tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748486345009283762024-03-05T21:28:45.686+00:00Narrow boats SICKLE and CHALICEAlan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.comBlogger281125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-47627505512541905952015-04-24T17:55:00.002+01:002015-04-24T17:56:03.226+01:00I'm Deeply Curious......I'm deeply curious why we are continuing to get as many hits as we are on this old "Sickle and Chalice" blog, when it was largely mothballed several months ago in favour of the replacement "Sickle and Flamingo" blog.<br />
<br />
As the old blog is regularly getting more page hits than the new one, either the message has not got through that there is a new one, or, (as I suspect) a lot of the hits here are not genuine real people trying to look at the old blog.<br />
<br />
Once again, if you are a real viewer, or have saved bookmarks, please switch to the new "Sickle and Flamingo" blog, which can be found <a href="http://sickleandflamingo.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>.Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-46473949734485283322015-04-19T18:32:00.002+01:002015-04-19T18:32:08.191+01:00End of an Era - "Chalice" is Sold!<span style="color: mediumblue;"><span style="color: purple;">Posted by Alan</span></span><br />
<br />
Those
who "do" Facebook, or follow the CanalWorld Discussion Forums will
probably know this, but it seems quite a few read the blog, but don't
necessarily see updates in either of those place.<br />
<br />
So for completeness, repeated here......<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vas_JV0c-U0gtzVKc8kXv3dpOR7BB9HF4nS4wupfi4GY3FL5knwS1fva9b3S4xRvjPMy-Slv2Z_WMAYDyVTOsVc-tbfUONwiuhe7rORWSeoWkjbbmAdWDDXhRqjXjky67_WksUzId7d_/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vas_JV0c-U0gtzVKc8kXv3dpOR7BB9HF4nS4wupfi4GY3FL5knwS1fva9b3S4xRvjPMy-Slv2Z_WMAYDyVTOsVc-tbfUONwiuhe7rORWSeoWkjbbmAdWDDXhRqjXjky67_WksUzId7d_/s1600/IMG_1815.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chalice is blacked for its new owner, following a clean survey.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A bit of an historic day for us on Friday, as the sale of "<span class="searchlite">Chalice</span>" has gone through quickly and without bother - the money is now in the bank, so she is firmly now not our boat.<br />
<br />
Chalice is the boat we bought 10 years ago when I came back to the
canals after many years of not owning one, and we have covered a huge
amount of the canals and rivers in that time, much of it many times, and
we have had many great adventures. Right now I'm naturally a little
bit saddened to lose a comfortable, reliable and well sorted cruising
boat when its replacement needs many weeks of hard graft to make it
anything like as usable, but at least now we are relieved of
responsibility for one of the fleet, and can knuckle down to sorting out
"Flamingo".<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nA6PbFQfOmPeanuVNMyaOOasNeoFykDNxJjk_cg9NqrYRtj53mbatHBowg1L9ArD7EWaTgQ1Xnivx0Ol4BX1F7uSZcDOeYDsjMRGw4wFSQDtqlnp4gOBqA4WwTA-ckokHAoX7OLGIyQ1/s1600/IMG_1820.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nA6PbFQfOmPeanuVNMyaOOasNeoFykDNxJjk_cg9NqrYRtj53mbatHBowg1L9ArD7EWaTgQ1Xnivx0Ol4BX1F7uSZcDOeYDsjMRGw4wFSQDtqlnp4gOBqA4WwTA-ckokHAoX7OLGIyQ1/s1600/IMG_1820.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Chalice" has never been craned before in our ownership - always "slipped".</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My extreme thanks to Dominic Miles and his team at Rugby Boat Sales for handling the sale of "<span class="searchlite">Chalice</span>"
and quickly finding us a buyer that quickly progressed through survey
to completion. What we badly wanted was to price sensibly and get it
sold, and that is exactly what we have achieved.<br />
<br />
Incidentally the surveyor apparently found "<span class="searchlite">Chalice</span>"
in very good order with nothing significant to report - quite unusual
on a 20 year old boat, and we are pleased to be able to pass on a boat
we have owned for half its lifetime with such a clean bill of health.<br />
<br />
Time to remind anybody reading this here on the old "Sickle & Chalice" blog that you now need to update any links or bookmarks to the alternate "Sickle and Flamingo" blog that we have now had running for a few months.<br />
<br />
<h2>
The "Sickle and Flamingo" blog can be found <a href="http://sickleandflamingo.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>. </h2>
Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-12202052490391047902014-12-22T14:10:00.002+00:002014-12-22T14:10:23.393+00:00Another Chapter In Our Boating Story<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<br />
Well it has finally happened , after lots of false starts, and one persistently less than serious "seller".<br />
<br />
We can now announce that our "new" (old) boat is "Large Northwich" "Flamingo", originally built for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company as their "Letchworth" by the same builder as "Sickle", (W J Yarwood & Sons), and in the same year, (1936).<br />
<br />
As a result we are now transferring blogging operations to a new "Sickle" and "Flamingo" blog, as the intention will be to sell "Chalice" as soon as we can get organised enough to do so.<br />
<br />
So far that blog contains nothing about "Flamingo", but it is our intention that it will, as soon as we can find some time.<br />
<br />
