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Top 6 Bank Holiday Boating Breaks for Beginners
February 5, 2020 /in boating, boating holidays, canal boat holidays, canal holidays Scotland, Droitwich Canals, Forth & Clyde Canal, Kennet and Avon Canal, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Llangollen Canal, narrowboat hire, narrowboat holidays, Short breaks, Shropshire Union, Shropshire Union Canal, Worcester & Birmingham Canal /by Debbie Ludford
With a thriving 3,000-mile network of navigable inland waterways, the health benefits of spending time by the water proven and the merits of a lower carbon staycation, UK narrowboat holidays offer the perfect bank holiday getaway.
A licence isn't required to steer a canal boat and all our provide hirers with boat steering tuition as part of their holiday packages.
Drifters offers over 550 boats for hire, operating from 45 bases across England, Scotland and Wales. Narrowboats range from 32ft to 70ft and can accommodate up to 12 people. All are equipped with essential home comforts, including central heating, hot water, TV, showers, flushing toilets, and many now have WiFi too.
To celebrate the two May bank holidays, we've put together our top six short break narrowboat holidays for beginners:
Complete the Droitwich Mini-Ring – the Droitwich Ring is the only canal boat holiday cruising circuit in Britain which can be completed on a short break (three or four nights). When the restoration of the Droitwich Canals was completed in 2011, it reconnected the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and the River Severn, creating a 21-mile, 33-lock canal boat holiday circuit, which can be cruised in 16 hours from our narrowboat hire base on the River Severn at Worcester.
Glide along the Forth & Clyde to visit Glasgow – from our canal boat rental base at Falkirk, at the junction of the Union and Forth & Clyde canals and home to the magnificent Falkirk Wheel boat lift, it's a peaceful nine-hour cruise along the Forth & Clyde Canal to the City of Glasgow – perfect for a three or four-night short break. Along the way, you will travel 22 miles and pass through five locks. This scenic route passes through Auchinstarry, the River Kelvin Valley with magnificent views of the Campsie Fells above, and the town of Kirkintillock. There are moorings at Applecross Street Basin, with access to Glasgow's wealth of museums, galleries and cultural centres, including the Hunterian Museum, home to one of Scotland's finest collections.
Visit Georgian Bath afloat – on a short break from our barge hire base at Devizes in Wiltshire, boaters can travel gently along the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal to reach moorings at Sydney Wharf, on the edge of Bath City Centre. The journey travels 19 miles, passing through eight locks and takes around nine hours. Along the way, the route passes through the village of Seend with its popular canalside Barge Inn, the historic town of Bradford on Avon with its fascinating 14th century Tithe Barn, over the beautiful Avoncliff and Dundas Bath stone aqueducts. Once at Sydney Wharf, you can moor up and take a 15-minute walk into Bath City Centre to visit the Roman Baths, the Royal Crescent and other World class attractions.
Potter through the Shropshire countryside to Market Drayton – from our canal boat hire base at Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal, it takes around 10 hours to reach the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man and regular street markets. Along the way, you will pass through just six locks and a series of villages with canalside pubs, including the Junction Inn at Norbury and the Royal Oak at Gnosnall.
Float across 'The Stream in the Sky' to Ellesmere and back – passing through stunning North Wales landscapes, the Llangollen Canal is one of the most popular navigations on the network. The journey from our boat yard at Trevor near Llangollen in North Wales, to Ellesmere and back offers a fantastic short break holiday for beginners. There are just four locks between Trevor and Ellesmere at the heart of the Shropshire Lake District, a journey which takes around seven hours. And the route includes the experience of travelling across the awesome UNESCO World Heritage status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, also known as 'The Stream in the Sky', with incredible views of the Dee Valley 30 metres below.
Cruise along the summit of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to enjoy remote beauty – from our canal boat hire base at Barnoldswick on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Lancashire, it takes around four hours to gently cruise 10 miles to Bank Newton, passing through just three locks at Greenberfield. Along the way, the route takes you through the village of East Marton with its popular Cross Keys pub and then on through the remotest and most beautiful stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, with just sheep and birds in all directions!
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Kate-boats-cruising-along-1024x683-1-e1588857612978.jpg 400 600 Debbie Ludford https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/logo-300x62.png Debbie Ludford2020-02-05 11:17:102020-05-07 13:28:49Top 6 Bank Holiday Boating Breaks for Beginners
Top 8 Easter Holidays Afloat
January 30, 2020 /in boating, boating holidays, canal boat holidays, canal holidays Scotland, Grand Union, Grand Union Canal, Kennet and Avon Canal, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Llangollen Canal, narrowboat hire, narrowboat holidays, Short breaks, Shropshire Union, Shropshire Union Canal, Union Canal Scotland, Worcester & Birmingham Canal /by Debbie Ludford
Canal boat holidays are fantastic for families, offering the chance to set off on an adventure together out in the open air, learning how to steer the boat and work the locks, as well as spotting wildlife, exploring traffic-free towpaths and visiting waterside attractions along the way.
Our narrowboats range from 32ft to 70ft and can accommodate up to 12 people. All are equipped with essential home comforts, including central heating, hot water, TV, showers, kitchens, flushing toilets, and many now have WiFi too.
Here are our top eight destinations for Easter 2020:
Join the annual Easter Boat Gathering at Ellesmere Port – over the Easter Weekend (10-13 April), the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire celebrates the start of the Summer boating season with a large boat gathering, live music, workshop tours, historic boats and museum activities. From our canal boat hire base at Bunbury on the Shropshire Union Canal in Cheshire, it takes 10 hours to reach Ellesmere Port, travelling 21 miles through 12 locks, and passing through the ancient City of Chester along the way.
Travel round the Warwickshire Ring – On a week's holiday from our narrowboat hire base on the Grand Union Canal at Braunston, you can travel round the popular Warwickshire Ring, cruising 101 miles, through 94 locks in around 54 hours through a mixture of urban and rural landscapes. Highlights include: the awesome Fight of 21 locks at Hatton with stunning views of the Warwickshire countryside; 1,000 years of history at Warwick Castle on the banks of the River Avon; Birmingham's Gas Street Basin in the heart of Britain's second city; the flight of 11 locks at Atherstone; and the pretty canal village of Braunston.
Visit the Edinburgh Science Festival – from our boat yard at Falkirk, at the junction of the Union and Forth & Clyde canals, on a mid-week (four night) or week's break, narrowboat holiday-makers can travel through the Scottish Lowlands to Edinburgh and back. The journey starts with trip through the iconic Falkirk Wheel, the world's first and only rotating boat lift, which tranfers boats 100ft from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal above. Once in Edinburgh, boaters can moor up in Edinburgh Quay to enjoy the City's attractions, including the annual Edinburgh Science Festival (4-19 April 2020), featuring almost 270 events over the course of two weeks, including family days out, hands-on activities and talks.
Take in a show at the Egg theatre in Bath – on a four-night mid-week break from our base at Devizes in Wiltshire, you can travel gently along the beautiful Kennet & Avon Canal to reach moorings at Sydney Wharf, just a 15-minute walk from Bath City Centre. The journey there and back travels 39 miles, takes around 19 hours and passes through 10 locks each way. The route passes through the village of Seend with its popular canalside Barge Inn, and the historic town of Bradford on Avon with its fascinating 14th century Tithe Barn. Once at Sydney Wharf, boaters can moor up and take a 15-minute walk into the centre of Bath to visit some of the City's many attractions, including the Roman Baths, Royal Crescent and the Theatre Royal's award-winning egg theatre.
Visit the World's biggest Cadbury shop at Cadbury World – perfect for beginners, boaters can travel lock-free to Birmingham in just five hours from our canal boat rental base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, stopping off along the way to find handmade Easter eggs in the World's biggest Cadbury shop at Cadbury World. You can travel right into the heart of the City of Birmingham by canal boat, to over-night moorings in Gas Street Basin, close to Brindleyplace with plenty for families to see and do, including penguin feeding at the National Sea Life Centre and star gazing in the Planetarium at Birmingham's Science Museum Thinktank.
Cruise along the summit of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to enjoy remote beauty – from our canal boat hire base at Barnoldswick on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Lancashire, it takes around four hours to gently cruise 10 miles to Bank Newton, passing through just three locks at Greenberfield. Along the way, the route take boaters through the village of East Marton with its popular Cross Keys pub and then on through the remotest and most beautiful stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, with just sheep and birds in all directions!
Glide gently to Norbury and back – on a relaxing short break from our narrowboat rental base on the Shropshire Union Canal at Autherley Junction, you can travel north to the pretty village of Norbury. This sedate journey takes around seven hours, passing through just two locks and travelling through 15 miles of peaceful countryside. Along the way, the route takes narrowboat holiday-makers through the charming village of Brewood with its half-timbered cottages, attractive Georgian houses and choice of places to eat, including the canalside Bridge Inn. The route also takes you past Belvide Reservoir near Brewood and Mottey Meadows Nature Reserve at Wheaton Ashton, both home to an abundance of wildlife. Once at Norbury, you can moor up to enjoy a meal at the Old Wharf Tearoom or the Junction Inn.
Float across 'The Stream in the Sky' – from our base at Chirk on the beautiful Llangollen Canal in North Wales, the pretty Eisteddford town of Llangollen on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains can be reached on a short break. Along the way, you cross the awesome World Heritage Status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, taking them 38 metres high above the Dee Valley, with amazing views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. On reaching Llangollen, you can enjoy visiting the town's independent shops, pubs and restaurants, as well as its Steam Railway and Horseshoe Falls.
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Llangollen-Canal-Pontcysyllte-Aqueduct-crossing-by-canalboat-1024x681-1.jpg 681 1024 Debbie Ludford https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/logo-300x62.png Debbie Ludford2020-01-30 11:15:292020-05-07 13:22:46Top 8 Easter Holidays Afloat
Celebrate Mother's Day with a relaxing day afloat
January 22, 2020 /in boating, Forth & Clyde Canal, Grand Union, Kennet and Avon Canal, Llangollen Canal, narrowboat hire, Stratford Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal, Union Canal Scotland, Worcester & Birmingham Canal /by Debbie Ludford
Day boat hire on Britain's peaceful network of inland waterways is a great way to celebrate Mother's Day, enjoying slow time together watching out for Spring wildlife, blossom on the trees and lambs in the fields, and stopping off for lunch at a canalside pub along the way.
Drifters offers day boat hire from 18 boat yards across England, Scotland and Wales, with prices starting from less than £10 per person.
Full tuition is included so if you are new to canal boating, it's a great way to get the hang of steering, mooring up and working the locks. All our day boats are equipped with cutlery, crockery and a kettle and most also have a toilet, cooker and fridge.
Here's a list of our Top 10 day boat destinations for Mums in 2020:
Explore Shakespeare's country – from Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal near Stratford Upon Avon, boaters can head south to the pretty village of Wilmcote to enjoy lunch at The Mary Arden Inn and a visit to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust's Mary Arden's Farm, the childhood home of Shakespeare's mother. The journey takes two-and-a-half hours each way, and crosses over the impressive Edstone Aqueduct with beautiful views across the Warwickshire countryside. ***Day boat hire from Wootton Wawen starts at £99 for up to 10 people, £140 on weekends and bank holidays.
Travel across 'The Stream in the Sky' – from our day boat hire base at Trevor on the Llangollen Canal in North Wales, it takes less than 20 minutes to reach the World Heritage status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Standing at over 38 metres high above the Dee Valley, this incredible structure offers boaters stunning views of the Dee Valley below. After cruising over the Aqueduct, there are two tunnels to pass through – Whitehouses and Chirk, as well as Chirk Aqueduct with a viaduct running alongside it. It takes around two-and-a-half hours to reach Chirk and the Poacher's Pocket pub at Glendrid. ***Day boat hire from Trevor starts at £120 for up to 10 people, £160 on weekends and bank holidays.
Cruise to the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne – from Drifters' day boat hire base at Gayton on the Grand Union Canal in Northamptonshire, it takes around an hour to chug gently along to the pretty canalside village of Stoke Bruerne, passing through the 2,795-metre long Blisworth Tunnel along the way. Once there, day-boaters can moor up and visit the intriguing Canal Museum, whose stories, films and collections give visitors a fascinating look at the history of Britain's canals. And there are plenty of places to eat in Stoke Bruerne, including the Boat Inn, Navigation Inn and the Museum's Waterside Café. ***Day boat hire aboard 'Daylark' which can carry up to 12 people, starts at £140 on a weekday, £175 on weekends and bank holidays.
Catch a lift on the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland – from Falkirk at the junction of the Forth & Clyde and Union canals in Scotland, day boat hirers can travel through the incredible Falkirk Wheel, the World's first rotating boat lift and along the Union Canal to Polmont, where they can moor up and enjoy a short walk to The Claremont Inn. Or continue on to the canalside Bridge 49 café bar and bistro, next to Causewayend Marina. ***Day boat hire on the 'Jaggy Thistle' which can carry up to eight passengers, is £250, Friday to Sunday.
Glide through the Brecon Beacons – from Goytre Wharf on the beautiful Monmouth & Brecon Canal near Abergavenny, boaters can enjoy incredible mountain views on the two-and-a-half-hour journey to the popular Star pub at Mamhillad, a short walk from bridge 62. ***'Rooster' can carry up to eight people, prices start at £137.
Boat to beautiful Bradford on Avon – from Hilperton Marina near Trowbridge in Wiltshire on the beautiful Kennet & Avon, day boaters can head west to the picturesque historic town of Bradford on Avon, with its stunning medieval Tithe Barn and choice of pubs, independent cafes and restaurants, including the canalside Barge Inn. ***'Cheers' can carry up to 10 people, weekday hire starts at £122, weekends & bank holidays £159.
Tunnel through rural Worcestershire to Hopwood – from Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, cruise north to Kings Norton Junction, a pretty rural route with historic pubs along the way, including the family-friendly Hopwood House at Hopwood. The route is lock-free but there are two tunnels to pass through, including the 2493-metre long Wast Hill Tunnel. ***'Emma' can carry up to 10 people each, weekday hire is £99, weekends & bank holidays £140.
