T h u r s d a y, January 26 - We d n e s d a y, February 1, 2012 Scunthorpe Telegraph 51STE-E01-S2 w w w. t h i s i s s c u n t h o r p e . c o . u k

Setting sail for a holiday with a differenceTr avel FOODDRINKMOVIESMUSICTHEATREPUBSEVENTS

N ever-say-die housewifeNatalia Robinson, ofBurringham Road,

Scunthorpe, took husband Phil andtheir three children on theirfirst-ever cruise on a barge – andwhat an eye-opener it proved to be.

It was an experience the fiveland-lubbers totally enjoyed and arekeen to repeat again this summer.

The soon to be christened “SwishFamily Robinson” were booked infor a weekend short-break withShire Cruisers aboard a grand oldlady called The York.

Their starting point for theirground-breaking cruise along theRochdale Canal was The Wharf atSowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire –about a 90-minute drive from theirh o m e.

Soon-to-be-appointed Bosun Phil, alocal heating gas engineer, andskipper Natalia were given a crashcourse in handling the locks andwere assured that all stoppingpoints on the canal had at least onepub serving food.

The three youngest would-bemariners were warned not to goalong the gunwales – and spent therest of the weekend trying to findthem.

The family also learned that theRochdale ran for 33 miles fromSowerby Bridge to Manchester andcontained 91 locks, all dating backto 1804

Their slow but steady voyagealong the Rochdale turned into areal party, mixing with fellowbargees and visiting the manycanal-side attractions including forshoe-mad Natalia a bargain-ladencar boot sale and a great Indiant a ke - aw ay.

“ We are all dying to gocruising again

Natalia Robinson

Natalia said: “As you can imaginewe were quite apprehensive at firstbut Phil and I and the kids soon gotinto the swing of things.

“For years we had flown off to thehottest destinations in search of ourdream holiday – totally unawarethat a world like this existed.

“Our 56-feet long boat comprisedof everything we needed to live infor the weekend.

“It was a simple yet compactenvironment cooker, fridge andshower and the beds were comfy.

“The York was by no means a

BY NICK COLEnick.cole@gsmg.co.uk

five-star hotel but for the nextthree nights it was our ownlittle haven.

“After a talk on the safety andoperational drill, the kids werefitted out with life jacketswhich they loved. We werejoined by a guide to explain thesteering of the barge and howthe locks operated.

“At that stage I decided tobecome the pilot and leave Philto do the donkey work.

“Soon we were cruisingunder our own steam.

“Stood aboard the boat withmiles of water way ahead webegan to study and savour thefantastic views our weekendhome had to offer.

“After a while you noticesomething far better than theviews and the wildlife. That isthe people you come across.

“How many times a day doten people pass you and ninesay hello? Or passers-by helpyou to operate a lock.

“I understand this type ofholiday might not suit everyone but it opened my world upto a new experience.

“We are all dying to gocruising again.”

S hire Cruisers celebrate40 years in business nextyear. In 1980 the firm was

taken over by husband andwife team Nigel and SueStevens who now operate 17boats, ranging from two berthto 10-berth.

Their charges start from £380inclusive of fuel and damagewaiver for short-breaks andfrom £520 for weekly hire.

Call 01422 832712 or visitwww.shirecr uisers.co.uk

ALL ABOARD: The Robinson family enjoyed a weekendshort-break with Shire Cruisers aboard a grand old ladycalled The York. Left, the interior

FAMILY FUN: Phil and Natalia Robinsonwith their children Hannah, Holly and Theo

The Travel Office,Chapel Court, Brigg

tel: 01652 653583

All tours 2 nights or moreinclude our Free “HomeCollection Service”

©NM

Spring Coach ToursFriday 16th March -THRIPLOW DAFFODILS &NATIONAL STUD, staying at The Hundingdon MarriottHotel. A great new luxury spring break, flowers & foals!(3 Days) £190 per personMonday 19th March - ISLES OF SCILLY An unspoiltparadise waiting to be discovered, flying from NewquayAirport and including Tresco Gardens by boat!(5 Days) £590 per personFriday 6th April - EASTER AT DISNEYLAND, ReturnEurotunnel crossings, two night’s accommodationand full day Park Entry plus time in Paris!(3 Days) Great Child Reductions £280 per AdultSaturday 14th April - HARRY POTTER & LEGOLAND,Visiting the Warner Bros Studios for a behind thescenes tour plus a day at Legoland, Windsor!(2 Days) Great Child Reductions £175 per AdultFriday 20th April - SHAKESPEARE’S STRATFORD, It’sShakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations in Stratford, enjoythe great atmosphere of pageantry, music & theatre.(4 Days) £275 per personThursday 17th May - FLORIADE & DUTCHEXPLORER, The once in every decade event thatclaims to be the finest horticultural event of the year!Return P&O Cruise from Hull plus excellenthotel in Arnhem, half board throughout.(6 days) £500 per person

Value holidays by coach

Bookings HORNSBY TRAVEL& Enquiries:-Tel:- 01724 282255

Visa/Access accepted

Also book atmany localtravel agents

Pick up points: Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Barton, Brigg, Epworth.Haxey, Winterton, Gainsborough, Lincoln, Messingham,

Scotter & Scunthorpe

LONDON WEEKEND(VALENTINES)

Friday 10th February 3 Days2 nights bed & English breakfast atthe 4 star Hilton Metropole

£169

EARLY MYSTERYSaturday 25th February 2 Days1 night dinner, bed & breakfast at aminimum 3 star hotel

£89

TORQUAYMonday 5th March 5 Days4 nights dinner, bed & breakfast at theImperial hotel (one of Torquays best hotels)with 2 nights entertainment & a cream tea

£275

MOTHERS WEEKENDSaturday 17th March 2 Days1 night dinner, bed & breakfast at theMenzies Mickleover Court hotel with aspecial afternoon tea in Hawkesyard Stately Hall

£99

LONDON & THE OLYMPICPARK

Saturday 30th June 2 days1 night dinner, bed & breakfast at the4 star Ramada Hotel, Heathrow.Including an Olympic site tour

£119

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CallReservations Direct on 0845 844 4044

or visit your local Applebys First Choice Travel ShopGRIMSBY 01472 355964

IMMINGHAM 01469 572595 • BRIGG 01652 650409Also at Golden Hind, Cleethorpes 01472 602499

and Althams Travel at Scunthorpe and Barton upon Humber

Applebys Coach Holidays, Conisholme, Louth, Lincolnshirewww.applebysholidays.combowen

TRAVEL GROUP

Subject to availability. Door to Door Home Collection Service - ask fordetails. Supplements may apply. For Terms & Conditions

see Applebys Summer 2012 brochure

FROM ONLY

£219For 4 Days

Romanceof Yorkshire

ForEaster

Friday 6 April • 4 days from £219Staying at the Holiday Inn Leeds Bradford for

three nights dinner bed & breakfastDoor to Door Home Collection Service

The county of Yorkshire has some of the finest uplandscenery in England. On this tour we visit York,

Knaresborough & Haworth; and feature HarewoodHouse, a steam train ride on the delightful Worth ValleyRailway, and a cruise on the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

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