It can be found <a href="http://sickleandflamingo.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Please update any bookmarks you may have that feference the "Sickle and Chalice" blog, to replace them with the "Sickle and Flamingo" one. Thank you.<b><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></b>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-33620493692497371992014-09-07T17:44:00.002+01:002014-09-07T17:44:42.996+01:00Storming a tunnel, then pausing for a boat viewing.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Sickle & Chalice - posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Very retrospective post for Friday 29th August. </span></b><br />
<br />
Not a lot to report, really. <br />
<br />
If we are going North from, or returning South to, the home mooring for either boat then the Grand Union South of Norton Junction is the route involved. As a consequene we normally travel the stretch we were on today many times a year.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjJuROoQOleoJs2MakQi18ULhqKq0350h8jh2ZF-3jrBqea-SmK1JKKGLyz6Vb9oKrKe6DZHP7e3A2dA-Q8uYx138M9x-mfi_v6LrvCJJfjNT38iGUKdxt03HKi_3rwbZe-QUF0e6b1M/s1600/IMG_6854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjJuROoQOleoJs2MakQi18ULhqKq0350h8jh2ZF-3jrBqea-SmK1JKKGLyz6Vb9oKrKe6DZHP7e3A2dA-Q8uYx138M9x-mfi_v6LrvCJJfjNT38iGUKdxt03HKi_3rwbZe-QUF0e6b1M/s1600/IMG_6854.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straight in for a very rapid passage of Blisworth tunnel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What will always vary, though, is our rate of progress. With a clear run, not stuck behind anyone, we can usually whip along quite fast. However at other times rapid progress becomes impossible This doesn't just apply in terms of catching up slower moving boats on the long lock-less pounds - it applies even more to passages through the lock flights, and even the long tunnels.<br />
<br />
Today we wanted to make good progress, but had established that an historic boat that has now been on the open market a few weeks was still unsold. It is normally in the area we would pass through, and as it might match sufficiently what we have been looking for for a while, I had arranged to view it as we passed through Blisworth.<br />
<br />
In fact, on arrival at Blisworth a call to the owner established that it was after all still at Stoke Bruerne, and had not been moved North through the tunnel as they had planned. So, we set off again with both boats.<br />
<br />
Now at this time of year, it is fairly unusual to get an unimpeded run through Blisworth tunnel, but as I approached there was a clear view through, with no other boat in it. This is a situation to be exploited with "Sickle" - because of the "bow swings right when stopping" characteristic described in yesterday's posting, things can get interesting when you finally see past someone's blinding headlight that they are nowhere near their side of the tunnel, and hence you don't have room to pass. But today nobody came in, and I could really ind the speed wheel right up. Whilst this may sound a bit extreme, another advantage is "Sickle's" engine smokes less when worked harder, so you are less asphyxiated by fumes if you are not forced to go through a tunnel slowly. I incidentally know how long I took, and frankly am doubtful of some of the more exorbitant claims I have seen from others about particularly fast timings - they certainly could not be achieved with "Sickle", and "Sickle" is a fairly brisk boat.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVUtdcy6ogQjVw3VF9exbKnKXZKGv_RIWL2w2qlQqwtAmixV3arTfJb1bom9u0HJqD4UB2x1wvnEmJG7XQpinEcFfkHqWMtffVBHL6qGSMyylD9HW3PTs9Lbseh4AvGtOBeC94geqN2w/s1600/DSCF9654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVUtdcy6ogQjVw3VF9exbKnKXZKGv_RIWL2w2qlQqwtAmixV3arTfJb1bom9u0HJqD4UB2x1wvnEmJG7XQpinEcFfkHqWMtffVBHL6qGSMyylD9HW3PTs9Lbseh4AvGtOBeC94geqN2w/s1600/DSCF9654.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It has fitted at least twice before", the owner tells us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We stopped and easily found moorings for both boats in the "tunnel pound" at Stoke Bruerne. The moorings here that are supposed to have been so problematic to find space in always seem to have more than ample space available. We made arrangements to view the boat after a lunch at the boat - as the owner was working just a few days away, that worked well for all concerned.<br />
<br />
We very much liked many of the elements of the boat we viewed - much of which would have worked well for us. However quite a bit of it was in poorly neglected condition, (as we knew it would be), and to sort out properly looked a large and expensive project. We took lots of pictures, and went away to think about it, and do a bit more research.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhMnVHVC3l6qGBoUFV9Ac3wCj60Hu7JTN_89eehJs7yz9Zyv4PPPu3l7kAvlmK4uWRfcKmfTXYcEqlWa1ERrvK7oADzK_Kx7fuRU9L1UnkO_B8QJzWjwC76S9ycM59q15_6H91X2bzks/s1600/CIMG6457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhMnVHVC3l6qGBoUFV9Ac3wCj60Hu7JTN_89eehJs7yz9Zyv4PPPu3l7kAvlmK4uWRfcKmfTXYcEqlWa1ERrvK7oADzK_Kx7fuRU9L1UnkO_B8QJzWjwC76S9ycM59q15_6H91X2bzks/s1600/CIMG6457.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CRT might waste less electricity if they didn't run the back-pumps excessively.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A largely quick passage down the locks followed, although we were briefly delayed when someone tried to turn a 59' 6" boat below the second lock down, and got stuck. Having turned "Chalice" at nearly ten feet shorter there recently, I was surprised near 60 foot was possible, but the owner assurred us he had managed it a couple of times previously, although the spot chosen had to be precise. Anyway, on this occasion, he decided the audience saw too large, so we helped free him from his jammed position, and he moored up having not yet turned.<br />