Cruise to Whitchurch for lunch at The Black Bear – from Drifters' day boat hire base at Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, boaters can head to the historic market town of Whitchurch. The lock-free journey, which takes just under two hours, travels through six peaceful miles of countryside. Once at Whitchurch, day boaters can moor up to explore the town with its half-timbered buildings, independent shops, way-marked circular walks, Brown Moss nature reserve and award-winning 'Black Bear' pub. ***Day boat hire from Whixall aboard 'Julia' is priced at £99 for up to 10 people on a weekday, £140 on weekends and bank holidays.
Cruise through the Leicestershire countryside to Foxton Locks – from Union Wharf in Market Harborough it's a pleasant two-and-a-half hour cruise along the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line to the top of Foxton Locks, where day boaters can enjoy stunning views of the Leicestershire countryside, and lunch at the historic waterside Foxton Locks Inn. Once at Foxton, day boaters can also walk along to the famous Foxton Staircase flight of locks to watch canal boats pass through and visit the Foxton Inclined Boat Lift Museum to find out about the intriguing Victorian structure that once operated there. ***'Moorhen' can carry up to 12 people, weekday hire starts at £160, weekends & bank holidays from £210.
Travel through the Staffordshire countryside to Rugeley – from Drifters' boat yard at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Stafford, day boaters can cruise four miles, passing through two locks to reach the historic market town of Rugeley. The journey, which takes around two hours, passes the National Trust's stunning Shugborough Estate, the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust's Wolseley Centre and the popular Wolseley Arms pub at Wolseley Bridge. ***Day boats 'Daphne' and 'Abi' can carry up to 10 people each. Weekday hire from Great Haywood starts at £99, £140 on weekends and bank holidays.
Gliding across Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in North Wales
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/®CRT_1116-DSC_3735-2-e1588857923785.jpg 466 700 Debbie Ludford https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/logo-300x62.png Debbie Ludford2020-01-22 13:16:172020-05-07 13:25:51Celebrate Mother's Day with a relaxing day afloat
Top 6 waterways on screen destinations
January 9, 2020 /in boating, boating holidays, Caldon Canal, canal boat holidays, Kennet and Avon Canal, Llangollen Canal, narrowboat hire, narrowboat holidays, Regent's Canal, River Thames, Short breaks, Worcester & Birmingham Canal /by Debbie Ludford
Celebrity 5 Go Barging
Britain's thriving 3,000-mile network of navigable canals and rivers have featured in many movies and television shows over the years.
Recently, a number of television series have put canal boat holidays at the centre of the action, with popular series like 'Great Canal Journeys' and 'Celebrity 5 Go Barging'.
To celebrate canals on screen, we've put together our Top 6 waterways on screen destinations:
Take a Peak at the Peaky Blinders – the Black Country Museum in Birmingham is the office home of the BBC's epic gangster drama, the Peaky Blinders. Many scenes for all five series were filmed at the 26-acre Museum, including Tommy Shelby's iconic walk past the firing furnaces in series one and in season three, the Museum's St James's School is the setting for the murder of Father Hughes in the nail biting season finale. From our canal boat hire base at Alvechurch on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, it's an eight hour, three-lock journey to moorings outside the Black Country Living Museum.
Follow in the wake of Celebrity 5 Go Barging – last autumn, five celebrities took to the canals for a four part series on Channel 5. In the first episode, Shaun Williamson, Michael Buerk, John Prescott, Anita Harris and Amanda Barrie set off from Drifters Peak District narrowboat hire base in Stoke on Trent and travelled along the beautiful Caldon Canal. This mostly rural waterway, takes boaters through the beautiful Churnet Valley, to enjoy quiet countryside, watching out for wildlife and a series of popular canalside pubs. On a short break from Drifters' Peak District base, narrowboat holiday-makers can travel to Flint Mill and back in around 21 hours, cruising for 23 miles and passing through 24 locks (12 each way).
Visit Oxford like a gyptian – Philip Pullman's fascinating boat-dwelling 'gyptian' characters are brought vividly to life on screen in the BBC's recent adaptation of his 'The Northern Lights' novel. And Oxford's stunning Bodleian Library features in many 'His Dark Materials' scenes. From our narrowboat hire base at Eynsham on the River Thames near Oxford, canal boat holiday-makers can take to the water like gyptians, reaching city centre moorings at Hythe Bridge in just three hours. From there, it's just a short walk to the Bodleian Library and many other famous historic sites and museums.
Cruise to Little Venice, site of a dramatic chase scene in Paddington 2 – Little Venice, where the Regents Canal meets the Grand Union, was the backdrop to a chaotic chase scene in Paddington 2, with Paddington riding on the back of a dog in Browning's Pool. From Drifters' canal boat hire base at Aldermaston on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Berkshire, narrowboat holiday-makers can travel to Little Venice and back on a two week break. The journey takes boaters along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Reading, transfers onto the Thames and passes, through Marlow, Bray, Windsor, Hampton Court, Richmond and then transfers onto the Grand Union Canal at Brentford. There and back, boaters will cruise a total of 178 miles in around 70 hours, passing through 92 locks.
Zomboat the Birmingham Mini Ring – the six-part zombie apocalypse series Zomboat! premiered last autumn on ITV2, telling the story of sisters Kat and Jo attempting to escape the carnage in Birmingham by canal boat. On a week's holiday from Drifters' canal boat hire base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, boaters can travel the Birmingham Mini Ring, taking them right into the heart of Birmingham. The total journey travels 45 miles, passes through 49 locks and takes around 27 hours.
Cross the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct for a Great Welsh Adventure – last autumn, Welsh rugby legend Gareth Edwards took to the canals of North Wales for his 'Great Welsh Adventure', chronicled on the BBC in four episodes. Gareth set off from Drifters' canal boat hire base at Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal. From there, it takes around six hours to reach the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Status Pontcysytlle Aqueduct, which Gareth travels across in episode one.
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Celebrity-5-web-res-e1588858178853.jpg 467 700 Debbie Ludford https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/logo-300x62.png Debbie Ludford2020-01-09 17:24:222020-05-07 13:29:44Top 6 waterways on screen destinations
Celebrate a Canal Anniversary in 2020
December 30, 2019 /in boating, boating holidays, canal boat holidays, Grand Union, Grand Union Canal, Kennet and Avon Canal, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, narrowboat holidays, Regent's Canal, Short breaks, Trent & Mersey Canal /by Debbie Ludford
Britain's historic canal network was built to transport goods and materials, enabling Britain to become the first industrial power in the World. The 18th century saw a surge in canal building, with 44 Acts for new canals passed between 1791 and 1795 alone, and by 1850, approximately 4,800 miles of inland waterway had been constructed.
Today, our beautiful network of navigable waterways is mostly used for leisure, and has become a haven for wildlife. There are now 35,000 boats on our canal network, more than at the time of the Industrial Revolution. But unlike the original working boats, the canal boats available to hire today are fully equipped with all the essential mod cons – central heating, hot water, TV, Wifi, fully-equipped kitchens, showers and flushing toilets. And some offer five star accommodation, with extras like King sized bed, baths and solid-fuel stoves.
Drifters offers the choice of over 550 boats from 45 bases across England, Wales and Scotland. Each year, canal anniversary celebrations remind us of the history of our waterways. Here's our guide to the Top 5 canal anniversary celebrations for 2020:
Celebrate 250 years since the Leeds & Liverpool Canal was authorised with a cruise into the Pennines – on the 19 May 1770, an act was passed which authorised the construction of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. At 127 miles long – linking the wide waterways of Yorkshire with those of Lancashire and the River Mersey – the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is the longest single canal in the country. To celebrate, canal boat holiday-makers can take a short break (three or four nights) starting from our narrowboat hire base at Reedley on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Lancashire, and travel north east along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal into North Yorkshire. Along the way, the route passes through the villages of Nelson, Barrowford, Salterforth, Barnoldswick and Greenber Field. Once at East Marton, there's a choice of canalside pubs and the canal connects to the Pennine Way just south of the village. The journey there and back covers 47 miles, passes through 10 locks (five each way) and takes around 17½ hours.
Celebrate 250 years since the first section of the Trent & Mersey Canal opened with a journey through the Staffordshire countryside– the Trent & Mersey Canal, which begins close to the River Mersey near Runcorn and finishes at its junction with the River Trent in Derbyshire, was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1766. In 1770 the first sections of the Trent & Mersey Canal opened up – including Derwent Mouth to Shugborough in June, and Great Heywood to Weston in September. On a short break from our canal boat hire base at Great Haywood in Staffordshire, narrowboat holiday-makers cruise along the Trent & Mersey Canal to Fradley Junction. The journey takes around five hours, travelling 12 peaceful miles of Staffordshire countryside and passing through just five locks.
Celebrate the bicentenary of the opening of the Regent's Canal with a Capital cruise – on 1 August 1820 the Regent's Canal opened between Camden and the Regent's Canal Dock at Limehouse Basin. The Regent's Canal was built to link the Grand Junction Canal's Paddington Arm (which opened in 1801), with the Thames at Limehouse. Today, stretching close to nine miles with 12 locks, this quiet waterway offers visitors an oasis of calm in the Capital. From Drifters' canal boat hire base at Aldermaston on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Berkshire, narrowboat holiday-makers can travel to Limehouse and back on a two week break. The journey, which travels a total of 192 miles, passes through 114 locks and takes around 80 cruising hours.
Celebrate 300 years of River Weaver Navigation history – on 23 March 1720, the River Weaver Navigation Trustees were appointed by an Act to make the River navigable, initially for the transport of salt. Today the River Navigation stretches for 20 miles from Winsford in Cheshire to the Manchester Ship Canal at Runcorn, with five locks on its route. It connects to the Trent & Mersey Canal via the impressive Anderton Boat Lift, which lifts boats 50ft between the two waterways in two giant caissons. Salt mining subsidence has left lakes, known as flashes, where salty water is now home to coastal plants and a rich array of wildlife. On a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters' canal boat hire base at Anderton, narrowboat holiday-makers can cruise along the River Weaver to Runcorn and back, travelling a total of 30 miles and passing through 10 locks (five each way).
Celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Grand Union Canal with a journey round the Warwickshire Ring – in 2020, the Grand Union Canal will celebrate 90 years since its formation, when eight independent waterways were merged. Stretching 137 miles through 166 locks, the Grand Union Canal was built to transport goods between London and Birmingham. From our narrowboat rental base at Stockton, on the Grand Union Canal in Warwickshire, boaters can access the Warwickshire Ring. Travelling sections of the Grand Union, Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham & Fazeley canals, this popular circuit covers 104 miles, passes through 120 locks and takes around 60 hours to navigate. It can be done in a week, but a 10-day or two-week break gives more time for sight-seeing. Destination highlights along the way include: the pretty canal village of Braunston; the awesome flight of 21 locks at Hatton; Warwick Castle, said to be Britain's 'Greatest medieval experience'; and Birmingham's Gas Street Basin and Brindleyplace.
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Drinks-at-the-stern-scaled-e1588858245698.jpg 467 700 Debbie Ludford https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/logo-300x62.png Debbie Ludford2019-12-30 14:44:192020-05-07 13:30:52Celebrate a Canal Anniversary in 2020
Top 10 canal boat holidays for beginners
November 28, 2019 /in boating, boating holidays, Caldon Canal, canal boat holidays, canal holidays Scotland, Kennet and Avon Canal, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Llangollen Canal, narrowboat hire, narrowboat holidays, Short breaks, Shropshire Union Canal, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, Trent & Mersey Canal, Union Canal Scotland, Worcester & Birmingham Canal /by Drifters
With a thriving 3,000-mile network of navigable inland waterways, the health benefits of spending time by the water proven and the merits of a lower carbon staycation, UK narrowboat holidays offer a great holiday experience.
A licence isn't required to steer a canal boat and all our operators provide boat steering tuition as part of their holiday packages.
If you're planning to pack up and ship out to learn the ropes of a narrowboat holiday adventure in 2020, here's a list of our top 10 canal boat holidays for beginners:
Glide through the Breacon Beacons – isolated from the main canal network, the scenic Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal runs through the Brecon Beacons National Park. This quiet waterway, which with very few locks is nice and easy for beginners, offers canal boat holiday-makers incredible mountain views, dark night skies for star gazing, plenty of wildlife to watch out for and a series of village pubs to enjoy along the way. On a week's holiday from our base at Goytre Wharf near Abergavenny, you can cruise to Brecon and back, passing through Georgian Crickhowell, with its fascinating 13th century castle, and Talybont-on-Usk with walks to the waterfalls at Blaen y Glyn.
Cruise to the bright lights of Birmingham – boasting more canals than Venice, Birmingham simply has to be visited by water. And with no locks between our narrowboat hire base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove and Birmingham City Centre, it's the perfect opportunity for novice canal boat holiday-makers to 'dip their toe in the water'. It takes just five hours to reach Birmingham, with the first half of the journey passing through fields, woodlands and sleepy villages. Once in the centre of Birmingham, you can find over-night moorings at Gas Street Basin, with easy access to Brindleyplace, the Mailbox, Sea Life Centre and other city centre attractions.
Boat into the Pennines – starting from our base at Reedley on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Lancashire, you can travel north east along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal into North Yorkshire, passing through Nelson, Barrowford, Salterforth, Barnoldswick and Greenber Field along the way. Once at East Marton, there's a choice of canalside pubs and the canal connects to the Pennine Way just south of the village. The journey there and back covers 47 miles, passes through 10 locks (five each way) and takes around 17½ hours.
Float gently along to Fradley – on a short break from our canal boat hire base on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood in Staffordshire, you can head south to Fradley Junction, where the Coventry Canal meets the Trent & Mersey. The journey takes around five hours, travelling through 12 peaceful miles of Staffordshire countryside and passing through just five locks. At Fradley, you can moor up to visit the Canalside Café or The Swan Inn, and take a wander around the Fradley Pool Nature Reserve.
Float across 'The Stream in the Sky' – passing through stunning North Wales landscapes, the Llangollen Canal is one of the most popular navigations on the network. The journey from our narrowboat hire base at Trevor near Llangollen to Ellesmere and back offers a fantastic short break holiday for beginners. There are just four locks between Trevor and Ellesmere at the heart of the Shropshire Lake District, a journey which takes around seven hours. And the route includes the experience of travelling across the awesome World Heritage status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, also known as 'The Stream in the Sky', with incredible views of the Dee Valley 30 metres below.
