Drifters Waterway Holidays Review
Drifters Waterway Holidays
Reviewed by The Wilson Family
All packed and ready to go our first day begins with the drive down to Shropshire’s Union Canal, our starting point being Brewood. Prior to our start we received a DVD, boater’s handbook and a couple of canal maps to help navigate us along the way. It’s a good idea to study both the DVD and handbook as it gives information on getting started, the basics such as operating locks of different types, controlling the boat, mooring up, safety, rules and good boat behaviour. It’s not essential to become an overnight seaman as you are given a good explanation from the staff at Countrywide Cruisers (part of the Drifters Waterway Holidays consortium) as well as general holiday makers and regular boaters along the way are always willing to lend a helping hand.
Arriving at Brewood, my family and I (my wife Lisa and two daughters Holly, 9 and Megan, 7) were greeted by Nadia who was very friendly and helpful showing us where to unload our car and park as well as helping the children wear the lifejackets they provided. The adults are offered one but we decided we would be ok without. Cliff would be our guide around the boat who goes over the health and safety of the boat including taking care of the boats maintenance, checking the water and oil daily, topping up the water tank etc… Nothing too taxing and fairly straightforward procedures most people will be a custom to using their own car. Onboard the boat was lovely, well kept, clean to a high standard, everything you would expect and more from the usual fridge/freezer, oven/hob kitchen facilities. Toilet and bathroom are modern and clean. Plenty of fresh towels and even fresh fruit were waiting for our arrival. Cliff came with us initially along the way for a couple of miles to make sure all was ok and any additional questions were answered. Should you forget any of the procedures then a log book is available onboard to quickly recap. Before long we were on our own sailing down the picturesque Shropshire canal route on our very own 40ft barge! A little daunting at first but soon you get the idea and control of the boat. As cliff says you can’t just do little turns with the tiller (steering beam) and you do move the tiller left to go right and vice versa so steady as she goes is the order of the first day until you get comfy enough to pass on the reigns long enough to trust the other half whilst you dart for the loo or grab a drink. After a few miles and the first lock we were relaxed and started to enjoy a great experience that you wouldn’t get with any “regular” holiday. The girls were very excited and can help out tying the ropes on and off and moving the lock gates as well as obviously playing pirates ha!
We decided to have a go at mooring up after only half an hour or so just for practice whilst it was quiet and no other boats around. It also gives you a feel of using reverse to slow down and stop as with all canal boats they don’t come with brakes so getting used to guiding the boat in is a team job as one jumps off when near to the back to help pull the boat in and begin mooring. Our first lock went ok-ish! One of us actually forgot to jump off the boat to open the paddles and we realised a little late but as said a friendly boater helped us out with the first gate and paddle and once the boat was in my wife jumped out to wind down the other end. Sometimes the paddles can be a little stiff so choose one of the strongest members of your team or like me let your wife have ago and laugh until you get shouted at.
Our route is a simple one, great for newbie’s such as us, not many locks and tunnels to negotiate. We decided our first stop would be Wheaton Aston, once a farming village that now consists of mostly houses and your typical village amenities such as post office and convenience store. There’s quite a bit of history with the area some of which is detailed in the map given prior to arriving for those interested in the areas past. We stopped off and moored before eating at the local pub, Hartley Arms, that offers a good selection of ales and food. I believe there is also a few other eateries dotted around including the Coach and Horses and Momtai Spice a local Bangladeshi restaurant. Typically boaters are asked to moor up around 8pm or dusk whichever the sooner, mornings again around 8am onwards.
Day two and our first nights stay, we all slept well, usually all boats are moored around 8pm so it’s very quiet, mooring up is fairly straightforward and there’s several options and tools for the job and the DVD and manual explains this as did Cliff upon arrival. Again there’s always someone at hand to help out too if needed. All facilities onboard worked as they should. The kitchen was well equipped and had all the cooking, washing and eating facilities you would wish for. The bathroom is well fitted and the shower and hot water worked very well. All washed and fed we started on our next stretch of scenery. There are various stops along the way and many a tavern and local pub or tea room to take a rest or grab something to eat. We did a few hours before stopping today but the time just seems to get eaten up and although we did a few hours in one stint it seemed easy and enjoyable relaxing as the sun shined down taking in the scenery, tiller in one hand and a cup of tea in the other it is a fair reach from life back home for most of us in our hectic run around lifestyles. This for us and most is a big plus that has to be made clear, you become part of a lifestyle you can’t rush or fly past and hurry along. Trying to do locks at top speed or mooring up in under 5 minutes won’t do you any good. Take your time slow down relax and become part of a long history and lifestyle that only knows how to “go with the flow”. Our girls didn’t get bored one bit it gave them time to enjoy watching the many a duck and swan family gently paddle past looking for the odd bit of bread or anything on offer.