<br />
We have recently discovered that a spot a couple of bridges down from the locks provides a good overnight mooring, and, not wishing to press on longer, tied up there.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Weedon to Grafton Regis</span><span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 13.4 (Chalice), 13.4 (Sickle), Locks: 7 </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 829.5, Locks: 527 </span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-87434486232851686242014-09-07T14:55:00.003+01:002014-09-07T14:55:51.275+01:00Did I mention I'm no great fan of the Northern Oxford?<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Sickle & Chalice - posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Very retrospective post for Thursday 28th August. </span></b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4uz9A0z6MjFPs7X09ivP6BSyc0HlMzlRy83bRkbVl9CZBU_FqBIp40bbrNrYeXO43uCTJscZoKTrT5nAwt60f1dt47An4fSDir_XVvELsaKIYm6NWFhIS32VrRgiIBuC_BOqHoDbRV4/s1600/IMG_6834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4uz9A0z6MjFPs7X09ivP6BSyc0HlMzlRy83bRkbVl9CZBU_FqBIp40bbrNrYeXO43uCTJscZoKTrT5nAwt60f1dt47An4fSDir_XVvELsaKIYm6NWFhIS32VrRgiIBuC_BOqHoDbRV4/s1600/IMG_6834.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working boats "Fenny", "Willow (and "Sickle") at Braunston Turn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Popular though it undoubtedly is, I struggle to list the Northern Oxford amongst my favourite canals. It does indeed have the opportunities for some pleasing interludes, and last night's rapid ascent of the three paired Hillmorton locks with two boats was such an interlude. However there are many miles without locks, and often a lot of traffic, often involving slow moving boats, or boats in the hands of the inexperienced. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK1Z3WnScB8UTCqkBdaI5tpXT4FUQnr37ahSa6ZNnb-EEpN3-Et6s3BzptlCTtfuabR2p2oDQ6MuB8RVjLJfwC2AiIh1M3shipc_VOHD6S_20mmEuu6KZUu6_tJ5yid-WQqQ1u0bKJPs/s1600/IMG_6838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK1Z3WnScB8UTCqkBdaI5tpXT4FUQnr37ahSa6ZNnb-EEpN3-Et6s3BzptlCTtfuabR2p2oDQ6MuB8RVjLJfwC2AiIh1M3shipc_VOHD6S_20mmEuu6KZUu6_tJ5yid-WQqQ1u0bKJPs/s1600/IMG_6838.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing locks again - ascending the Braunston flight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also lately it always seem to provoke some kind of "I'd rather it hadn't happened" moment. Today, unfortunately was no different to that pattern. After setting off with "Sickle" I encountered a number of meeting with boats at blind, or largely blind bridge holes. "Sickle" can be challenging in such situations, because although she can pull up very smartly, her design actually makes stoppingin a straight line in shallow waters very difficult. The direction the very large prop rotates will always result in the front end swinging left on a very quick stop, and it is very hard to compensate to stop this happening. Of course if she usually swung to the right, it would cause far less problems, as that should be out of the path of approaching boats, rather than into their path!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hAv04QO-Acrv6VNTKBCi9znvnjkPzqfSJtLMl946J1etM3gQPXO3KFiikmtL8uPiu0aFdrJkFCHs790RWPDLAwR_tmcPGnoVWcXm0_Jt0WfWDAw2jcL6Px0yUwdOnSQ2SZ5ntHcvGKU/s1600/IMG_6842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hAv04QO-Acrv6VNTKBCi9znvnjkPzqfSJtLMl946J1etM3gQPXO3KFiikmtL8uPiu0aFdrJkFCHs790RWPDLAwR_tmcPGnoVWcXm0_Jt0WfWDAw2jcL6Px0yUwdOnSQ2SZ5ntHcvGKU/s1600/IMG_6842.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although Odin is swimming well he wears his life-jacket for locks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, there is always a balanced decision to me made about whether it is practical to fully stop, without the bow swinging across the cut, and into the path of oncoming boats, or whether it is better to try far less stopping, and to regain better control, and manoeuvre out of a tight situation. Growing experience of this "difficult" boat has over the years meant I tend not to get it wrong very often.<br />
<br />
Today, however, I got it wrong, and came through a bridge hole where I had sounded my Klaxon to find a boat largely stopped in the middle but very close to where I was already committed to going. I indicated my intention to go "wrong side" of him, knowing my bow would slew over as I tried to reduce speed further, and could still have recovered the situation, but he made no attempt to move, and hence I clipped him fairly firmly.<br />
<br />
I knew it should not have happened, and wanted to apologise, and check no damage was done, but instead faced a tirade of abuse from the other steerer, who set off impatiently through the bridge, issuing a string of phrases based largely arount four letter words. So if you are reading this sir, I still apologise, but your behaviour was completely uncalled for, and, in the unlikely event any damage was done, we have now missed the opportunity to discuss it calmly.<br />
<br />