Potter through the Peak District – Drifters' Peak District base, at the junction of the Caldon and Trent & Mersey canals in Stoke on Trent, offers a fantastic way to experience this beautiful National Park in the heart of England. Starting at the Etruria, home of the industrial potteries, the gentle eight-hour cruise along the peaceful Caldon Canal to Cheddleton Flint Mill is perfect for beginners on a short break. The route, which passes through 12 locks, takes you out into open countryside, through Denford with its popular Hollybush Inn and on to Cheddleton with its Flint Mill Museum, Black Lion pub and Old School Tearooms.
Visit Georgian Bath – from our canal boat hire base at Hilperton on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Trowbridge in Wiltshire, the World Heritage Status City of Bath is a delightful six-hour cruise away. The route passes through seven locks, over two stunning Bath stone aqueducts and past a series of popular historic canalside pubs, including the Barge Inn at Bradford on Avon and the Cross Guns at Avoncliff. Once in Bath, you can use your canal boat as a base to enjoy all that the City has to offer, including the Roman Baths, Jane Austen Museum and Royal Crescent.
Watch out for wildlife on the Ashby Canal – on a week's holiday from our canal boat hire base at Braunston, you can cruise to the pretty village of Snarestone and back, travelling a total of 47 miles, passing through just eight locks (four there and four back) in around 32 hours. This largely rural route follows a section of the North Oxford Canal to Rugby and then joins the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction. Five miles later, the route transfers onto the peaceful lock-free Ashby Canal, which winds gently through countryside for 22 miles. A six mile section of this rural waterway is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), recognising the importance of its wildlife, including nine species of dragonfly, the water shrew, water vole and rare native white-clawed crayfish.
Travel through the Scottish Lowlands to Edinburgh – from our boat yard at Falkirk,Edinburgh Quay is a sedate 11-hour journey along the lock-free Union Canal. The journey, perfect for beginners on a mid-week or week-long break, starts with a trip through the iconic Falkirk Wheel – the world's first and only rotating boat lift – and then passes through the lovely lowland villages of Linlithgow, Broxburn and Ratho. Visitor moorings are available at Edinburgh Quay, just a five-minute walk from Princes Street, with easy access to the City's many attractions, including Edinburgh Castle and Mary King Close, frozen in time beneath the Royal Mile.
Boat to Brewood and back – the journey to Brewood and back from our narrowboat rental base at Gailey on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal offers an excellent short break route for narrowboat holiday beginners. Travelling a total of 25 miles, and passing through just two locks (one on the way, one on the way back), this gentle journey through the Shropshire countryside passes the waterside Anchor Inn at Cross Green and transfers boaters onto the Shropshire Union Canal at Autherley Junction. On reaching the historic village of Brewood, with its half-timbered houses cottages and Georgian houses, visitors have a good choice of places to eat, including the canalside Bridge Inn.
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Stella-KA-2.jpg 480 640 Drifters https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/logo-300x62.png Drifters2019-11-28 10:25:112020-05-07 13:34:32Top 10 canal boat holidays for beginners
Top 8 October half term canal boat holidays
September 11, 2019 /in boating, boating holidays, Calder & Hebble Navigation, Caldon Canal, canal boat holidays, canal holidays Scotland, Kennet and Avon Canal, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Llangollen Canal, narrowboat hire, narrowboat holidays, Short breaks, Shropshire Union, Trent & Mersey Canal, Union Canal Scotland, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, yorkshire canals /by Drifters
Canal boat holidays are fantastic for families, offering the chance to enjoy the autumn countryside, watch out for waterway wildlife, learn how to work the locks and speak the boating lingo.
This October Half Term, why not set sail together for a family adventure afloat, enjoying the splendid colours of autumn in the hedgerows and trees that line our waterways and stopping off at canalside destinations along the way.
Drifters' 2019 October Half Term prices start at £582 for a short break (three or four nights), £795 for a week on a boat for four people. Here are our top 8 destinations for families this October Half Term:
Glide through the Usk Valley to Brecon and back – the beautiful Monmouth & Brecon Canal offers 35 miles of quiet countryside to explore with incredible views of the Brecon Beacons. From Drifters' canal boat hire base at Goytre Wharf near Abergavenny, on a week's break boaters can journey through the wooded Usk Valley to the pretty market town of Brecon, home to a cathedral, theatre, cinema, castle ruins and great access to the National Park with walking routes, cycle hire and pony trekking. Along the way, boaters can stop off at Llanfoist to take the old tramway into the Black Mountains, visit the 13th century caste at Crickhowell and walk to the Blaen y Glyn waterfalls at Talybont-on-Usk. The total journey there and back travels 51 miles, passing through 12 locks and takes around 25 hours.
Travel through the Shropshire countryside to the home of the gingerbread man – from Drifters' canal boat hire base at Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal, it takes around 10 hours to reach the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man – perfect for a mid-week break afloat. Along the way, boaters pass through 21 miles of beautiful Shropshire countryside, six locks and a series of villages with canalside pubs, including the Junction Inn at Norbury and the Royal Oak at Gnosnall.
Visit Georgian Bath afloat – on a mid-week (four-night) break from Drifters' canal boat hire base on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes, canal boat holiday-makers can travel west to the beautiful World Heritage Status City of Bath, famous for its stunning Georgian architecture. Along the way, boaters travel across two magnificent aqueducts crafted out of Bath stone and can enjoy stopping off at historic canalside pubs, including the Barge Inn at Seend, the Lock Inn at Bradford upon Avon and the Cross Guns at Avoncliff. Arriving at Sydney Gardens just outside Bath City Centre, boaters can find quiet moorings just a 15-minute walk from Bath's major attractions, including the Roman Baths. The journey to Bath takes around nine hours, travelling 19 miles and passing through eight locks.
Travel across the Stream in the Sky – on a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters' canal boat hire base on the Llangollen Canal at Trevor, boaters can travel seven peaceful miles to Ellesmere and back, with just two locks to pass through and the magnificent World Heritage status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, with stunning views of the Dee Valley below to travel across. Once at Ellesmere, boaters can explore the famous Mere with its historic castle, woodland paths and fascinating wildlife.
Cruise along the Ashby to the site of the Battle of Bosworth – on a week's holiday from Drifters canal boat hire base at Braunston, canal boat holiday-makers can travel to the pretty village of Snarestone and back, travelling a total of 47 miles, passing through eight locks and taking around 32 hours. This largely rural route takes boaters up the North Oxford Canal to Rugby and on to Hawkesbury Junction to join the Coventry Canal. Five miles later, boaters can transfer onto the peaceful lock-free Ashbury Canal, which winds peacefully through countryside for almost the whole of its 22-mile length. From Carlton Bridge to Snarestone, the canal is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Along the way, boaters pass close to Market Bosworth and the site of the Battle of Bosworth Field, where in 1485 Richard III lost his crown to Henry Tudor.
Visit the historic Yorkshire mill town of Hebden Bridge – on a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters' canal boat rental base at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, canal boat holiday-makers can travel along the leafy Rochdale Canal to the old mill town of Hebden Bridge, nestled in a fork in the hills. Climbing through woods, fields and small stone towns, the journey to Hebden Bridge covers seven miles, 10 locks and takes around five and a half hours. Once at Hebden, boaters can moor in the centre of town to enjoy a good choice of pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops and markets as well as stunning walks up to Heptonstall or Hardcastle Crags.
Explore Birmingham by boat – with more canals than Venice and incredible canalside regeneration areas like Brindleyplace, there's no better way to explore Birmingham than by boat. From Drifters' narrowboat hire base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, it takes just five hours to reach City Centre moorings at Gas Street Basin, the perfect base for exploring the many attractions of Britain's vibrant Second City, including the fantastic Thinktank Science Museum. With no locks along the way, it's a great route for beginners to enjoy testing the waters.
Cruise through the Scottish lowlands to Linlithgow Palace – from Drifters' canal boat hire base at the Falkirk Wheel boat lift, it's a peaceful five-hour cruise along the Union Canal to the historic town of Linlithgow – perfect for a short break (three or four nights). The route starts with a journey through the Falkirk Wheel – the world's first rotating boat lift which replaced a flight of 11 locks – and then passes through two tunnels and two aqueducts, plus miles of peaceful countryside before reaching Linlithgow. Once there, narrowboat holiday-makers can visit the beautifully preserved remains of Linlithgow Palace on the shores of Linlithgow Loch, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and visit some of the town's excellent eateries, including the award-winning Four Marys pub.
https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Top-8-October-half-term-canal-boat-holidays.jpg 923 1385 Drifters https://www.drifters.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/logo-300x62.png Drifters2019-09-11 09:43:322020-01-17 10:34:36Top 8 October half term canal boat holidays
Top 10 canal boat holidays for 2020
August 29, 2019 /in boating, boating holidays, Calder & Hebble Navigation, Caldon Canal, canal boat holidays, canal holidays Scotland, Forth & Clyde Canal, Grand Union, Kennet and Avon Canal, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Llangollen Canal, narrowboat hire, narrowboat holidays, River Severn, Short breaks, Trent & Mersey Canal, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, yorkshire canals /by Drifters
From rural retreats to vibrant city centres, narrowboat holiday-makers can use their boat as a floating holiday home to explore Britain's beautiful 3,000-mile network of inland waterways, with the choice of hundreds of waterside destinations and historic canalside pubs to enjoy visiting along the way.
Drifters offers over 550 boats for hire from 45 locations across England, Scotland and Wales. Tuition is included in all our holiday packages.
Here are Drifters' Top 10 canal boat holidays for 2020:
Celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Grand Union Canal with a cruise to Warwick Castle – in 2020, the Grand Union Canal will celebrate 90 years since its formation, when eight independent waterways were merged. On a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters' canal boat hire base on the Grand Union Canal at Stockton in Warwickshire, narrowboat holiday-makers can reach the historic centre of Warwick and moor up to explore the town's magnificent castle on the banks of the River Avon, said to be 'Britain's greatest medieval experience'. The journey to moorings close to the Castle cruises 11 miles, passes through 22 locks and takes around nine hours.
Wend your way to East Marton and back – starting from our narrowboat hire base at Reedley in Lancashire, boaters can travel along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal into North Yorkshire, passing through Nelson and then Barrowford, with its fascinating Pendle Heritage Centre and popular village pub. The route then takes boaters through seven locks and the Foulridge Tunnel, then on to the market town of Barnoldswick, with plenty of places to eat. After miles of peaceful countryside and the three locks at Greenberfield, the canal winds its way through hilly landscape into the village of East Marton, where there's a choice of canalside pubs and the canal connects to the Pennine Way. The journey there and back covers 28 miles, passes through 20 locks (10 each way) and takes around 12 hours.
Float through the Brecon Beacons – isolated from the main canal network, the beautiful Monmouth & Brecon Canal runs through the Brecon Beacons National Park. Stretching 35 miles from Brecon to Cwmbran, with very few locks, this peaceful waterway offers canal boat holiday-makers incredible mountain views, a series of villages with country pubs and a wealth of wildlife to watch out for along the way. On a four night break from our canal boat rental base at Goytre Wharf, near Abergavenny, boaters can cruise lock-free to Talybont-on-Usk and back, with excellent walking trails, the Canalside Café and the Star Inn. The journey there and back covers a total of 38 miles, passes through 10 locks (five there and five back) and takes around 18 hours.
Cruise the epic Stourport Ring – on a week's holiday from Drifters' Tardebigge boat yard on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, canal boat holiday-makers can travel the popular Stourport Ring, mixing long sections of countryside cruising with key waterside destinations. Cruising 84 miles in around 44 hours, this circuit takes boaters through 118 locks, including the longest lock flight in Britain (the 30 locks at Tardebigge) and along sections of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, the River Severn, Birmingham Canal Main Line and Stourbridge canals. Along the way, narrowboat holidays pass through central Birmingham, the Stourport Basins, Kinver with its National Trust rock houses and the City of Worcester with its magnificent cathedral.
Drift through the prehistoric Vale of Pewsey to Hungerford – from Drifters' canal boat hire base on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Devizes, it takes around 20 hours, travelling 27 miles through 53 locks to reach the historic town of Hungerford, perfect for a week afloat. Along the way, boaters travel up the spectacular flight of 16 locks in a row at Caen Hill (one of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways) and cruise through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey, passing close to prehistoric Avebury and along the edge of the ancient Savernake Forest. Once at Hungerford, narrowboat holiday-makers can enjoy dining at a choice of pubs and browsing in dozens of antique shops.
Glide along the Forth & Clyde to visit Glasgow – from our narrowboat hire base at the incredible Falkirk Wheel boat lift, it's a peaceful nine-hour cruise along the Forth & Clyde Canal to the City of Glasgow – perfect for a short break. Along the way, boaters will travel 22 miles and will pass through five locks. This scenic route passes through Auchinstarry, the River Kelvin Valley with magnificent views of the Campsie Fells above, and the town of Kirkintillock. There are moorings at Applecross Street Basin, with access to Glasgow's wealth of museums, galleries and cultural centres, including the Hunterian Museum, home to one of Scotland's finest collections.
Watch out for wildlife on the Ashby Canal – on a week's holiday from our canal boat hire base at Braunston, canal boat holiday-makers can cruise to the pretty village of Snarestone and back, travelling a total of 47 miles, passing through just eight locks (four there and four back) in around 32 hours. This largely rural route takes boaters up the North Oxford Canal to Rugby and on to Hawkesbury Junction to join the Coventry Canal. Five miles later, the route transfers onto the peaceful lock-free Ashbury Canal, which winds gently through countryside for 22 miles. From Carlton Bridge to Snarestone, the canal is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), recognising the diversity of its plant, insect and animal life, including nine species of dragonfly, the water shrew, water vole and rare native white-clawed crayfish.
