

Waterways
River Thames (tidal) and others

Memorable Moments
Trip to Cowley (Abingdon?) car factory. Scale of Limehouse Basin. The Thames at dawn on a cold morning, chugging under Tower Bridge and past HMS Belfast. Running out of fuel.

1982? / 83? - "???"

Some of the Crew

Duration
???

Hired From
???

Crew
Steve Branton, David Catchpole, Phil Easton?, Tony Flavin, Nigel Fletton, Dave Gosling, Kelvin Silburn, Allan Stimson, Ian Woods and two others

Route
Included Whaley Bridge

Memorable Moments
???

* = Only aboard for part of the holiday

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