Did I mention I'm no great fan of the Northern Oxford?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAageDOKNJNfbNTkCpQzkZMKJEm-bchTK5YKd8N6J8RsWc63NEvuONyAmBo_K2RuKuykJsuk4pC__vSRv3y00JJChDia4u0YcfL9YhyPBccfrP0vopjkWfwDVDlcPl0ha8QhH0qzTX4U/s1600/CIMG6393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAageDOKNJNfbNTkCpQzkZMKJEm-bchTK5YKd8N6J8RsWc63NEvuONyAmBo_K2RuKuykJsuk4pC__vSRv3y00JJChDia4u0YcfL9YhyPBccfrP0vopjkWfwDVDlcPl0ha8QhH0qzTX4U/s1600/CIMG6393.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Nelson" lock at Braunston - both boats are taken in in parallel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway, on to even more familiar territory as we joined a busy Grand Union at Braunston Turn. The Turn was particularly manic, with boats all over the place, and I was expecting one of the very delayed ascents of Braunston locks that we have come to accept almost as the norm In practice things were not that bad, and our ascent of the locks relatively brisk. This was of course our first foray back into double locks with both boats since we travelled up here many weeks ago, and the boats could now share locks, greatly reducing our workload.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNANtltptJ9HuS8wMnkv9NelUOWn_gnxBQ1BfoJLHiD8Stm44pc7NXQyaqZEnsbreFqgDjfYERzS5KXAZdieD_J33rXe_huCnfK3p50UqKvuy3aXGqSP-I6NdljXBXxQXqSxvefZWy-I/s1600/IMG_6851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNANtltptJ9HuS8wMnkv9NelUOWn_gnxBQ1BfoJLHiD8Stm44pc7NXQyaqZEnsbreFqgDjfYERzS5KXAZdieD_J33rXe_huCnfK3p50UqKvuy3aXGqSP-I6NdljXBXxQXqSxvefZWy-I/s1600/IMG_6851.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David on "Chalice" leaves Braunston tunnel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The passage through Braunston tunnel was also quite brisk - I steered "Sickle", and David took "Chalice" through, and I think we only passed one boat. Long Buckby locks, (physically some of the harder Grand Union ones), were also navigated without too much difficulty. The foot of Buckny locks, near Whilton, and several miles beyond, are not a pleasant overnight stay - the very noisy M1 ruins this stretch of canal. So we pressed on to one of our preferred moorings - offside, high up on Weedon embankment. Although the West Coast Main Line is right nearby here, it never seems intrusive, for some reason. Once moored our friends James and Amy passed once more on "Willow". Unlike us, they were heading for the Northampton Arm, and the Nene, so this was the last time we would see them on this trip.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Hillmorton to Weedon</span><span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 16.7 (Chalice), 16.7 (Sickle), Locks: 13 </span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 802.7, Locks: 520 </span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-69732362985993502782014-09-07T12:41:00.000+01:002014-09-07T12:41:09.280+01:00A good day - and a "mini banter".<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Sickle & Chalice - posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Very retrospective post for Wednesday 27th August. </span></b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5b5fj3lWkXUxuB5_6HfLozfiR1iXW-PBx3zUVpuJNRQQOscuiWReXS1QsV_JTKiWX4DyTp95C89t5NoRExmdpsBn95aPejxpEef98fbsBY-v27UJPWhDdcvgqSKAag74vAnez9LaGeQ/s1600/IMG_6798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5b5fj3lWkXUxuB5_6HfLozfiR1iXW-PBx3zUVpuJNRQQOscuiWReXS1QsV_JTKiWX4DyTp95C89t5NoRExmdpsBn95aPejxpEef98fbsBY-v27UJPWhDdcvgqSKAag74vAnez9LaGeQ/s1600/IMG_6798.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A maybe slightly different view of Hawkesbury pump-house from most taken.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The run for home with two boats continued. This is only being written up about a week and a half later, and although I have memories of fairly long boating days, the statistics don't actually seem to reflect it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxLAX89UdSMEX4rfYVRdRj7_Lbjj9ev7OG0UG14_Kv0T7uwbmtO3RBtp4TOmKWLvwIs1SVCNDiVs91-MSn8scLz15-KjqUsbPRT2ok5TfC70BDP4F5iEQmlFG9ZeMG87qjedpCVOsQmI/s1600/IMG_6801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxLAX89UdSMEX4rfYVRdRj7_Lbjj9ev7OG0UG14_Kv0T7uwbmtO3RBtp4TOmKWLvwIs1SVCNDiVs91-MSn8scLz15-KjqUsbPRT2ok5TfC70BDP4F5iEQmlFG9ZeMG87qjedpCVOsQmI/s1600/IMG_6801.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More standard view of this iconic place - Cath brings "Chalice" round 180 degrees.</td></tr>
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Thinking back, though, I'm aware we did not start particularly early, and then needed to shuffle up to a water point at Hillmorton to refill Chalice's tank, which had taken a bit of a hammering at Alvecote, (we had had the whole family on board for a few days, and also offered showering facilities to others). We also dispatched large amounts of waste, including the infamous "Duvet from Hell" that had graced "Sickle's" from deck since yesterday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSWdOfHgLQU8jvuSnYUGfHeTOh6GDwRVpSTvi5-0Srybj4qbEZ0BjldW9yFs2W70w8j93IRp7YURioUbCgMFOb0EUYhdsZ5tTv-9mLshk4ANqtkov4HIbuD77CmqnHMUP5F_Dq273zcc/s1600/IMG_6819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSWdOfHgLQU8jvuSnYUGfHeTOh6GDwRVpSTvi5-0Srybj4qbEZ0BjldW9yFs2W70w8j93IRp7YURioUbCgMFOb0EUYhdsZ5tTv-9mLshk4ANqtkov4HIbuD77CmqnHMUP5F_Dq273zcc/s1600/IMG_6819.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David takes "Sickle" into Newbold tunnel - Cath follows on "Chalice"</td></tr>
