Leaving Soon

The winter (what winter?) is officially gone with the commencement of British Summer Time last Sunday. And we are soon to be gone too.   Proposed itinerary is in the panel to the right.  We are staying in the southern half of the network as we have so many commitments this year. Hope to see some of you around.

Irresponosible !

I guess that every canal boater has encountered them sometime and experience ones steer clear of them as much as possiblee - stag parties.  Six years ago we encountered one at a bridge on the southern Oxford Canal. Despite sounding my horn on approach to the bridge, stopping short of the bridge despite being their first - and eventually reversing - their hire boat still managed to dent our 6mm steel plate."It's a contact sport" was their only comment.The initial contact at the hire company was even worse because my shouting to stop the drunken lout in the front cockpit from attempting to fend us off with a pole he considered to put us in the wrong.  I soon dispelled that thought from his head and the repairs were carried out quite satisfactorily in due course.

You may imagine my feelings recently when I discovered that one hire company is actively promoting their boats for stag parties. 

Canal Boat Weekend – Latest Craze!

Here’s your chance to spend your stag/hen weekend like no other! A unique canal party departing from various points throughout the UK. Join the boating community and navigate the locks whilst and cruising to waterside pubs. Experience a weekend like no other!
Stop at endless pubs on the way for a refreshing tipple or some food!
2-3 night cruises are available and all bookings include fuel deposit, damage waiver and cancellation protection fee.


 http://www.itv.com/news/west/story/2014-03-16/barge-capsizes-during-stag-party/

This week we saw another example of what  stopping at endless pubs can result in, when a boat overturned in a lock in Bath. Fortunately no-one was injured but the all-male crew were more concerned to recover their beer that they were to shut the paddles which would have prevented the boat from turning turtle.  Because of its location and the position of the boat the pound below will have to be drained after first rehousing the wildlife therein.  total cost is estimated at between £10,000 and £20,000. 
Wouldn't it be comforting if an error was found in the booking which rendered the damage waiver inoperable?

Where to Eat in Bath

If you are spending a holiday in  Bath and wish to eat at local establishments there are many to choose from. However it is quite possible to find a bad one every day. To help our guests avoid this we recommend the following personally (in no particular order)

King William pub
36 Thomas Street (off London Road)
01225 428 096
Restaurant upstairs and meals available in the bar.  Whatever your choice this is always a treat.
Don't be put off by the external appearance of the building: the dining experience is superb.
No car park but who brings a car to Bath?

Riverside Cafe
Below Pultney Bridge, by the Weir
01225 480 532
Unrivalled location.   Good honest food. Open daytime all year and evenings too in the tourist season.

The Eastern Eye
8A Quiet Street
01225 422 323
Prize-winning Indian cuisine in a stunning Georgian dining room.

Cafe de Globe Moroccan Restaurant
1A North Parade
01225 466 437
Wonderful food and service.

Acorn Vegetarian Restaurant (formerly DeMuth's)
2 North Parade Passage
01225 446 059
Imaginative veggie dishes.  Must book!

SalaThai
14 Pierrepont Street
01225 484 663
Whilst mum does the cooking, the daughters wait table.
Good value Thai food especially the lunch menu in the week.

Peking Chinese Restaurant
1-2 New Street, Kingsmead Square
01225 466 337
Bath's oldest Chinese restaurant and for good reason.

Teahouse Emporium
22 New Bond Street
01225 33 44 02
Over 100 teas to buy, or drink downstairs served with  a digital timer to ensure you drink it at the optimum point.  An equally impressive choice of coffees too.


Guildhall Delli
Stall 8, The Guildhall Market. Near High Street entrance
01225  427 195
Local food for you picnic or to take home

Yak-Yeti-Yak
12 Pierrepont Street
01225 44 22 99
Authentic Nepalese cuisine


There may be many other establishments equally deserving but these are the ones we have tried ourselves on several occasions and are happy to recommend personally.