May 2009: �Harriet�, Black Prince, Stoke Prior

After a long winter I was off with my parents, and Josh the dog for a week aboard �Harriet�, a 58ft Duchess 4 from Black Prince.
The route was the Stourport ring which included just over a 100 locks and around 6-7 cruising hours a day.

June/July 2009: �Silver Emblem 1�, Ferry Marina of Horning

Ferry Marina�s new dual steer design looked quite attractive in the brochure, and with a smart interior and an �island� double bed allowing more comfort through not being squeezed inbetween two bulkheads we were sold. We had her for four days in superb weather - even managing to get sunstroke on day one!
We steered from the external helm for the whole time, and handling was easy, especially with the luxury of bowthrusters.

Everyone at the boatyard was very friendly and keen to help, and this newly expanded hirefleet seemed to be well set up. I was less enamoured with the exterior in reality compared to the artists impression, the front view being particularly unusual and one I didn�t warm to - otherwise hard to fault

October 2009: �Rhapsody 3�, Richardsons of Stalham

With the season nearing an end it was vital to squeeze in another trip before the long winter and inevitable boating withdrawal symptons kicked in!

Richardsons �Rhapsody 3� had been fully refitted in recent years to a nice standard and was a very comfortable home for a few days.

The open plan saloon and galley gave a spacious feel and also worked well, and the 240v system was handy for my laptop! On the whole the weather was good and I really liked the boat!

September 2009: �Lady Suzanne�, Kris Cruisers of Datchet

Six of us were off for a few days in glorious sun on the River Thames. We cruised up to Teddington and then to Windsor for our last night, with other overnight�s at Shepperton and Hampton Court.

The boat was a Bounty 40 from Kris Cruisers and was turned out to their usual good standard. It was nice and spacious for the six of us, and the sliding canopy spent most of the daytime slid back!

The saloon was spacious with enough seating for us all and converted to a huge bed at night!

The scenery was impressive most of the trip, and even the urban areas through Birmingham and Wolverhampton were not without interest. My Sister and Partner joined us for the first couple of days which also a big help though the Tardebigge flight of 35 locks!
The boat was incredibly comfortable. Built in 2007 and including some comfy armchairs which there was a bit of a race for at the end of each days lock work! A more energetic holiday than we have been used to in recent years but very enjoyable, and nice to cover more ground through doing a circuit instead of the more standard �out & back� route