Canal Boat Holidays on the Four Counties Ring

By Abbie Bacchus

A circular route which is perhaps slightly more challenging in terms of it's level of difficulty, but well worth the effort!

The Four Counties Ring satisfies boating holiday goers looking for rural views, with the Cheshire plains visible from your narrowboat, and pastoral scenes amid the Cheshire locks climbing to the panoramic views at 'Heartbreak Hill'. The ring route offers a diverse mix of wildlife, countryside views, quaint villages and city life.

Which canals are part of the Four Counties Ring?

Shropshire Union Canal (1827)
Middlewich Branch (1833)
Wardle Canal (1829)
Trent & Mersey Canal (1777)
Staffs & Worcs Canal (1771)
Cruising up the Shropshire Union Canal with it's rolling countryside, the southern stretch of this navigation offers lock free cruising until Market Drayton, a traditional market town. The town is full of 17th Century architecture and has been home to gingerbread for the last 200 years. Cruising north takes you through Adderley and to Nantwich, a historic town just south of Hursleton Junction containing over a hundred listed buildings. Passing through the town by boat you cross the Nantwich aqueduct and north to the Middlewich Branch.

Middlewich is set in the middle of the Cheshire salt industry, from the canal you can see mountains of salt next to the remains of Roman salt sites. Middlewich is home to an impressive set of historic halls and gardens, such as Little Moreton Hall, one of the most famous Tudor Halls in England, Rode Hall and Dorfold Hall. Cruising from Middlewich to Stoke-On-Trent via the Trent & Mersey is the most lock heavy section of the ring. The Cheshire Locks are a flight of 26 locks dating back to the 1770's which raise the canal from the Cheshire Plain to the Summit Level at Kidsgrove.

The Trent & Mersey Canal is home to the spooky Harecastle Tunnel just north of Stoke on Trent, which spans approximately 1.75 miles. Mooring just south of Stoke-on-Trent you can explore the city on foot, spending time discovering the famous Staffordshire Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and Wedgewood Museum. Staffordshire is perfect for foodies, Stoke-On-Trent has plenty of fine food restaurants & every October the market town on Stone hosts a 3 day Food and Drink Festival to celebrate the best of Staffordshire's local food produce.

As you pass the Haywood Junction onto the Staffordshire & Worcester (Staffs & Worcs) Canal the waterways widen, rumour has it that when this section of the canal was built the landowner had insisted that the canal be widened as he thought narrow canals were unsightly! This is now referred to as Tixall Wide just southeast of Great Haywood. The Staffs & Worcs Canal stretches approximately 20.5 miles from the Haywood Junction to Autherley Junction, where to continue on the Four Counties ring, you cruise north back onto the Shropshire Union Canal. There are 12 locks on this stretch including a flight of four locks just as you cruise past Gailey.

We would recommend a 1 week holiday minimum for those wishing to complete this ring route, depending on daylight hours and level of experience. Although 10 days would be make for a more comfortable cruising schedule as to achieve this route in a week you would need to cruise approximately 9.5 hours a day. For those with no previous experience who really want to do a ring route rather than an out and back journey, there are shorter circular routes that we would recommend you try first, such as the Droitwich Ring or Birmingham Ring.

If you would like to talk to one of our friendly team with regards to Canal boat holidays or any of the boating holidays we offer, such as Norfolk Broads boat hire, please do get in touch. The staff at Waterways Holidays are experienced boaters, and are more than happy to discuss boating holidays with you. Our number is 01252 796400 and we are open 7 days a week.

Using Canal Holiday Guides to Make Your Narrowboat Holiday Run Smoothly

By Cliff K Bayliss

I tend to over prepare. I get all the canal maps and guides, and plan where we will moor, where the best pubs are, where the water points are located. When the markets are on, where the local buses go, what is going on in the towns.

You don't have to go to that extreme, but a little preparation will help your narrow boat holiday run smoothly.

Most important to have is a good, informative Canal Guide for the canals you are cruising.

Which one do you buy?

There are three main cruising guides: Nicholson, Pearson, and Waterways World.

So let's look at them all.

Nicholson probably have the largest range of Canal Guides to the British canals available, and have a good reputation. They are bound in a solid cover, (all are red) and some have a spiral spine.

We have not used them a lot, but many fellow boaters do. Our share owned "Stella" had a full set on board and we found them easy to use and robust.

Some years back they were the 'Boat Owners Guide", with the other guides being relegated for Hire Boaters use. This is not quite the case now. Nicolsons Guides cover all the Canals and rivers of the U.K with good descriptions, lots of photos. The maps run from the top of the page, to the bottom.