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Once you are through the iconic stop lock at Hawkesbury, (known as "Sutton Stop" to boatmen), the early reaches of the Northern Oxford are not that attractive, but quickly give way to a far more rural setting, spoiled at times only by busy roads alongside, or motorways crossing high above. Also for many miles the West Coast main line of the railway closely shadows the canal - the Pendolinos and heavy frieght are not really obtrusive when on the move, but can affect where you might choose to moor overnight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRhZu_DDewrej9rp9nrmq9_DgeaV1TMUH44EaiczoSuCbkQBAJwTVqFz6xuzZd2GBG6gc-v0TVaZtxlqFxpeHhCyp0TTQMiMDmkI6WItQfHl5pmN3XJJweOKu3Q7Vtf9MiOVqyfZ3V0A/s1600/IMG_6829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRhZu_DDewrej9rp9nrmq9_DgeaV1TMUH44EaiczoSuCbkQBAJwTVqFz6xuzZd2GBG6gc-v0TVaZtxlqFxpeHhCyp0TTQMiMDmkI6WItQfHl5pmN3XJJweOKu3Q7Vtf9MiOVqyfZ3V0A/s1600/IMG_6829.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James and Amy on "Willow" - a boat I once went to view in the 1970s!</td></tr>
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We have decided already that when moving both boats together we need to exert a discipline of actually making proper lunch stops, and to not try simply boating right through the day. I knew that if I could I would like to stop at "Stretton Stop" near Brinklow, as there is both quite a good chandlery at Rose Narrowboats, and I wanted to stroll down the Brinklow Arm to chat to the folks at Brinklow Boats. In fact by Stretton on "Sickle" I had got some distance ahead of Cath and David on "Chalice", but managed to get moored up - albeit several feet from the bank.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRZTAjFw23eu2oMOIqtdkVJzma6DJRIedGlDGdieKmHnP0jM6UBh5PS5ay31NwMOGbqMDJFwzl8zzrtxsWD_3_K1qfNxZXj9Gw_ordrZpDEJdzenPzdCpSz4kIlysHuJoGDKEo1Zbut0/s1600/CIMG6379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRZTAjFw23eu2oMOIqtdkVJzma6DJRIedGlDGdieKmHnP0jM6UBh5PS5ay31NwMOGbqMDJFwzl8zzrtxsWD_3_K1qfNxZXj9Gw_ordrZpDEJdzenPzdCpSz4kIlysHuJoGDKEo1Zbut0/s1600/CIMG6379.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Synchronized locking - both boats in bottom Hillmorton paired locks.</td></tr>
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The chandlery at Rose Narrow Boats finally yielded the 20W-50 oil that few other people now seem to stock, and I was able to find Simon Wain at Brinklow Boats who gave me some idea about what steelwork on a certain old boat might cost, if we decided we had any interest in it. So Stretton had proved to be a good choice of stopping point.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMi4_HTB0tjmIOoRLABRSPgsSXnj8dxhOYWRgcaQlFxCt5XDCVN3aSpei29AsZFG5S4tzhljMmmlsH8GgRJx6BMglTqSwZkmrIrjbSMH-O0INxyWTuPO3_xKwuTjVO5NvK7foSh_8xpw/s1600/CIMG6382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMi4_HTB0tjmIOoRLABRSPgsSXnj8dxhOYWRgcaQlFxCt5XDCVN3aSpei29AsZFG5S4tzhljMmmlsH8GgRJx6BMglTqSwZkmrIrjbSMH-O0INxyWTuPO3_xKwuTjVO5NvK7foSh_8xpw/s1600/CIMG6382.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Synchronized locking - moving between bottom and middle lock pairs.</td></tr>
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Next stopping point was Newbold, as I had some very urgent mail that needed posting, if it was not going to cost me money. I wasn't quite sure whether we would be in time, but found eventually that the Post Office is located in the small supermarket there, and was still open. So not only did I manage my posting, but we had the bonus of being able to top up some essential supplies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPQBu2IHPtxCqXdEU6sAvex13tqBensexIcYMxyQAhxnGknVjBWxRbdKliJR_5It-BNSQOt_KEkAUM8huxkfnv8cCYAGgsS8pqjadcAHiOX_JYm6LF60TDHDvCmH-YifNJyOy7AU5owc/s1600/CIMG6386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPQBu2IHPtxCqXdEU6sAvex13tqBensexIcYMxyQAhxnGknVjBWxRbdKliJR_5It-BNSQOt_KEkAUM8huxkfnv8cCYAGgsS8pqjadcAHiOX_JYm6LF60TDHDvCmH-YifNJyOy7AU5owc/s1600/CIMG6386.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Synchronized locking - now heading from middle to top locks.</td></tr>
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Throughout the day we were leap-frogging with our friends James and Amy on their converted "Severner" working boat "Willow", and they came past us whilst tied up at Newbold. They tied up short of Hillmorton locks, which we decided to carry on through, but apperaed with windlasses to help work us up the three pairs of locks there at great speed. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAzF3oPMNEpdMcA3oT59wnY3I00fMgD7uAu1q0Jq1nPErKXs5dcgTc1dIGhdskrCeJlz0ZEQkVixrMedykcx0Yl21fBcpsyFEHMD0AVuQjnNVlOdbfSfQPEE2oFJrmzj0XsatZ_H4Nu0/s1600/CIMG6389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAzF3oPMNEpdMcA3oT59wnY3I00fMgD7uAu1q0Jq1nPErKXs5dcgTc1dIGhdskrCeJlz0ZEQkVixrMedykcx0Yl21fBcpsyFEHMD0AVuQjnNVlOdbfSfQPEE2oFJrmzj0XsatZ_H4Nu0/s1600/CIMG6389.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Progress slowed, as we catch boat in front of us.</td></tr>
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We had already arranged to meet another forum friend at the Old Royal Oak pub that lies just beyond Hillmorton locks, so James and Amy said they would also be along later for a "mini banter". I was surprised to find that the Old Royal Oak is a "Hungry Horse" pub, with a "2 for 1" deal type of menu, so our expectations were not that high. In practice there was a good vegetarian choice, the beers well presented, an area where Odin was allowed inside, and the staff were polite and helpful - don't always judge a book by its covers. A pleasant evening with friends, and Odin got led away at one tage and apparently had great fun with a new dog friend that lives on a boat nearby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwGz55eoULJoGOdvT0kBjVBjBlPAL1KscuPHgiQFoEGbnmIO3yXAQSJiG2-3KYbhsPCbypr1iZ04-MB6cm-iAWLM8ITjsEeLhBLDyzvAZRV5yP7A61w3emsOV0ObqPzqdcv4V69h_QQc/s1600/DSCF9578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwGz55eoULJoGOdvT0kBjVBjBlPAL1KscuPHgiQFoEGbnmIO3yXAQSJiG2-3KYbhsPCbypr1iZ04-MB6cm-iAWLM8ITjsEeLhBLDyzvAZRV5yP7A61w3emsOV0ObqPzqdcv4V69h_QQc/s1600/DSCF9578.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old bloke paired with old boat.</td></tr>