We stopped off at Gnosall Heath, moored up and walked around a mile or so to a lovely little deli called the Gastronomy Shop where we had chocolate brownies and Panini in that order for some reason but hay we’re on holiday so all normal rules go out the window. Returning to the boat we filled up with water which dependent on how far you go and how much you use you may have to fill up daily or every other day. We had to fill up twice in five days not too bad and only takes a few minutes and very much like filling up your car water or fuel just a cap and a hose goes in and away you go. A full tank gives you around 100 litres of clean water good enough to drink, make a cup of tea or take a shower. We drifted off heading further towards our main destination Market Drayton and stopped short at Tyler Grange. Here we moored up for the night and took a walk up to the first of five locks in pretty much a row all dropping each into another level that we would have to negotiate in the morning. It was also another place to fill up on water if needed and another local eatery nearby was available but after a long stint the kiddies were a little tired an so we dined in, had a couple of board games and watched a DVD whilst listening to the rain beat down on our cosy little canal boat. Morning soon came and we had a walk up and watched a couple of people who had mastered the art of locks and took notes. It’s worth noting and it does mention in the handbook and DVD provided that you do need to use some manners and common sense, for example if you need to fill a lock so you can get in to go back down, take a look ahead and give way to someone in the opposite direction that will be coming up. Might as well have a boat in the empty lock and let them come through as you fill it again, likewise the same in reverse. The girls enjoyed pushing and pulling the gates open with their mum and being part of the action just keep them clear of the winder (windlass) which is fine to use but you have to check that the safety catch is on and so we decided jus to let them push the gates open and close. Five locks later and we didn’t do too badly. A little bit of help along the way and as there is always someone coming up or down there’s always a helping hand to make things that bit easier.
Shortly after the final lock we arrived at Market Drayton, a bustling little town with some familiar shops and lots of little cafes and pubs. It worth noting that a Wednesday is a good day to arrive for a visit as the markets are on and a great time to have a wonder and pick up a few bits and bargains. We grabbed a few cheap items to keep the girls entertained on the boat as well as a couple of fresh punnets of strawberries of the fruit stall which would go down nicely on the boat with a glass of wine. There’s a lot of good cafes and pubs as well as sandwich shops dotted around we spent lunch at the large pub adjacent to the top of the market unfortunately I forget the name but it’s fairly obvious where it is when you get there. We spent half a day here wondering around the outside and inside market and generally around town before heading back to our boat. Now our journey was scheduled to end Friday morning vacating the vessel at 9am so we didn’t want to be late we also thought instead of rushing the Friday morning we would plan to be there for the Thursday evening and eat in Brewood. On this note it may well be worth making a note of forward planning because any problems on the way back of any sort may slow you down as nothing really moves fast in this lifestyle. Along the way back and hitting the first lock of five it seemed there was a queue of about five boats before us on top of this as one goes up a level in the lock you need to allow anyone coming down into the lock time to get in before emptying for you or anyone else to go up. Patience is the order here and as I said before a little planning it took time but caused no issues we had a little chat to the fellow boaters whilst others had a drink and worked on their tan in this lovely weather we was enjoying. A couple of hours later we was past our last lock and on our way back stopping off at a water point before mooring up at Gnosall for the evening. We ate in here and as said before the kitchen offered no bother and was easy enough to move around and cook for 4.
The following day after a couple of hours sailing back we got to Brewood in good time. Lots of people we talked to mentioned how lovely this town is, very picturesque. We decided our last evening meal would be at the bistro named the “Mess”. Contritely to its name this is a lovely Bistro/restaurant offering a good menu for adults and children. The food was obviously fresh and being in the industry myself I can guarantee this. The food was excellent and my wife and I can certainly recommend the Sicilian beef stew with crusty bread and homemade baked vanilla cheesecake. Even Holly who went for a simple chicken goujons hand freshly seasoned chicken not the usual processed stuff you might find elsewhere!
To conclude the holiday surpassed us all we had a great time and the girls seemed to get on better than ever maybe due to the calming atmosphere and general kindness that’s offered here. Taking to some of the boaters you can see why the choose this as a way of living and surely gives you food for thought heading back to house that we work long hard hours to keep certainly makes you think twice that maybe there’s another way of living to look at! We will definitely be re booking and heading out again this was a holiday but also a lifestyle change if only for a short time. One holiday where you get back and actually feel like you have had a break, a relaxing time and yes you have to do a bit of exercise on the locks and mooring but how else do you expect to work off all that food and drink! Everyone must add this to their “bucket list” as one thing to try if only once.
Massive thanks and praise go to Drifters and Countrywide Cruisers and its entire staff. We shall see you again soon!
Rating: 5/5 
The Wilson family holidayed with Countrywide Cruisers, part of the Drifters Waterway Holidays consortium, which offers over 500 canal boats for hire from 35 bases.
2014 prices start at £415 for a short break (three or four nights) on a boat for four people, weekly hire from £575.
For more information visit www.drifters.co.uk or call 0844 984 0322.