Waterways World has had a checkered career in the canal guide market. We used them exclusively for our first ever trip in '85, and still have three of their original guides. For years waterways World have been the leading Waterways magazine, but for some reason they disappeared from the guide scene. Their Canal Guides are back now, featuring the Llangollen, Grand Union (South), Shropshire Union, and Oxford. I don't like the new format quite as much as the old style, which I found easier to follow. And I liked the ads! However, they are bound in a sturdy wire bound cover, to lay nicely on the boats roof for easy reference. They also run from top of the page to bottom, with the colour map on the right hand page. Lovely colour photos, (typical of Waterways World) there are more canal guides planned from them.

Pearsons is our canal guide choice. We have been using Pearsons since our '85 trip, and have continued to do so. Their very detailed maps run from left to right, with the corresponding text underneath, the only guides to be in landscape format. It is clear informative and accurate. At the top of each page, is the number of miles travelled, the number of locks, and the time taken to travel that particular length of canal. We find this particularly useful when planning our trip.

Pearson writes in a unique, entertaining style, (e.g. "Foxton Village basks in the sun like a sleek cat that has just had two helping of cream"), with handy notes on each village and the facilities in the town. Their guides cover the majority of canals in the U.K., including Llangollen, Shroppie, Oxford, Grand Union and Trent and Mersey. My only problem with the Pearsons, is the covers tend to part company with the rest of the pages after a few outings. But this is easily fixed with a stapler. Otherwise, we love them!

Which one is best?

It is entirely personal. Have a look at each one, talk to other boaters, and make a decision. We have a selection of all of them. So... have fun choosing, and Happy Cruising!

You can find lots more about your narrowboat holiday by visiting: http://www.great-canal-and-river-holidays.com

South-England: The Kennet and Avon Canal and the Caen Hill Locks in Devizes

The Kennet and Avon Canal is a canal in southern England. The name may refer to either the route of the original Kennet and Avon Canal Company, which linked the River Kennet at Newbury to the River Avon at Bath, or to the entire navigation between the River Thames at Reading and the Floating Harbour at Bristol, including the earlier improved river navigations of the River Kennet between Reading and Newbury and the River Avon between Bath and Bristol.

Today the canal is a tourism destination. Boating, with both narrowboats and cruisers, is popular, particularly in the summer months.

The Three Magpies Pub On The Kennet And Avon Canal

The Three Magpies pub is a beautiful oldie worldie pub just a short walk from the Kennet canal towpath. If you stop at the Foxhunter Wharf at bridge 149 there is a short quiet road to walk down. Or you can stop at bridge 148, but this is a far busier road, not ideal for families with young children. Both ways are about the same distance for walking, about 4 minutes from the bridge.

The Three Magpies pub is brilliantly situated for the boater, because it is close to the Cean Hill Locks, so you can either have a hearty meal the night before you go through the locks, or you can enjoy a relaxing meal at the end of a long day after completing the course of 29 locks. J.M. Pearson & sons Ltd says “Five to six hours being considered a good performance for clearance of the flight” and that deserves a well cooked meal in anybody’s book.

The Three Magpies does indeed cook a very good meal, serving food at both lunchtimes and evenings. The menu is nothing out of the ordinary, but the food is cooked well and there’s plenty of it. They pride themselves on quality of their food and value for money and they do deliver on this claim.

The pub has a very friendly atmosphere and the décor is an interesting style of displays of collections. The eclectic appearance reminded me of an antique shop in Lechlade-on-Thames. With so many interesting nick-knacks on every surface with space, it does give you something to look and chat about whilst you are waiting for your meal to arrive.

See if you spot the fish tank in the rafters in the dinning area. It does spark off conversations of the practicalities of having a fish tank so high up. It’s also great for pulling the leg’s of the fishermen in the crew who still have yet to catch a fish bigger than one swimming in the tank.

The service at the Three Magpies is very good, we were very quickly seated and given menus, and we didn’t have to wait long for food to arrive. A speedy meal is important for a hungry boat crew.

The beer too was very good, serving Wadworth beers and ales, which of course is locally brewed.

The Three Magpies has a camp site adjacent to it, so the pub can get busy during the evenings, but you can ring ahead to reserve a table to avoid disappointment. It is always advisable where possible to book a table when you are on a narrow boat holiday, because pubs can be a good hour apart and in a slow moving narrow boat, you can’t nip to the next pub in five minutes like you can in a car.