Glide through the Peak District to Cheddleton and back – on a short break from our Peak District narrowboat hire base at Etruria in Stoke on Trent, canal boat holiday-makers can travel into the Peak District along the beautiful Caldon Canal, reaching Cheddleton Flint Mill in around eight hours, passing through 12 locks and travelling just over 11 miles. As the Caldon Canal leaves Stoke, it begins to pass through gently rolling hills and wooded areas, past old mills and then alongside the stunning River Churnet. At Denford, boaters can take refreshment at the popular Hollybush Inn and at Consall Forge, the secluded Black Lion pub serves good food and real ales.
Float across 'The Stream in the Sky' to Llangollen and back – from Drifters' base at Chirk on the beautiful Llangollen Canal in North Wales, the awesome UNESCO World Heritage Status Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Eisteddfod town of Llangollen, can be reached on a short break. Standing at over 125ft high above the Dee Valley, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is 1,000ft long, supporting a cast iron trough across 19 enormous hollow pillars. With not even a hand rail on the south side of the aqueduct to obscure the stunning views of the valley below, canal boaters literally feel like they are floating above the earth. Once in Llangollen, boaters can moor up to enjoy exploring this pretty town nestled on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains, including its regular markets packed with local produce, choice of independent shops and restaurants and famous Horseshoe Falls.
Cruise to Todmorden and back for some stunning Pennine scenery – on a short break (three or four nights) from Drifters' base at Sowerby Bridge, canal boat holiday-makers can travel to Todmorden and back along the Rochdale Canal – a journey which travels a total of 20 miles, passing through 34 locks and takes around 16 hours. The historic town of Todmorden offers visitors fine Victorian architecture, plenty of pubs and restaurants, and a busy market. Along the way, boaters pass through the beautiful Calder Valley village of Mytholmroyd, the birthplace of Ted Hughes, and the old mill town of Hebden Bridge, nestled in a fork in the hills, with an amazing variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs and a series of scenic waymarked walks.
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All aboard for Autumn Afloat
August 6, 2019 /in boating, boating holidays, Calder & Hebble Navigation, Caldon Canal, canal boat holidays, canal holidays Scotland, Grand Union, Kennet and Avon Canal, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Llangollen Canal, narrowboat hire, narrowboat holidays, River Severn, Short breaks, Stratford Canal, Union Canal Scotland, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, yorkshire canals /by Drifters
A canal boat holiday is a great way to enjoy the splendid colours of autumn in the hedgerows and trees that line our waterways, as they are dramatically mirrored in the water.
There's plenty of wildlife to spot along the way during the autumn months, including flocks of fieldfare searching for hawthorn berries, and small mammals stocking up on food before the winter.
There are also foraging opportunities along the way, such as apples, blackberries, sweet chestnuts, rosehips, elderberries, damsons and sloes – perfect for fresh fruit crumbles and drinks on board.
To celebrate, here are our top nine destinations for this autumn:
Amble along the Ashby to Snarestone and back – on a week's holiday from Drifters canal boat hire base at Braunston, canal boat holiday-makers can travel to the pretty village of Snarestone and back, travelling a total of 47 miles, passing through eight locks and taking around 32 hours. This largely rural route takes boaters up the North Oxford Canal to Rugby and on to Hawkesbury Junction to join the Coventry Canal. Five miles later, boaters can transfer onto the peaceful lock-free Ashbury Canal, which winds peacefully through countryside for almost the whole of its 22-mile length. From Carlton Bridge to Snarestone, the canal is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Along the way, boaters pass close to Market Bosworth and the site of the Battle of Bosworth Field. Here in 1485 the reign of Richard III ended and Henry Tudor became Henry VII, the first of the Tudor monarchs.
Glide across The Stream in the Sky – from our new canal boat rental base at Whixall on the Prees Branch of the Llangollen Canal in Shropshire, boaters can reach the pretty town of Llangollen in 12 hours with just two locks to pass through, perfect for a relaxing week afloat. Along the way, boaters travel through the historic market town of Ellesmere and over the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (also known as the Stream in the Sky), which this year celebrates 10 years of World Heritage Status. Once in Llangollen, canal boat holiday makers can enjoy visiting some of the town's many local shops, restaurants and markets, including The Buttered Crust Café and Bailey's Deli.
Go blackberry picking on the Stratford Canal – from our canal boat hire base at Wootton Wawen on the Stratford Canal, it's a picturesque seven-hour cruise through the Warwickshire countryside to Stratford upon Avon, with plenty of hedgerow foraging opportunities along the way – perfect for a short break. Once at the birthplace of the Bard, boaters can moor up in Bancroft Basin, just a stone's throw from the Swan Theatre, to explore the town's many independent shops, restaurants and museums, including Shakespeare's Birthplace and Tudor World.
Float through the Brecon Beacons to Taylbont-on-Usk – the beautiful Monmouth & Brecon Canal offers 35 miles of quiet countryside to explore with incredible views of the Brecon Beacons. From Drifters' narrowboat hire base at Goytre Wharf near Abergavenny, on a short break (three or four nights) boaters can journey through the wooded Usk Valley to Talybont-on-Usk, visiting villages and historic market towns along the way, including the Georgian town of Crickhowell with its 13th century castle. Once at Talybont-on-Usk, boaters can enjoy walking access to Blaen y Glyn waterfalls and a choice of pubs, including the Star Inn and the White Hart Inn. The total journey there and back travels 36 miles, passing through 10 locks and takes around 18 hours.
Visit the old mill town of Hebden Bridge – on a short break (three or four nights) rom Drifters' canal boat rental base at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, canal boat holiday-makers can travel along the leafy Calder & Hebble Navigation through the Calder Valley to the old mill town of Hebden Bridge, nestled in a fork in the hills. Climbing through woods, fields and small stone towns, the journey to Hebden Bridge covers seven miles, 10 locks and takes around five and a half hours. Once at Hebden, boaters can moor in the centre of town to enjoy a good choice of pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops and markets as well as stunning walks up to Heptonstall or Hardcastle Crags.
Explore Georgian Bath afloat – on a short break from our Hilperton boat yard on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Trowbridge in Wiltshire, canal boat holiday-makers can travel to the World Heritage Status City of Bath and back, enjoying beautiful views of the southern Cotswold Hills along the way. The journey to Sydney Wharf takes just six hours, travelling across two magnificent aqueducts, passing through one lock and several canalside pubs, including the popular Cross Guns at Avoncliff. Once in Bath, boaters can moor up and it's a short walk to the City Centre to visit some of the City's world class attractions, including the Roman Baths and Royal Crescent.
Complete the Stourport Ring – from Drifters' narrowboat hire base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, on a week's break narrowboat holiday-makers canal travel the popular Stourport Ring, travelling a total of 74 miles and passing through 118 locks, which takes around 44 hours). The route takes in the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, the Worcester & Birmingham Canal Navigation, upper section of the River Severn, Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, Birmingham Canal Main Line and the Birmingham Canal Old Main Line. The Stourport Ring visits three cities – Wolverhampton, Birmingham and the ancient City of Worcester. Highlights include: Wolverhampton 21 locks; Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin in Birmingham City Centre; open countryside on the River Severn; Stourport Basins; Bratch Locks at Wombourne; the pretty village of Kinver with access to the National Trust's famous rock houses; the Black Country Living Museum; and Cadbury World.
Cruise through the Scottish lowlands to Linlithgow and back – from our canal boat hire base at the Falkirk Wheel boat lift, it's a peaceful five-hour cruise through the Scottish lowlands along the Union Canal to the historic town of Linlithgow – perfect for a short break (three or four nights). The route begins passing over the Falkirk Wheel – the world's first rotating boat lift which replaced a flight of 11 locks and then passes through two tunnels and two aqueducts, plus miles of peaceful countryside before reaching Linlithgow. Once there, narrowboat holiday-makers can visit the beautifully preserved remains of Linlithgow Palace on the shores of Linlithgow Loch, and sample some of the town's excellent eateries, including the award-winning Four Marys pub.
Potter through the Shropshire countryside to Market Drayton – from Drifters' canal boat hire base at Brewood on the Shropshire Union Canal, it takes around 10 hours to reach the historic market town of Market Drayton, home of the gingerbread man – perfect for a mid-week break afloat. Along the way, boaters pass through miles of beautiful Shropshire countryside, six locks and a series of villages with canalside pubs, including the Junction Inn at Norbury and the Royal Oak at Gnosnall. Once at Market Drayton, boaters can enjoy picking up supplies at the Wednesday Cheshire market and admiring the town's beautiful architecture.
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Top 5 Festivals to visit afloat this Autumn
July 13, 2019 /in boating, boating holidays, canal boat holidays, Kennet and Avon Canal, narrowboat hire, narrowboat holidays, Short breaks, Trent & Mersey Canal, Worcester & Birmingham Canal /by Drifters
Britain's beautiful inland waterways flow through some our most exciting towns and cities, all hosting annual events and festivals.
Today's narrowboats provide comfortable accommodation with all the essential home comforts, including well equipped kitchens, fresh water flushing toilets, hot water and showers, comfortable beds, TVs, DVD players and many now have WiFi too. So canal boats make a great base for visiting a festival, as well as the opportunity to cruise through the countryside to get there.
Here's our guide to the Top 5 festivals to visit afloat this autumn:
The British Ceramics Biennial, 7 September to 13 October – bringing together over 300 contemporary artists for a vibrant programme of exhibitions, installations and workshops, this international festival will occupy a series of venues in Stoke on Trent, including the China Hall, Middleport Pottery, the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Spode Works and World of Wedgewood. It's not surprising that canals are nearby, as boats were used to transport both raw materials and the finished product for the ceramics industry during the Industrial Revolution. Drifters' Peak District canal boat hire base at Etruria in Stoke on Trent provides easy access to many of the venues and Drifters' base at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal is 17 miles and 13 locks (eight hours) from moorings close to Spode Works, and 14 miles and 12 locks (seven hours) from the World of Wedgewood.
Stone Food & Drink Festival, 4-6 October – Staffordshire's biggest celebration of all things gastronomic takes place at the Georgian market town of Stone on the Trent & Mersey Canal. As well as a range of themed food marquees, the festival hosts demonstrations by top chefs, a beer festival, live music, gourmet dining in the pop up restaurant, street food and a farmers' market. From Drifters Peak District canal boat hire base in Stoke on Trent, it takes around five hours to cruise to Stone, travelling nine miles and passing through 10 locks along the way. From Great Haywood, it takes around five hours, passing through just four locks.
Abergavenny Food Festival, 21-22 September – each year chefs, food businesses, farmers and food producers come together in Abergavenny to offer people from all walks of life the chance to explore and learn about food, with an outstanding programme of events including product tastings, kids activities, masterclasses, hands-on cookery lessons and topical debates. Drifters' canal boat hire base on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal near Abergavenny offers the chance to explore the local area afloat and use a canal boat as the base to visit the Food Fest.
Birmingham Comedy Festival, 4-14 October – the award-winning Birmingham Comedy Festival has been drawing attention to the City's vibrant comedy scene since 2010. From 4-14 October, a packed programme of stand-up comedy, improve and sketches from big names to exciting new emerging talent will run at venues throughout Britain's exciting second City. From Drifters' canal boat hire base at Tardebigge on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove, it takes just five hours to reach moorings in Birmingham City Centre.
Bath Children's Literature Festival, 27 September to 6 October – now Europe's largest festival dedicated to children's literature, the Bath Children's Literature Festival offers the chance for children and young people to meet the creators of their literary heroes and to see illustrations come to life. Events this year include an audience with Cressida Cowell, author of the hugely popular 'How To Train Your Dragon' series, and a drawing masterclass with top illustrator Sarah Warburton. Drifters has a number of narrowboat hire bases on the Kennet & Avon Canal close to Bath, including Brassknocker Basin, just four hours by boat from Bath City Centre.
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Local government all over the world is synonymous with bureaucracy and red tape processes. Think of any municipal government in your city or town and the words "paperwork" and "inefficiencies" come to mind.
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In South Africa, local government inefficiencies are behind many of the country's violent protests. Communities are often dissatisfied with the level of service and responsiveness of their municipalities.
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The most important objective is to develop simpler, user-friendly services and more efficient workflows as an integral part of the day-to-day operations of the municipality. This will help to save time and money.
With KDS Direct's proposed solution, access to information will always be up-to-the-minute, routine administrative tasks will be performed with greater speed and reliability, and collaboration between municipalities/agencies will be easier and better. This, KDS Direct believes, is the future of efficient governments.
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The success of any organisation is closely linked to the quality of its work, where technology plays a vital role. Local government is no exception!
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text:
Innerviews writer Anil Prasad arrives in Norwich for the patented 'Bowness Tour Of The Fine City'.
Anil is tall and friendly, and with the right backing band and sensual production, his rich Canadian voice could transform him into the 21st Century Isaac Hayes. Idealist to the last, I'm not so sure he'd be up for it.
Along with verbally righting the wrongs of corporate industries, discussing racism in the US and the UK (Oldham riots etc…), I introduce Anil to Welsh Rarebit at the King Of Hearts and we listen to bits of the new No-Man and Centrozoon albums. I also play him a Henry Fool track (Pills In The Afternoon). Written last month, this already feels like something I've known all my life. Unfortunately, I fail to convince him that Goldie's Saturnzreturn is the most undervalued and bizarre album of the last half decade.
During 'the tour', we bump into Anne from the group Fiel Garvie (an interesting PJ Harvey/Throwing Muses style combo), the owner of excellent local shop Dots And Squiggles (sadly closing down at the end of the month) and Fiona from my occasional college course. By God, I'm popular!
Michael Bearpark arrives an hour later than expected and myself and Peter force him to watch the DVD of The Imposter. An adequate sci-fi romp, it's based on a Philip K Dick short story that's remarkably similar to the much hyped Minority Report. Not as good as MR, it's certainly not much worse either. For my part, I prefer Tom Cruise in the magnificent, underrated Magnolia.
Late Night Laments
© 2021 Tim Bowness // Site design by Crystal Spotlight