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A good day!<br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Hawkesbury to Hillmorton</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 16.5 (Chalice), 16.5 (Sickle), Locks:8</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 769.3, Locks:507</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-50153922941680579102014-09-06T22:00:00.000+01:002014-09-07T11:15:39.123+01:00Back to two boats in single locks - and the duvet from hell.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Sickle & Chalice - posted by Alan / Cath)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Very retrospective post for Tuesday 26th August. </span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQw6W0nU80ZAFUFRO5z6w575nszOi1Xb_vzk7hjrq6WOW2ncSCm7PKG6QnnYcERvEz2x5OfUNEVzuMAzCflaXQZexlJiuit_bOuLCioUF5VybtfmWeAuuUafDst97IuEdkAAW3mTWyiw/s1600/CIMG6363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQw6W0nU80ZAFUFRO5z6w575nszOi1Xb_vzk7hjrq6WOW2ncSCm7PKG6QnnYcERvEz2x5OfUNEVzuMAzCflaXQZexlJiuit_bOuLCioUF5VybtfmWeAuuUafDst97IuEdkAAW3mTWyiw/s1600/CIMG6363.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting at Atherstone after we had caught up slower boats.</td></tr>
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We were well positioned to start off up Atherstone locks in the morning, but, as we were just getting going, a number of other boats wishing to do the same turned up.<br />
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It is good to not be behind other boats, although not as much of an advantage as you might assume when working two boats together, because after you have been through a lock with one, it is inevitably left full, and hence needs to be emptied before you can go through with the second boat. This may be achieved simply by emptying the lock again, if no boat is coming the other way, or, if one is, letting that pass through the lock, leaving it ready a it does.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTAcs6zf9WLVJH_UuJ9esevX5D-2UFK5y3PQAyUsLGPU2epm8nGjZOIvaU1eLiUZF3J5HEd-RNnBXoY7Vy8-a5l-NaGsvUE_etRmmGRXM9XbPbFvc9GX4ZGvBC-ng31iamFdj-pzoRc8/s1600/IMG_6787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTAcs6zf9WLVJH_UuJ9esevX5D-2UFK5y3PQAyUsLGPU2epm8nGjZOIvaU1eLiUZF3J5HEd-RNnBXoY7Vy8-a5l-NaGsvUE_etRmmGRXM9XbPbFvc9GX4ZGvBC-ng31iamFdj-pzoRc8/s1600/IMG_6787.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hartshill depot - full of character but sadly neglected looking.</td></tr>
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The problem is that with only 3 crew on two boats, only one of whom (David!) feels confident to take large leaps, it is very easy to end up with the boats separated, and hence not easy for the third person (David!) to assist both steerers. At Atherstone, many people stop part way up the flight, often overnight, so it is a fair guarantee that even if you are first boats in at the bottom, you will encounter others casting off ahead of you as you move up - these may well end up between the two boats you are trying to keep together. This is compounded by people stopping for, and restarting again, after making shopping stops, or using the water point that is mid-flight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflhTtAqD89l_JB05U0SBd3zKSRoOSWpLqW-q-qvKwoKmTII8PUxPe9TeNcsRoCil0340XIYwdOwWC_O1hakybQC67YnMjXy-7pHKDdaf3F6vAEciw7iOsfk14ykgwmO4E5GvXXI69LCQ/s1600/IMG_6790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflhTtAqD89l_JB05U0SBd3zKSRoOSWpLqW-q-qvKwoKmTII8PUxPe9TeNcsRoCil0340XIYwdOwWC_O1hakybQC67YnMjXy-7pHKDdaf3F6vAEciw7iOsfk14ykgwmO4E5GvXXI69LCQ/s1600/IMG_6790.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former working boatman Top Lapworth passes on "Nutfield"</td></tr>
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Considering the volume of boats trying to move up the locks, we did remarkably well, often assisted by a crew behind that knew what they were doing, but to stop David trying to assist at locks that were not next t each other, and hence covering far too much towpath too many times, I had a couple of times to pull over to let boats thatr had started up between "Sickle" passing a spot, and "Chalice" doing the same come past. It really didn't affect the overall timing much, and kept things a bit saner for us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthKeknbEz4GkblXo5GkGXgzJBn60Bym26AcC7LlDp8tlS-ysqHRuMEXXF5d5U-73V-OaaRUEJECzsYxd5ypt9Y4R__UMqHe6PlFslpI49DB0YVnFToslAhr37hyw11lAxcXcuxnfjwlg/s1600/IMG_6791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthKeknbEz4GkblXo5GkGXgzJBn60Bym26AcC7LlDp8tlS-ysqHRuMEXXF5d5U-73V-OaaRUEJECzsYxd5ypt9Y4R__UMqHe6PlFslpI49DB0YVnFToslAhr37hyw11lAxcXcuxnfjwlg/s1600/IMG_6791.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Alice Lapworth in charge of "Raymond".</td></tr>
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I thought the whole thing took a long while, (it is not helped by just how slowly most of these locks fill), but from reports by friends who came up an hour or two later, we actually got off quite lightly!<br />