The Three Magpies has beautifully kept gardens both at the font of the pub and in the beer garden. And on warm sunny days it is lovely to sit in the garden and watch nature going about its business whilst you enjoy a pint. There is also an old fashioned public telephone box close to the pub if there are any calls that you need to make. Mobile phone signals are not always great along the Kennet canal.

The Three Magpies is a pub on our recommended list on the Kennet and Avon waterway, and well worth visiting; if not for dinner then just for a drink and a rest. The pub is warm and friendly, and it’s a family friendly pub, which offers great value for money with great quality food.

A boaters guide to the Kennet and Avon Canal

Enjoy the History and Sights With an Oxford Canal Boat Holiday

By Dipika Patel

No canal boat holiday in the UK would be complete without some stunning views and good old English history. An established town since the 9th century, Oxford plays host to some of the most beautiful buildings in the UK, some of its richest history and most exciting places to visit.

Among the most famous of these is the highly acclaimed Ashmolean Museum. Originally established in 1683, this treasure trove of art and architecture contains some of the most important sights in the UK today. With a state-of-the-art education centre and a lovely rooftop restaurant for a unique dining experience, the Ashmolean in itself could be a full day out during your England narrow boat holiday.

Of course, one of the best ways to enjoy the city of Oxford and imbibe its glorious culture is to venture out of doors. The Botanical Gardens, looked after by the internationally-renowned University of Oxford, display over 7,000 plants, making it one of the widest and most beautiful collections in the UK.

If you are a keen walker and are interested in seeing more of the city on foot, guided walking tours are an excellent idea. If you are a TV addict and love Inspector Morse, why not take a tour of areas used in filming the staple British detective series? If you are looking for something to entertain the children while letting them burn off some energy, the Harry Potter guided tour should tick all the boxes - both for the little ones and for you!

Walking tours are not the only way to explore Oxford's status as a prime filming location. The White Horse Inn enjoys fame not only for its delicious fish, chips and fine ales, but also as the favourite watering hole of Inspector Morse himself. The stylish Randolf Hotel also holds associations with the shrewd detective, boasting the Morse Bar ¬- a charming venue for a civilised drink in the evening.

Not to be outdone by the reputation of the TV character, the Randolf also offers splendid luxury rooms and fine high tea - a wonderful refreshing treat after an afternoon walking tour or wander around the Ashmolean. Adults will love the excellent tea in sophisticated surroundings, serenaded by relaxing live piano playing, while children will love the exciting miniature (and full size!) cakes on offer, as well as the impressive surroundings.

Another classic Oxford activity not to be missed once you have ventured off your holiday boats is its great tradition of punting. Situated on the River Cherwell, punting trips run all day, and whilst you may think another boat trip is not necessary, the unique experience and pleasure of punting will prove you otherwise. The beautiful scenery and peacefulness of the trip are ideal for adults and wonderfully romantic for couples. Children will love the sense of adventure boating through the trees.

Oxford allows you to experience British history and architecture whilst providing the usual modern delights. Shopping in Oxford is a joy - there are of course all the big high street names, but much more exciting are the unique shops on offer scattered through both the main and back streets. The Covered Market is perhaps one of the finest examples of this, offering quaint little food shops, from pies to fresh fish, meat and cheeses to speciality cakes made specifically to requests - you can even watch the latter being made and decorated. You can also buy all kinds of beautiful clothes, bags and souvenirs from your canal boat holiday to delight your friends upon your return home.

Famously the University of Oxford is the most prominent institution in the county, and indeed the stunning buildings it occupies add to its national fame. Many of the colleges are open to tourists, allowing you to see the fantastic architecture so important to the city's identity.

Of course, just as important to the students themselves are excellent pubs that can be found all over the city. One of the most treasured is the Turf Tavern, nigh impossible to find without directions if you have never been, but so worth the enjoyable hunt to get to it.

Canal boat hire is the ideal way to enjoy this stunning city, allowing you to enjoy the ambience from the moment you sail in. From museums to pubs, gardens to rooftop dining, Oxford offers truly unique canal boat holidays in the UK that can be enjoyed by families, couples and groups of friends alike.

No England narrow boat holiday would be complete without trip to the beautiful city of Oxford, so when you are organising your canal boat hire, make sure you add this stunning English haven to your itinerary.

Holiday boats are a great way to travel to and enjoy this picturesque city with so much to offer visitors of all ages - there is no better location for canal boat holidays in the UK.

All About Canal Boat Holidays

Everyone has a different idea of where and how they would like to spend their ideal holiday. Think about it the, the options are limitless. One may chose to trek up a snow laden mountain while others may prefer the beach. However, if you have been there and done it all, then you may consider canal boat holidays. This fits just right for those who want to kick up their feet and relax, doing nothing in particular but unwinding and taking in beauty and serenity that nature brings with it.