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Kids and grown ups alike will adore this sweet car night light that's based on the much loved VW Beetle of old. Made from matt white porcelain for a contemporary feel, the finer details of the car are outlined with pin holes that allow the light to shine through. Mains operated with an inline switch, this adorable lamp emits just enough light to reassure little ones at night making it a very stylish night light.


For primary packaging, particularly of high-value products including biologics and some vaccines, a high recovery vial such as the NextGen™ V-Vial®; provides long-term savings for pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Pharmaceutical companies manufacturing billions of liquid doses each year risk significant product waste when using flat-bottom vials for end user packaging. According to the U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP), "each container of an injection contains sufficient excess" of the labeled dose or size to allow withdrawal of the labeled quantity of drug.1 High Recovery Vials (HRVs) that feature conical shaped bottoms significantly reduce residual waste by enabling maximum product retrieval without the need to overfill.
DWK Life Sciences, a leading provider of laboratory glass and plastic consumables for life science and biopharmaceuticals, including HRVs, conducted a study that examined residual waste in HRVs and flat-bottom vials.
DWK compared a standard 2mL flat-bottom vial, a 2mL WHEATON® E-Z Ex-Traction® Vial, and a 2mL WHEATON® NextGen™ V-Vial®.
A balance was turned on with draft shields closed, allowed to equilibrate and tared to zero. The empty, dry vial was placed on the balance, and the mass was recorded (MD). The vial was removed from the balance, and 1.50mL of distilled water was added using a manual pipette. The filled vial was then returned to the balance where its mass was recorded (MF). The filled vial was removed from the balance and set on a flat surface. Using the manual pipette, as much distilled water as possible was retrieved from the vial. Finally, the mass of the emptied vial was measured and recorded (ME). Twenty-five individual vials were measured and recorded for each vial type.
From these collected data, both the volume of liquid in the vial, or filled volume (VF) and the residual volume (VR) of liquid left in the vial were calculated. Subsequently, the percent waste (PW) and percent decrease (PD) were determined.
The residual volume measured in each flat-bottom vial averaged 116.9μL. For the E-Z Ex-Traction, average residual volume was recorded as 2.7μL, while for the NextGen V-Vial, residual volume was 1.1μL, as shown in Table 1; n = 25 for all trials.
The E-Z Ex-Traction and NextGen V-Vials both significantly decrease product waste. The E-Z Ex-Traction Vial offers a 97.7% decrease in wasted residual product, while the NextGen V-Vial offers a reduction of 99.1%.
Applying the sample data to a theoretical 50L batch size, the standard flat-bottom vials generated the most product waste with 7.8% of the product remaining in the vial. The E-Z Ex-Traction Vial produced a significant reduction in waste with only 0.2% of the residual product remaining and the NextGen V-Vial further reduced waste to 0.1%. This reduced waste results in 2350 more fills with the E-Z Ex-Traction Vial and 2383 more fills with the NextGen V-Vial compared to a flat-bottom vial. For primary packaging, particularly of high-value products including biologics and some vaccines, a high recovery vial such as the NextGen V-Vial provides long-term savings for pharmaceutical manufacturers. Return on investment in HRVs stems from greater product recovery without the need to overfill for complete retrieval. The USP recommends that pharmaceutical manufacturers overfill vials as much as 24 percent "to permit withdrawal and administration of the labeled volumes."2 Using HRVs lets pharmaceutical manufacturers fill considerably more vials with the same batch volume, ultimately reducing manufacturing costs. In addition, HRVs eliminate the possibility of end users pooling" residual volumes from individual vials to create additional dosages.
In addition, HRVs eliminate the possibility of end users "pooling" residual volumes from individual vials to create additional dosages.
DWK offers two High Recovery Vial options: The NextGen V-Vial and the E-Z Ex-Traction Vial. Heavy-walled NextGen V-Vials offer maximum protection of high value drug products and minimize product waste. For less expensive pharmaceutical compounds, the smaller, lighter E-Z Ex-Traction vials offer standard product protection and reduced product waste.
If a product outside the standard offering is required, DWK Life Sciences Premium Services offer a range of services from cleaning and barcoding standard items to full product design.
The NextGen V-Vial features a steep conical well, offering exceptional downward drainage and enabling maximum product retrieval. Manufactured in the United States of USP Type I borosilicate glass, the V-Vial's heavy-walled design provides excellent chemical resistance and protection of high-value contents during packaging and transportation. With a choice of screw thread or crimp/serum finishes, the V-Vial is ideal for primary packaging of high-value biologics and diagnostic reagents.
The thinner-walled, E-Z Ex-Traction Vial is ideal for both chemical compound and biological sample storage. The conical well design and smooth transition from interior wall to conical well ensure increased sample recovery over standard flat-bottom vials. Manufactured in the United States of USP Type I borosilicate glass, each vial is quality engineered to tight tolerances for use with automated handling systems.
PreviousHow Safe are Your Samples? Beware of Leachables and Extractables!
SMARTER INNOVATIONS. FASTER TO MARKET. SUPERIOR SUPPLY.