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We desperately needed a major shopping stop, and although it is a long walk to Sainsburys at Nuneaton, it was our best choice. It is amazing how much harder it is to walk at least a half mile back with full bags, versus carrying them to the store empty!.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4zDZamiBbq4WPV66t0c68yM8n_PAbEDqh-pYMe4KJ-QvSVTKWU6bPwxLqs-QpQOp8fuQta8-WP8kCCLOKsC2tpHyi1sfyk1iOMarRxctvt4YVkLRyR8yQUIL5zWbIJGC6uh9kZqhyphenhyphenOU/s1600/DSCF9571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4zDZamiBbq4WPV66t0c68yM8n_PAbEDqh-pYMe4KJ-QvSVTKWU6bPwxLqs-QpQOp8fuQta8-WP8kCCLOKsC2tpHyi1sfyk1iOMarRxctvt4YVkLRyR8yQUIL5zWbIJGC6uh9kZqhyphenhyphenOU/s1600/DSCF9571.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the struggle "man versus duvet" we finally start to win.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were aware that the "Friends of Raymond" boats, "Nutfield" and "Raymond" were a few boats behind us at Atherstone locks, but they didn't pass us at Nuneaton until we had done our shop. I have no idea if other "Friends" were on the boat, but the boats appeared to be in the sole control of former working boaters Tom Lapworth, and sister-in-law Alice Lapworth, (widow of Les Lapworth). I have no idea exactly how old Tom and Alice are, but I thought it rather wonderful to watch.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK64ri9Aw993jkKYvsRtnlZxxMHNLXn3IPS9IUdIC8s3BhN4kmwl5-N241XhA1ablCfZ20afEDFMSRuzvwoU2WRYOmZCTNAYpxez1WiwCSxZ7ciXavQWAbORejS5E5jE6uWllZYeVAev4/s1600/DSCF9573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK64ri9Aw993jkKYvsRtnlZxxMHNLXn3IPS9IUdIC8s3BhN4kmwl5-N241XhA1ablCfZ20afEDFMSRuzvwoU2WRYOmZCTNAYpxez1WiwCSxZ7ciXavQWAbORejS5E5jE6uWllZYeVAev4/s1600/DSCF9573.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cath captures David and me at work on Sickle, whilst hanging on to Chalice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shortly after restarting "Sickle's" engine died very dramatically, leaving us heading at bridge hole, and needing some fairly enthusiastic fending off to hang on to chimneys and fittings. The prop was clearly very badly fouled, and we were going nowhere. We were not in a good place to deal with it, as firmly submerged debris, including obvious shopping trollies that we could not pull out were stopping us getting the majority of the boat to the bank. Every time David and I got to the point we were ready to have another go at working on the problem, a boat seemed to approach from one direction or the other, and we had to spend ages pulling "Sickle" out of their path, then setting it up again afterwards.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-NtS1QnLBPVhvkiJZcpt3jocOKEppCmACSk_3mwhlkMlnd6xsS7Wi9i7q6xvmNl3doS-S53jQF8aLdA15BkgWSIL0tE-mav74sZvpnPi7rVQp74kEjmkaw7TCXitHTkr2362CCN64W4/s1600/CIMG6367.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-NtS1QnLBPVhvkiJZcpt3jocOKEppCmACSk_3mwhlkMlnd6xsS7Wi9i7q6xvmNl3doS-S53jQF8aLdA15BkgWSIL0tE-mav74sZvpnPi7rVQp74kEjmkaw7TCXitHTkr2362CCN64W4/s1600/CIMG6367.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably beyond further use as bedding.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Initially I thought the large layers of fibrous material completely obscuring and jamming the prop might be some kind of padded clothing, but it soon became obvious it was far larger. However trying to rip it off with the cabin shaft was ineffective, as was lying face down towards the water, and trying to hack through with craft knives or a freezer saw. I began to think someone would have to go into the water, when David finally started to unravel enough to see it was clearly a duvet. even so, we could not free it, and the propshaft would only turn small amounts, either of which wound it back in again. Finally, after maybe an hour and a half, David triumphantly oulled most of it off, still largely (and rather remarkably) a single item. We reckon it was a "double" but not a "king size".<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70JJ9eUhuoBkDbpUOSmN6z-RLSE99ANHqPtCgaRxnsdP0tQhWxBDtbNRB0qKVzpuIj58dydxnsDOMIONxVsKHoQr7EYEemRXVv9Zg4INMpvpC-c2gBPrrO2_yZ_oaXxv_-zm7usEfdOE/s1600/IMG_6793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70JJ9eUhuoBkDbpUOSmN6z-RLSE99ANHqPtCgaRxnsdP0tQhWxBDtbNRB0qKVzpuIj58dydxnsDOMIONxVsKHoQr7EYEemRXVv9Zg4INMpvpC-c2gBPrrO2_yZ_oaXxv_-zm7usEfdOE/s1600/IMG_6793.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Large Northwich" "Slough" - one of the more "got at" "Town" class boats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think by this stage we had all had about enough, (including Caty who had largely just hung on to "Chalice" for as long as it took, and tried to keep Odin occupied), but we decided that as the objective had been to try and get a good day's boating in that we would still press on to Hawkesbury. By then nobody was in a mood for finding the best moorings amongst the very limited space still available there, and "Sickle" was moored in an available gap, whereas "Chalice" was stopped some way before the regular mooring spaces. Thank goodness we had only found the "duvet from hell" - I think a proper sprung mattress would have been beyond our capabilities to deal with!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Atherstone Bottom Lock to Hawkesbury</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 12.8 (Chalice), 12.8 (Sickle), Locks: 22</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 736.3, Locks: 499</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-34945320950074128992014-09-05T22:00:00.000+01:002014-09-07T11:14:49.744+01:00Starting the run for home.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Sickle & Chalice - posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Very retrospective post for Monday 25th August. </span></b><br />