Canal boats are made to accommodate people and may vary in sizes based on this feature. A smaller boat can fit up to ten people while bigger boats have a larger capacity. The boats are equipped with everything that you would require in a conventional hotel room. These boats can even be bought by those who intend to make a habit out of the boating experience. These boats have all entertainment units inbuilt to make your time off worth the while.
There is no speed limit and you can travel at any pace, as per your desire. If you miss the ground too much, you may even be able to disembark for a few hours.

You may not know exactly how or where to avail such services. You can check the internet for the required information. There are specific sites and agencies that will be able to give you the required subject matter and even be able to plan your trip for you. These services are available at most tourist places such as Germany, Cheshire etc. You can even chose the rivers you would like to canal through. The plans are quite flexible to suit your comfort. These are ideal for honeymoons or couple get away and even for family outings!

Narrowboat Holidays are the perfect way to introduce a loved one to a special connection with you and the environment.

Visit the Bure Valley Steam Railway on Boating Holidays in the Norfolk Broads

By Dipika Patel

If you're a fan of natural settings and enjoy being close to stunning countryside scenery on holiday, you're sure to find a boating holiday in the Norfolk Broads gives you just the opportunity you're looking for to get close to nature.

England boating breaks in the region are popular among Britons as well as visitors to the country as the area offers 125 miles of navigable waterways in truly beautiful surroundings. The broads are a fantastic location for UK boating holidays because of their lock-free design and close proximity to the rivers Bure, Ant, Thurne, Yare, Chet and Waveney, as well as to rural villages and bustling towns and cities.

Whatever kind of boating holiday in the UK you're looking for, you're sure to find it on the broads. Whether you want to relax and unwind on the water and visit secluded hamlets to explore history and stock up on supplies, or if you prefer being close to the action in thriving cities like Cambridge, the broads have it all.

As you travel across the waterways in the area, you'll come across all kinds of attractions to visit in each of the locations you pass through. A great place to stop off on a day trip if you're looking to enjoy the scenery of the broads is the Bure Valley. Located in the historic town of Aylsham, near the source of the River Bure, the valley is home to one of Norfolk's most famous railways.

Stretching between Aylsham and Wroxham, the Bure Valley Railway is Norfolk's longest narrow gauge steam line and covers 18 miles on a round trip. If it's beautiful scenery you're after, this is the place to find it, as your steam train will carry you through the rural landscape and stop off at three villages on the way.

Between the beginning of April and the end of October, at least three trains run per day - both steam and diesel - while the rest of the year sees the railway operate special events. The attraction is a great place not only for nature lovers and train spotters, but also for children, who will love the diminutive size of the engines as well as some of the events held throughout the year - in particular the trips to visit Santa in his grotto.

There is also a model railway shop on site, so browse the goodies and maybe pick up a treat for a little one who loved the train ride and would like a memento of the journey to treasure forever.

The historic railway was built on the track bed of the former Great Eastern Railway line, which ran between Wroxham and the junction of the Dereham to Wells-next-the-Sea railway at County School. You'll take in the sight of the River Bure as you travel, as well as the footpath that runs directly next to the railway for its entire length.

If you fancy some exercise during your boat holiday, you might decide a walk along the purpose-built footpath is a great way of doing just that while enjoying the countryside landscape. You could even rent a bicycle and ride the whole nine miles if you choose, but if you prefer to keep things more low key, ride to one of the local villages, where you can alight or board the train for the rest of the journey.

If you travel the entire stretch by rail, you'll stop off briefly in the three hamlets - Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall - where people can alight or get off the train. Once you've completed your journey, you might like to visit the villages in greater depth.

Brampton was once a thriving manufacturing centre in Roman times and has a picturesque round-tower church for visitors to admire, so pay a visit to find out more about the area's history. Buxton also has traces of being a Roman settlement and is known as the home of Black Beauty author Anna Sewell. Here you'll also find some stunning 17th century architecture. Meanwhile, Coltishall has a charming thatched village church and a famous RAF base, so explore at your leisure.

Once you've exhausted the railway and surroundings villages, you're likely to be glad to return to the comfort of your boat for the night, where you can plan the rest of your boating holiday on the broads. If you want to call in at thriving cities you'll find places like Cambridge not too far away, while seaside locations like Great Yarmouth are also within reach. Whatever you want to do, you'll find a wealth of opportunities on the Norfolk Broads.

A UK boating holiday is a great way of exploring the Norfolk Broads. And with boating holidays in the Norfolk Broads widely available, you're sure to find something to cater for your needs on an England boating break. Check out Le Boat for a wide selection of boating holidays in the UK.

