mormargh
Well-Known Member
Seeing as the weather is going to trash another weekend opportunity to air the canvas, I thought I would share some thoughts on destinations based on our cruise at the end of last season. We did the Northern part of the area this time so it will be the turn of the Blackwater/Crouch area later on this year (meteo permitting). If anyone did that area last year, please pitch in.
Ore: Jolly Sailor still ahead of the rest. Entrance OK but exit a real pain if you need to head S again with some tide, fine if heading N as you can come out on HW. We've decided it's neaps only now.
Deben: New shower block at Tide Mill now best on the coast. Kings Head, Woodbridge and Ramsholt Arms excellent. Maybush consistent and reasonable. Entrance challenging but did not feel as dangerous on exit as the Ore. Another neaps only for us this year.
Orwell: Butt & Oyster still retains charm in front bar and snugs even though part of a chain. Staff changes, but service good. Ye Olde Ship, Levington excellent - best of the week. Lightship v good. Who is that woman behind the counter at the SYH office? Unbelievably miserable - as a visitor puts me off the place.
Stour: Shotley v efficient. Showers rubbish and all were cold except handhelds in the baths in the bertholders block but understand refurbishment has occurred over the winter. Bristol Arms friendly and very good value food. Shipwreck underwhelming. Wish laundry had longer hours. Excellent Wifi - see elsewhere on forum.
Backwaters: Ship and Red Lion at Kirby both still good - Ship has the edge on food, Red Lion on beer. WFYC improved - new steward who is young and well clued up, going places. Food pretty good also. Harbour Lights - regret Little Chef analogy still valid, and no getting away from the electric piano music, even when the pianist is not there! However, Fernando is back, which is a relief and the beer is still £2.50 and there are choices other than Green Thing. White electricity cards for the pontoons are troublesome - 50% of ours did not work.
Happy planning, or whatever else you are doing this weekend. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Ore: Jolly Sailor still ahead of the rest. Entrance OK but exit a real pain if you need to head S again with some tide, fine if heading N as you can come out on HW. We've decided it's neaps only now.
Deben: New shower block at Tide Mill now best on the coast. Kings Head, Woodbridge and Ramsholt Arms excellent. Maybush consistent and reasonable. Entrance challenging but did not feel as dangerous on exit as the Ore. Another neaps only for us this year.
Orwell: Butt & Oyster still retains charm in front bar and snugs even though part of a chain. Staff changes, but service good. Ye Olde Ship, Levington excellent - best of the week. Lightship v good. Who is that woman behind the counter at the SYH office? Unbelievably miserable - as a visitor puts me off the place.
Stour: Shotley v efficient. Showers rubbish and all were cold except handhelds in the baths in the bertholders block but understand refurbishment has occurred over the winter. Bristol Arms friendly and very good value food. Shipwreck underwhelming. Wish laundry had longer hours. Excellent Wifi - see elsewhere on forum.
Backwaters: Ship and Red Lion at Kirby both still good - Ship has the edge on food, Red Lion on beer. WFYC improved - new steward who is young and well clued up, going places. Food pretty good also. Harbour Lights - regret Little Chef analogy still valid, and no getting away from the electric piano music, even when the pianist is not there! However, Fernando is back, which is a relief and the beer is still £2.50 and there are choices other than Green Thing. White electricity cards for the pontoons are troublesome - 50% of ours did not work.
Happy planning, or whatever else you are doing this weekend. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