Applicants for admission to the graduate program in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese must submit the Graduate Division's on-line Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships on or before the deadline.
The department offers two Ph.D. programs, a Ph.D. in Hispanic Languages and Literatures and a Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures, emphasis Spanish. Students should become thoroughly acquainted with both degree programs (HLL and RLL) and determine which program best reflects their objectives before submitting their application. A Master's Degree in a Linguistics field for applicants to HLL Linguistics is highly recommended.
Students are responsible for reading and complying with all application guidelines. All supporting documents listed below must be submitted by the December deadline through the University online application. The time available to departments for the review of applications is extremely limited. Please note that late and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Applications are accepted for Fall term only.
Three (3) Letters of Recommendation. You must obtain three letters of recommendation to support your application. Letters should be written by persons in a position to judge your academic abilities and potential in the field. They must be submitted online through the University online application. Recommendation Letters must be uploaded by DECEMBER 22nd at the latest!!
Transcripts – All undergraduate and graduate work from each institution attended. This includes foreign institutions, study abroad programs, junior colleges, and certification programs. A bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution with a satisfactory scholastic average of a minimum of 3.0 (B) is required. Upload unofficial transcripts with the online application for the departmental review. Official transcripts will be required if admitted.
GRE scores are not required for the Hispanic Languages & Literatures program, but are required for the Romance Languages and Literatures (RLL) Program. Berkeley's institution code is 4833.
International students who have never attended an English-speaking university must take the TOEFL examination, or equivalent. Note: Students working on a M.A. degree in Spanish/Portuguese from a U.S. institution are required to take the TOEFL as evidence of English proficiency. A minimum score of 90 on the Toefl iBT is required for admission. TOEFL scores must be less than two (2) years old. Tests taken before June 1, 2017 will not be accepted. You must request that Educational Testing Service (ETS) send the score report directly to UC Berkeley, please use the following codes: Institution code: 4833.
Writing Sample. Required for all applicants. Writing samples should be in the form of thesis or research paper on a topic relevant to the fields of Romance and/or Hispanic languages and literature (about 15 pages. English, Spanish, and Portuguese are accepted). Writing sample must be uploaded with the online application.
Graduate Student Instructor Application (GSI). Applications for Graduate Student Instructor for the teaching of Spanish and Portuguese are accepted from applicants newly seeking admission to our graduate program. Candidates must upload the GSI application and recording to the main graduate division admissions application.
Statement of Purpose: In your statement please indicate why you wish to pursue graduate studies, your goals, the intellectual field of primary interest and the topic(s) within it that you have worked on in classes, papers or trips abroad. Please explain why the topic is compelling and how you wish to develop it at Berkeley (approximately 500-1000 words). For more information click here.
Personal Statement: Personal statement should give concrete evidence of your promise as a member of the academic community, giving the committee an image of you as a person. This is where you represent your potential to bring to your academic career a critical perspective rooted in a non-traditional educational background, or your understanding of the experiences of groups historically under-represented in higher education and your commitment to increase participation by a diversity population in higher education (approximately 500-1000 words). For more information click here.
IMPORTANT: For the purpose of campus-wide fellowship competitions, applicants who submit the statement of purpose and personal history statement in Spanish/Portuguese should also submit an English version of both.
The Departmental Committee on Admissions and Fellowships examines and evaluates all applications for admission (including those with requests for fellowships and/or teaching appointments) early in the spring semester of each year. Its recommendations concerning admission and fellowships are made to the Graduate Division by mid-February.
The Department informs all applicants recommended for admission, admission with fellowship, or admission with teaching appointment in early March; formal admission letters from the Graduate Division follow shortly.
Criteria for the selection of applicants for graduate study in the various programs offered by the Department include the following, the first four being of principal importance: closeness of previous academic record to the stated prerequisites for the program of interest, especially in breadth and strength of studies; recommendation letters, with special attention to evaluations of research potential; GPA in the B.A. (and if appropriate, in the M.A.) courses in the appropriate fields, including language proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese or Catalan; statement of purpose, showing evidence of intellectual initiative and commitment; student's stated field of emphasis, in light of departmental offerings and fields of faculty specializations.