Visit Regal Windsor Castle on Your Thames Boating Holiday

By Dipika Patel

If you'd like to journey to a historical location as part of your UK boating holiday, you're sure not to be disappointed with a Thames boating holiday incorporating a trip to Windsor Castle.

The world's biggest and oldest castle to still be inhabited, the structure is one of the Queen's official residences and has been standing for almost 1,000 years. You can reach the fortress on a boating holiday in the area and experience the grandeur of the castle with your own eyes. Look out for the flying flag - if you spot it, it indicates that the Queen is in residence.

Travel to Boveney Lock on the River Thames for a central location from which you can easily call in at other places of interest on your way to the castle, such as Royal Windsor Racecourse and Eton - home to the renowned public school. The lock was rebuilt in 1898 closer to the Buckinghamshire bank. Why not moor your boat for a while and go for a walk through the sprawling land of Dorney or take in the lake behind the bank? You might prefer to moor up at Windsor Marina and explore the yacht club's facilities while the experienced harbourmaster keeps an eye on your vessel.

Next, take a leisurely stroll through Hythe Marina Village and stock up on supplies for your England boating holiday - and if you're looking for some entertainment, you might consider heading to the riverboat-accessible racecourse to take in some spectator sport. The track holds flat horse-racing 26 times a year from April to October and also puts on a variety of theme nights, so why not make an evening of it at one of only two courses in the UK to be shaped like a figure of eight?

After an evening of fun and frolics, why not discover more of the local area? Moor your boat further down the river to take a look around Eton, on the opposite bank of the river and connected via the Windsor Bridge. The village was once part of Buckinghamshire but was transferred to Berkshire in 1974.

As you travel down the waterway, marvel at the authentic examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture that help give Windsor its historical appearance. If you explore the town, you'll find it is split into two sections. The Old Town is hundreds of years older than the New Town and is where you'll find the Great Park - a 5,000-acre expanse that was formerly the private hunting ground of Windsor Castle and is home to many deer.

There's so much to explore on a boating holiday to the region, but you're sure not to want to miss the area's most famous attraction - the castle. If you opt for a walking or bus tour of the royal borough you're sure to see the monument. But if you'd like to venture inside, a Blue Badge tour could be the best option, as your guide will accompany you throughout and provide plenty of background information.

You'll receive an audio guide if you choose to explore the fortress, although you might like to pre-book to see parts of the castle that are not usually open to the public, such as the Great Kitchen and medieval Undercroft.

On a guided walk around the castle, you'll be shown exquisitely furnished rooms such as the State Apartments, which house art works by masters including Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto and Gainsborough. Although more than 100 of the castle's rooms were destroyed by fire in 1992, they were later restored in 1997. Poke your head around the entrance to St George's Chapel - an excellent example of Gothic architecture - and call in at George IV's private apartments (the Semi-State Rooms) if your visit takes place between October and March. And don't miss the chance to see the most famous dolls' house in the world while you're there - Queen Mary's Dolls' House.

Another point of interest - especially for fans of photography or antique relics - is the Drawings Gallery, which regularly displays material from the Royal Library. Among the exhibitions shown in the gallery was the work of Marcus Adams, a royal photographer who photographed four generations of the royal family between 1926 and 1956.

If your visit takes place during summer, why not take a walk around the grounds? A number of bands take to the gardens in the warmer months, providing the perfect musical accompaniment for leisurely afternoon strolls.

With so much to see in Windsor, make it the location of your next boating holiday and mess about on the River Thames.

A Thames boating holiday could be a great way of exploring Windsor and its surroundings. And with boating holidays widely available you're sure to find something to cater for your needs. Check out Le Boat for a wide selection of UK boating breaks and a range of England boating holiday options.

Cruising the Lovely Llangoleln Canal

By Cliff K Bayliss

The lovely Llangollen Canal is one of the most popular waterways in the country, and rightly so.

It has everything one could want in a great canal Holiday, tunnels, locks, beautiful stone bridges, lift bridges, lots of character pubs, and of course, two of the wonders of the waterways, the Chirk and Pontcysylite Aqueducts.

Joining the Llangollen from the Shropshire Union Canal, the Hurleston locks offer the canal traveler a taste of things to come, with views back over the Cheshire countryside.

After sneaking a visit to the tempting Snugburys ice Cream, just down the A51, it's a delightful cruise through Swanley locks, to the village of Wrenbury. The highlights of Wrenbury are the Dusty Miller and Cotton Arms pubs and the fun electric bridge across the canal.

