|
|
|
If like me you find half the fun of a holiday is in the anticipation boating is ideal. We always spend many hours looking at our route as we prefer circular routes, we work out roughly where we need to be at any time to stay on schedule and although we often don't stop exactly where planned we can relax in the knowledge we are on time. With a there and back of course you can just cruise half your time, turn around then cruise back, very little planning needed unless you have a specific end target. Many of the hire companies suggest a selection of routes that are achievable from their bases - make use of their expertise. There are many good guide books available, notably Nicholsons and Pearsons. Out of preference I use Nicholsons, the pictures are clear, the detail level is just right and they are in OS scale so easy to compare to OS Landranger maps. They include an area around the canal that is in easy walking distance so you can plan for shopping, pubs, restaurants etc. not on the canal side. GeoProjects now have an excellent range of highly detailed publications too and there are several companies now offering videos of many of the more popular routes. How far can you go ? The general rule is to add up all of the locks on your route, add to this the number of miles, then divide the whole lot by 3. This assumes you will cruise at around 3 MPH (max permitted is 4MPH) and it will take you around 20 minutes to work through a lock. Experience (you'll want to go again) will tell you if you can adjust this figure. We normally cruise as two adults plus however many kids are with us - varies between 0 and 3 and given a clear run at things can normally work through a lock in less than 10 minutes. This is however our choice, we have worked as a team for many years and we NEVER RUSH. Add to this schedule at least an hour a day for filling up with water, shopping for next day's bacon and eggs etc.
|
Last updated 8th Oct 2006
Site maintained by www.peakbusiness.co.uk