text:
Congressman Tom Reed votes to repeal and replace Affordable Care Act
by Kelsey O'Connor May 4, 2017 May 4, 2017
Dr. Nia Nunn (left) and Congressman Tom Reed stand on the steps of the Southside Community Center. Alyvia Covert/Ithaca Voice
Congressman Tom Reed voted in favor of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act on Thursday.
Reed, who represents Ithaca and New York's 23rd Congressional District, was one of 217 Republicans in the House to support the American Health Care Act. Reed has been a longtime supporter of repealing the Affordable Care Act.
In a statement Thursday, Reed said the passage of the health bill is a victory that will provide property tax relief for New Yorkers.
"Today is a great victory for the American people. We are finally on the path to fixing our broke and broken health care system. The AHCA upholds protections for pre-existing conditions and the expansion of Medicaid, which help our most vulnerable populations. The bill will also provide much needed property tax relief for New Yorkers who are unfairly forced to foot the bill for Medicaid. We care about giving people the freedom and flexibility to make their own health decisions while providing promised tax relief for middle-income families and small business owners," Reed said in a statement.
The bill, which passed 217-213 Thursday, would eliminate tax penalties for people without health insurance, and also phase out Medicaid expansion. All Democrats and 20 Republicans opposed the bill.
Many in Ithaca and Tompkins County have made it clear over the past few months that they do not agree with repealing the Affordable Care Act. Ithaca Common Council and Tompkins County Legislature passed resolutions opposing the repeal, though in the case of Tompkins County Legislature they opposed the repeal without a replacement. Both resolutions were directed at Reed.
In the resolution passed by Tompkins County Legislature, it noted that the repeal of the ACA would put about 8,000 Tompkins County residents at risk of losing health care.
Related: Tom Reed town hall in Ithaca: 'I am here today because I care'
When Reed visited Ithaca for a town hall in March, the first and biggest topic of concern for local residents was the Affordable Care Act. During that visit, Reed was clear that he supported repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.
"We took up the bill last week in our committee. We have the structure in place that will be going to the floor in two weeks to repeal the Affordable Care Act," Reed said at the town hall in March. "We are going to replace it – these are reforms that I support that are part of a 3-part process which will happen over the next 13-24 months – maybe longer."
When the Congressional Budget Office evaluated the first version of the bill, it found that it would reduce federal spending by about $337 billion, but it would also leave 24 million people covered under the Affordable Care Act without insurance after a decade. The latest version of the bill has not been scored yet by the Congressional Budget Office.
The American Health Care Act now moves to the Senate.
Featured image: Dr. Nia Nunn (left) and Congressman Tom Reed stand on the steps of the Southside Community Center by Alyvia Covert.
Tagged: Affordable Care Act, tom reed
Kelsey O'Connor
Kelsey O'Connor is the managing editor for the Ithaca Voice. Questions? Story tips? Contact her at koconnor@ithacavoice.com and follow her on Twitter @bykelseyoconnor.	More by Kelsey O'Connor