Wending its way gently towards the Welsh hills, the cattle studded landscape slides gently past.

The often frenetic scene at Grindley Brook, where one tackles the staircase locks, is usually eased by the very helpful B.W. lock keeper.

A fine pint of Banks is available from the Horse and Jockey pub, just down from the good moorings above the locks.

It's a lock free cruise across the beautiful Shropshire countryside giving one the chance to sit back and absorb the passing scenery. The one and only pub on this section, the Waggoner's, at Platt Lane closed after a fire.

Prees Junction heads off to the left, guarded by a fine three story canal house. A couple of lift bridges are to be negotiated before arriving at Whixall mariner, which looked bit overgrown when we last cruised through there.

The Welsh hills drawing ever closer as we wind our way past Hampton Bank, and Fern Wood, which provides fine mooring spots.

As one approaches Ellesmere, the series of delightful Meres appear. It is well worth pausing here and exploring at least one of these Meres, for these are Shropshires Lakeland.

Cole Mere has a walking path right around it, and there are good moorings just after bridge 55.

Ellesmere is a delightful market town. Be sure and visit Vermeulens deli, in Cross Street. There is also a butcher, several banks, and a couple of general stores. The Black Lion pub is well worth a visit, as is the old White Heart. There are good moorings in the basin, and plenty more out on the canal.

Onwards now to Frankton Locks leading down to the Montgomery canal. The Narrowboat Inn, a purpose built pub, has the friendliest landlord you could wish to mee.

Speaking of friendly landlords, try Jack Myttons by bridge 10. A great little spot with a great atmosphere.

We now climb into the mountains, slide through New Marton Locks, and approach the two highlights of the canal.

First there is Chirk, with is viaduct right beside it, then Poncysylite, over the river Dee towering 127feet in the air, 1,000 feet long, and supported by 18 stone pillars.

And finally, into Llangollen itself. A superb town packed with a variety of shops, information centre, the stunning Corn Mill Pub, and the river Dee running past.

A walk up to Horse shoe falls ends the journey where the canal begins.

For more information on the Llangollen Canal, and Canal Boat Holidays, go to:

http://www.great-canal-and-river-holidays.com/llangollen-canal.html

Canoe Or Kayak Camping

By Charles Milburn

This is about some of the basics of river camping. The things and the skills you need to do a simple river trip.

Aha, you have just put in on a somewhat lazy river. The canoe is all loaded up with camping gear. As you paddle ahead you see the mountains rising in the distance and the abundance of rich green vegetation growing along the bank. The water is crystal clear; you could read a newspaper on the bottom in 8' of water. The morning sun feels rejuvenating on your face. The air is as fresh as it can be. A slight breeze puffs up the river and all of a sudden you see thousands of cottonwood blossoms fill the air. It almost looks like snow. My wife calls them tree fairies. I think she gets euphoric out on the river with all that fresh air. Actually, the blossoms or fairies are cottonwood seeds; they have a fuzzy puff of hair like stuff around them and are lighter than a feather.

You see a rock sticking out of the water to your right. You pick up your fishing rod and cast. Right on the money just behind the rock then the water explodes with a nice Smallmouth bass about a 1 ½' out of the water in the air. Now, after getting your heart under control, you think to yourself "let the games begin." After a battle on rod and reel you unhook the bass and release it back into the water.

In the distance we here the roar of water, rapids are coming up. So you check the map and see a set of class one's coming up. We put on your PFD's and tie down all loose gear. As we approach we make a plan for how we're going to get thru them. We pick up our speed and head for the main channel knowing at the bottom we have to cut a little to the right to pick up the channel that drops into a 5' chute thru an intimidating ledge across the river. As you execute your plan, you can't help feel the excitement building as you execute each turn. What a great feeling you have as you fly down the chute to still water knowing we did everything right. That's the third endorphin rush in an hour.

Sounds nice!

Canoe or kayak camping is a great way to camp. It is our favorite and we spend as much as 4- 5 weeks a year on rivers. We often put in for a week or 10 days at a time. We plan ahead of time for re-supply stops, ice, sodas fresh foods (if close by), dry meals and swap out our used clothes for clean. Sometimes, we leap frog our vehicles to an access point downriver. You lose a little time shifting vehicles around but get gain clean cloths, fresh food, ice and things you forgot and left in the truck.

