So, the Four Counties Ring it is, and this time we're planning to be better prepared, with better wet-weather clothing, bigger wi-fi aerials, and a large, sharp stick to prod Mark with when he's watching telly rather than operating locks (CHESTER!?!). Still, the one thing with last Anorak Cruise was that it at least managed to whip me into some sort of fitness regime... for a week.
The plan is, presented differently this time as the Waterscape site has taken down the Route Planner for 'maintenance', as follows:
The Anorak Cruise II: Day 1 (Saturday)
Day 1: Preston Brook Wharf, Bridgewater Canal (Preston Brook Branch) to Anderton Marina, Trent & Mersey Canal.
Total Distance: 7.62 Miles, with 1 lock en route.
Journey Time: 3h:11m of cruising, including lock operating time.
The Anorak Cruise II: Day 2 (Sunday)
Day 2: Anderton Marina, Trent & Mersey Canal to Harecastle Tunnel (North End), Trent & Mersey Canal.
Total Distance: 22.87 Miles, with 35 locks en route.
Journey Time: 15h:29m of cruising, including lock operating time.
The Anorak Cruise II: Day 3 (Monday)
Day 3: Harecastle Tunnel (North End), Trent & Mersey Canal to Great Haywood Junction, Trent & Mersey Canal.
Total Distance: 24.00 Miles, with 18 locks en route.
Journey Time: 12h:51m of cruising, including lock operating time.
The Anorak Cruise II: Day 4 (Tuesday)
Day 4: Great Haywood Junction, Trent & Mersey Canal to Autherley Junction, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.
Total Distance: 23.56 Miles, with 12 locks en route.
Journey Time: 11h:52m of cruising, including lock operating time.
The Anorak Cruise II: Day 5 (Wednesday)
Day 5: Autherley Junction, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal to Market Drayton, Shropshire Union Canal (Bridge 62).
Total Distance: 26.50 Miles, with 7 locks en route.
Journey Time: 11h:43m of cruising, including lock operating time.
The Anorak Cruise II: Day 6 (Thursday)
Day 6: Market Drayton, Shropshire Union Canal (Bridge 62) to Barbridge Junction, Shropshire Union Canal.
Total Distance: 15.63 Miles, with 22 locks en route.
Journey Time: 9h:15m of cruising, including lock operating time.
The Anorak Cruise II: Day 7 (Friday)
Day 7: Barbridge Junction, Shropshire Union Canal to Preston Brook Tunnel (South End), Trent & Mersey Canal.
Total Distance: 26.37 Miles, with 9 locks en route.
Journey Time: 12h:12m of cruising, including lock operating time.
The Anorak Cruise II: Day 8 (Saturday)
Day 8: Preston Brook Tunnel (South End), Trent & Mersey Canal to Preston Brook Wharf, Bridgewater Canal (Preston Brook Branch).
Total Distance: 1.25 Miles, with 0 locks en route.
Journey Time: 0h:27m of cruising, including lock operating time.
Hehe - Scouts honour (and I was one for a couple of years!) I'll promise to don the anorak for the barge and set sail on the locks - hey it was fun last time! I agree it was funny watching the TV and Freeview box die whenever someone used the toilet, provided entertainment!
Seriously though, I am looking forward to this barge especially with a day thingy on the front of the boat!