Specialized DJs/MCs for high-class fun weddings, offering stage- and up-lighting, photo booths, photographers, videographers, the sky's the beginning as far as your personal taste, all with discounted package rates.
There have been limitless reasons to have a celebration, and we have helmed many! We have amazing entertainment fits for any type of party or event one might want to make memorable and talked about for years and years ….
Gorham Productions is a wide-thinking professional entertainment company that specializes in individual attention. We work with our clients until we're both ensured that each event matches the clients' initial vision.
What we are not is a corporate 'DJ factory' that churns out events and gives them to the next guy on the list. We have a handful of carefully chosen entertainers that will be matched up with your event according to their unique experience and personality.
Dan is an amazing wedding D.J. He captured our wedding dreams perfectly and was extremely professional and helpful in every way! Our wedding guests had the best time dancing and we have Dan to thank! Highly recommend!!


The Canton of Aargau (German About this sound Aargau (help·info); rarely anglicized Argovia; see also other names) is one of the more northerly cantons of Switzerland. It is situated by the lower course of the River Aare, which is why the canton is called Aar-gau (meaning Aare province). It is one of the most densely populated regions of Switzerland.


Sunday, April 21: Ultra 200 Small Bore.
Wednesday, April 24: Ultra 500 practice and ANZAC Day Big Bore Revolver practice.
Thursday, April 25: ANZAC Memorial Big Bore Revolver.
Saturday, April 27: Ultra 500 State Championships.
Sunday, April 28: Ultra 500 State Championships.


Kortex™ works by comfortably stimulating the brain to produce serotonin, endorphins and melatonin while lowering the stress hormone cortisol, as demonstrated in published studies. A 60-subject study also demonstrated improved focus and concentration after low dose alternating current stimulation, and a 2012 study determined that low dose alternating current modulates the brain's Default Mode Network (DMN). Access our research Dropbox.


Switzerland has joined the Schengen Space. Find out what are the changes for holders of a Swiss residence permit?
What are the changes for holders of a Swiss residence permit?
submitted to the Consulate (see § 7 for appointments).
along with a valid passport.
Switzerland will be a part) for the duration indicated on the visa.
territorial validity visa (to Switzerland).
contact the Swiss authorities, in order to obtain Schengen visas.
+41 900 84 72 37).
268 85 25 between 11 am and 1pm only, from monday to friday.


I haven't done too many paid gigs in my dancing career. It just hasn't been something that I've been interested in doing. Performing, working on routines, marketing myself, have the right "look", finding a partner, and hustling for gigs just sounds like a drag.
This weekend my friend Shannon convinced me to partner with her for a swing dancing gig at an Indian casino up near Fresno, California. Seemed like exactly the kind of adventure to have while on sabbatical!
The venue was a large outdoor concert space, decked out with 50s themed decorations.
A six piece swing band was the evening's entertainment for a special event for high rollers at the casino. Our job as dancers was to dance to the band on-stage and get the audience dancing.
The crowd, as you would expect, was mostly older white folks. There was a BBQ buffet, an open bar, and gambling just a few feet away in the casino. I wondered how much our music and dancing would interest them, given all those other temptations.
I shouldn't have worried. Ken the band leader did a great job at getting the crowd amped, clapping, and singing along. People were there to have a good time, whether they had canes, walkers, or wheelchairs.
But the real fun was getting to dance with the older folks in the audience.
Another African American woman just wanted to hold my hand and sing along to a Louis Jordan song. "This is my jam!" she explained.
An older man Dan was a dancing fiend during the whole concert. He vigorously shook all our hands afterwards, thanking us for our dancing. Later on, Dan kept the party going in the dance club well past midnight. I kind of want to be Dan when I get older.
It calls to mind something that my friend Neal does whenever he's out in a public venue with swing music. He tells me that if there's swing playing, his goal is to get the oldest person in the room dancing. It could be an outdoor concert in a park, a restaurant during brunch, or a wedding. If he sees an elderly person at a table with her family, he makes a beeline for her.
It's a good reminder to me that most all of us, regardless of our age or physical condition, love to dance. It's a part of our DNA. All it takes is a little bit of encouragement, a gentle invitation, and they jump at the chance. Getting paid to get someone up and moving, beaming, laughing, and having the time of their lives is pretty damn good money.


LIVERPOOL flop Mario Balotelli has been offered an escape route out of his Anfield nightmare.
The Italy international endured a difficult 2014/15 campaign on Merseyside and has spent this season on loan at Serie A giants AC Milan.
However, he has once again failed to deliver on the promise which saw Roberto Mancini spend £17million (21.8m euros) to take him to Manchester City in 2010.
Crotone secured promotion after finishing second in Serie B this season.


text:
package com.orange.beaconme_sdk.ble.model;

import java.io.Serializable;

/**
 * Reflects device identity.
 */
public class DeviceFootprint implements Serializable {

    private String uuid;

    private int major;

    private int minor;

    public DeviceFootprint() {}

    /**
     * Create new footprint
     * @param uuid uuid of the device
     * @param major major of the device
     * @param minor minor of the device
     */
    public DeviceFootprint(String uuid, int major, int minor) {
        this.uuid = uuid;
        this.major = major;
        this.minor = minor;
    }

    public String getUuid() {
        return uuid;
    }

    public int getMajor() {
        return major;
    }

    public int getMinor() {
        return minor;
    }

    @Override
    public boolean equals(Object o) {
        if (this == o) return true;
        if (o == null || getClass() != o.getClass()) return false;

        DeviceFootprint that = (DeviceFootprint) o;

        if (major != that.major) return false;
        if (minor != that.minor) return false;
        if (!uuid.equals(that.uuid)) return false;

        return true;
    }

    @Override
    public int hashCode() {
        int result = uuid.hashCode();
        result = 31 * result + major;
        result = 31 * result + minor;
        return result;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: jQuery removeClass(), how it works I have images on my page. User can add more images onto the page by clicking a button. New images are added asynchronously. Initially, each image on page use a special class to be used when the image is loaded. After the image is loaded, that class is removed.
Each image being loaded has the class imageLoading:
<img class="imageLoading" scr="someimage.png">

After those images are loaded, I remove that class (simplified code without details):
 $('img.imageLoading')
         .each(function(){ $(this)
         .load(function(){ $(this)
         .removeClass('imageLoading');
                               });});

Visually, I see that style is removed. But when I run the query again:
$('img.imageLoading')

I see via debugging that all images, not just loading ones, are returned, i.e. it works like I didn't remove the class for the images that were already loaded.
I had a look into the page source, and I saw that actually in HTML the class was not removed, though removeClass() was called.
Is that behavior by design that all visual changes are applied but the class attribute is not removed in HTML code? If so, how it can be workarounded in this case. Or, probably, I missed something.
UPD
Source code
I didn't resolved the problem yet, so post some code to show how it works and where the problem is.
My code works this way (unimportant details removed):
Loading images are processed:
after page loading:
    <script type="text/javascript">
       $(function() { processLoadingImages(); })
   </script>

after asynchronous call:
function onRequestComplete(result) {
            var div = document.createElement('div');
            div.innerHTML = result;
            document.getElementById('images').appendChild(div);
            processLoadingImages();
        }

Processing images by processLoadingImages function:
function processLoadingImages() {
         $('img.loadingImage').each(function() {
        if (!imageLoaded($(this)[0])) {
            $(this).hide()
                .load(function() {
                    removeImageLoadingClasses(this);
                    $(this).fadeIn();
                });
        }
        else {
            removeImageLoadingClasses(this);
        }
    });
}
function removeImageLoadingClasses(jqueryObj) {
        jqueryObj.removeClass('loadingImage');
        jqueryObj.parents('div').removeClass('loadingImageContainer');
    }
    function imageLoaded(img) {
        if (!img.complete)
            return false;
        if (typeof img.naturalWidth != 'undefined' && img.naturalWidth == 0)
            return false;
        return true;
    }

As you can see, for each image there is a div container with a class that is removed for loaded images.
How did I check that the query retuns all images even those for which removeClass was called? I debugged imageLoaded function (see above), and it's always called for all the images.

A: When you view the code in the browser, you see the original code sent by the server. You should see an instance of the DOM to verify that the class is there. You can do that easily in Firefox with Firebug.
Unless you have reloaded the page, the new query shouldn't match the images that the imageloading class was removed. Check also that the code that runs the removeClass method operates as expected. Firebug is a great tool to test such behaviour.

A: try .removeClass('imageLoading'); in place of .removeClass('imageloading');

A: Inspect using a debugging utility like firebug and observe the result. Changes that you make to the DOM using javascript won't be reflected in page source.

A:
Is that behavior by design that all
  visual changes are applied but the
  class attribute is not removed in HTML
  code?

answer: YES
with firebug in firefox, or web dev tools in google chrome, you can see the changes... but not the original code changes...

A: I'm sorry about much ado about nothing. I've just incorrectly passed the jQuery object into the subroutine:
removeImageLoadingClasses(this)

instead of
removeImageLoadingClasses($(this))

So it's okay now.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Now onto 3's with an extra set….Things are getting real now..
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