We don't paddle every day. Usually, we'll make camp by a rapid. The sound of them at night is fantastic plus the fishing is usually good. It seems that a lot of wild life frequent rapids particular Otters. Rapids are entertainment too, we like watching others come thru. Some are very funny, while others are very skillful. We swim in the rapids when it's hot, sometimes we tow 2-stacked sit on top kayaks behind our canoe to play in the rapids, fish, explore or do day trips out of camp. I do a little fly fishing from time to time and rapids are a prime spot. We may stay an extra day or two, and then push on to another spot. Canoe or kayak camping is a relaxing way to camp; we are never in a hurry.

Before you jump off and rent a canoe or kayak for your first trip down the river, there are some things you need to know. First off, knowing how to swim or at least be very comfortable in moving or rushing water. Second, having canoe or kayak skills from packing to paddling. Third, experienced camping skills, as these will pay off later. You need to see a raw site and make it home for a night or couple of days without harming the environment. Being able to handle a rainstorm, or other adverse weather. Having the right equipment, like dry bags instead of backpacks. Know how to maintain a fresh water supply and how to make a campfire with wet wood. You need a little more than KOA skills. And lastly, having the right attitude. Not everything is going to be perfect but you make it perfect or the best you can. Remember this is a water sport as well as camping. You might get wet from time to time and you have to be OK with that. Canoes and kayaks sometimes turn over or a sudden rainstorm comes up and your rain gear is in the bottom of the pack. No time to pull a "chicken little" thing.

Setting up camp in the rain or a storm can be challenging, it isn't that hard just an inconvenience. By the numbers, first set up the campsite rain fly, next the tent under the campsite fly. Then after your tent is up with the tent rain fly on, you move it to where you want it to be. Next, is gathering firewood, and drying it out as in the article on "Campfires." Next is unloading the rest of the gear you will need for now. Sleeping gear, cooking kit & food bag, cooler, clothes bag, and chairs if you have them. Next, get that fire going and get on dry clothes. I can't tell you how good a cup of hot chocolate would taste at this moment sitting by a warm fire.

Hey, come on guy's this is fun. It's the adventure, the challenge; you made it happen, anybody that knows how can set up a camp on a bright sunny day. In the rain and blowing wind it's different, but that hot chocolate will never taste as good as it did above, that's what we call "right on." While you don't plan on a storm they sometimes happen and you can't run from them. With good camping skills you can deal with it. What separates a good camping trip form a bad one is how you handle the things that go wrong. And you know, that's the trip you might remember most. Remember that time we set up camp in the rain, or the trip when we left the tent poles in the truck.

It's good to always plan a rain day on long trips, as it's hard to get an accurate weather forecast that far in advance. It will rain, we just don't know when your are going to have it until our NOAH radio tells us. Once we were out on a 10 -15 dayer and we had a good spot to hold over for a day while the rain passed. The next day our weather radio predicted more rain. Rather than lose a day, we elected to pack up and paddle on. This is where having good rain gear helps the comfort zone. We traveled 5 miles, shot 3 rapids and caught a bunch of bass that day. Late afternoon, the rain stopped, as we neared our planned camping spot. We are often GPS guided. We set up and had another nice night in the neighbourhood.

So, now you have it, we think canoe camping is the greatest. We love it.

1. Knowing how to swim or at least be comfortable in moving or rushing water

2. Experienced camping skills

3. The right equipment

4. Canoeing or kayak experience with light white water if doing any.

5. The right attitude. We are going to have a good time if it kills us.

You put all that together and you got a great trip. Leave out one ingredient and you could be inviting a disaster. Read the "Bloopers" when it's finally written, an article on every thing that has gone wrong and how we handled it and hear about our experiences as well as our friends, this could be funny. We have no regrets, as this is our experience as to how we got to where we are today.

Try renting a canoe for a day trip and see you like it. While you are out there try to imagine what it would be like camping out for a night. Most likely you may not have any neighbors (fellow campers).

If this sounds like your cup of tea, you can contact me thru the website below and I can hook you up with one of half dozen-affiliate outfitters along the upper Potomac River WVA or the Shenandoah River in VA & WVA. They have canoes to rent and river maps and can transport you to your put in. If you are on your own I can give you directions to or Waypoints for Put in's and Takeouts.

Author: Charles Milburn and we are WayPoint Adventures Inc at My CampFire Outfitters. My wife and I have 25 years combined experience as campers and 5 years experience as outfitters and guides. This year we opened a website because we know camping gear and what works. A lot of people (beginners) are being taken advantage of by on line dealers with inferior camping gear or higher priced camping gear. Our goal is to guide the beginner into the right gear until they know if camping is for them. It's not about the money as we are a small mom and pop business. We are hosting a few articles to help them in the transition with out being taken advantage of, like "how to do or how to buy" articles. We also have tips and secrets to share and confessions of all the things that have gone wrong while out in the wild. We also cater to the more experienced campers, canoers, bikers, and backpackers as well. We offer over 700 camping items from economy, mid range and high tech - wherever you feel most comfortable. We carry close to 100 models of tents by 11 manufactures. We have Camp Stoves, Camp Cookware, Sleeping Bags, Camp Tools, First aid, GPS's, SPOT's, Weather Radios, and hundreds of other misc. items. For some this might not be the right website as we have to many choices to pick from. So come on in take a look and maybe you just might want to take a trip on the wild side.

http://www.MyCampfireOutfitters.com
Also check out "Canoe Camping Tips" http://www.mycampfireoutfitters.com/articles/article/7429229/140367.htm

See the Best of the Norfolk Broads on a Canal Boat Holiday

By Dipika Patel


If you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life for a while, you could find canal boat hire in Norfolk affords you the chance to experience tranquillity.

When searching for the perfect location to make your UK boat hire purchase, you might like to consider the unspoilt surroundings of the Norfolk Broads, which is Britain's largest nationally-protected wetland.

The tranquil area boasts many waterways and rivers on which to while away the hours while enjoying the slow pace of life and feeling closer to nature. You can travel through small market towns and boat-building villages, or explore Cambridge down the River Cam, which is popular among punters.

Moor your boat below Jesus Lock on either side of the river or on the western bank near Clayhithe and explore the university city on dry land for a while. Just remember you'll need a navigation licence from the Environment Agency or the Conservators of the River Cam to travel down the river.

If you prefer peace and quiet, you might want to see the sights of Cambridge from the river and journey on along the many waterways, taking in the local wildlife and scenery as you do so.

On a Norfolk Broads canal boat holiday, expect the pace to become slower as you meander down through the area, stopping occasionally at bird-watching stations and gazing in awe at the picturesque setting.

Try setting off from Horning in Wroxhom to benefit from more than 120 miles of lock-free cruising over flat land. The waterways were formed when the sea level rose 700 years ago, causing peat pits from medieval times to fill with water. You might like to stop off at the village of Woodbastwick on the edge of Cockshoot Broad to give your legs a bit of exercise and while you're there, why not sample some local ale at the Norfolk Brewery?

Climb more than 90 steps to the top of the ancient church tower at Ranworth for a cultural experience and fantastic views of the broads and then take in the sights of the local nature reserve, which might be particularly appealing to youngsters as shipwrecks are visible from the windows of the floating visitor centre.

After returning to your canal boat, you might want to visit Hickling Broad next, especially if you have a penchant for sailing. The area is a popular sailing boat location and is also home to a large nature reserve, which houses wintering wildfoul, rare insects, swallowtail butterflies and bearded tits. Meanwhile, if you're feeling up for a challenge, why not try out an exciting watersport such as windsurfing in the area?

Nearby is Barton Broad, which is famous for being the place where Admiral Lord Nelson learned to sail. The seaman fought with the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars before losing his life in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Follow in his historical footsteps and give sailing a go or take part in the annual sailing regatta held every August if you want to try out new experiences during your boat hire trip on the Norfolk Broads.

Next, why not journey down the River Ant's narrow and winding course for eight miles? At the end, you'll reach How Hill, home to How Hill House, which was built in 1904 by architect Edward Thomas Boardman. Explore the building and its beautiful Edwardian gardens, or go for a stroll in the separate woodland area. There's plenty of ground to cover across the 365 acres if you're looking to stretch your legs.

Continue on to Ludham and visit the How Hill Nature Reserve and Toad Hole Cottage, which was once home to a marshman and his family and is now a museum, run by the Broads Authority. Again, there are plenty of walking opportunities in the local marshes and woodland areas.

After a good night's sleep, you can pilot your canal boat down the River Thurne for six miles to reach the village of Thurne. Drink in the countryside scenery on a stroll down Weaver's Way or pay a visit to the round tower church at Repps. And don't forget to call in at the well-preserved drainage mill Thurne Dyke Windpump, which is open to the public, before leaving the area.

What better way to relax and unwind than on a canal boat holiday in Norfolk? Not only are the broads breathtakingly beautiful, offering a wealth of opportunity to explore nature; they are also steeped in history and you'll find plenty of examples of architecture through the ages as well as chances to witness and join in rural living at its best.

A Norfolk Broads canal boat holiday could be a great way of seeing the county and get close to nature. And with Boat hire on the Norfolk Broads widely available you're sure to find something to cater for your needs. Check out Le Boat for a wide selection of canal boat hire and a range of UK boat hire options available in the Norfolk Broads.