<br />
This was the final day of the event at Alvecote, but is usually the case, some boats had already started to slip away.<br />
<br />
Our son Michael had been with us for most of the weekend, but now needed to leave and return home. The weather was not predicted as being great, but Michael was very keen to take Odin, who he had not seen for some weeks, for another decent walk before he left us. Retracing some of a walk Cath and he had already done, we finally found lakes that looked fine for Odin to take a swim in. He has not really had the chance since his dice with death, so we were initially a bit cautious - we need not have been! Odin quickly proved that he was more than equal to a good swim, and, much like the time he had really first learned, was very obviously building up his distances, as he relearned exactly what was possible. Soon he was retrieving sticks thrown a long way away, but still doing a few deliberate unnecessary detours for practice, before finally bringing them back to us. Cath and I had seen him swim very competently before his illness - being a "Lab" he is a natural. However this had been on another canal holiday, and Michael had not been there - so this was in fact the first time Michael had seen him at play in this way. It is fantastic to see a dog that so nearly died now behaving exactly as if nothing bad ever happened - it so nearly ended very differently, and I'm not sure oating would ever have been quite the same had it done so.<br />
<br />
We really should have taken some more pictures, but somehow failed to.<br />
<br />
We couldn't resist the lure of the Samuel Barlow one more time, so had a final family meal there before Michael set off for home.<br />
<br />
We ourselves left far too late in the day to reasonably tackle the Atherstone locks, (all 11 of which we would need to work twice), so instead went just the few miles to the start of the flight, ready to go up the locks the following morning. It is the best place to stop anyway - although there is what appears to be very good moorings in the long pound two locks up from the bottom, there have been significant problems with levels dropping there overnight on our recent visits, and we did not wish to find "Sickle" grounded on the bottom, unable to be easily moved the next morning.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Alvecote Marina to Atherstone Bottom Lock</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 5.0 (Chalice), 5 .0 (Sickle), Locks: 0</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 710.7, Locks: 477</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-61036309166888275272014-09-04T22:00:00.000+01:002014-09-07T11:14:10.180+01:00Alvecote Hisoric Boat Festival - Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th August<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boats Chalice/ & Sickle - posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<br />
This post just as a place-holder, until I can assemble some suitable photos, and (maybe) videos.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #006600;">At Alvecote Marina</span></b>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-75487404172539518742014-09-03T22:00:00.000+01:002014-09-07T11:13:38.047+01:00Final approach to Alvecote for the Festival.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Very retrospective post for Friday 22nd August. </span></b><br />
<br />
OK, OK - so as we got around to "Festival Time", the blogging process finally fell apart! No excuses really, other than once we had both boats back together, there was much to keep us occupied, and, (when moving again with both), no chance of getting any Internet stuff done except in evenings.<br />
<br />
It seems we also lost the ability to take many pictures, as from this point on the cameras seemed to have yielded far less to select from, although, to be fair, we are struggling with battery problems in two of the cameras we regularly use. (Don't you just love modern technology - the cameras still work fine, but the rechargeable batteries no longer do, and replacement "clone" batteries seem to not be much use at all).<br />
<br />
Anyway, for completeness, and our own records, we will try to remember what happened up to two weeks ago.<br />
<br />
As reported "yesterday" Huddlesford has established itself as a good overnight mooring for us, and I am much taken by the pub, where the landlord is very friendly, (and offers you the choice of a beer in a "jug", rather than a straight glass, which I still prefer).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntdpffhN2-OSZPya0h2wJiDl-oK8Df3xs_hxBOHndT4OMuD-ei6c8YkIgSnKQAFkKIvCJ4-0Het6FbwzGyI6u3FAOtEYRva-25nd8fzmuiFKK0sCmtJGHHbyyHqxc7Vr7bzmd8GbHZtA/s1600/IMG_6772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntdpffhN2-OSZPya0h2wJiDl-oK8Df3xs_hxBOHndT4OMuD-ei6c8YkIgSnKQAFkKIvCJ4-0Het6FbwzGyI6u3FAOtEYRva-25nd8fzmuiFKK0sCmtJGHHbyyHqxc7Vr7bzmd8GbHZtA/s1600/IMG_6772.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hampstead" slips gently past before our boating day begins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We hadn't got far to go today, but before we were moving, some of the "historics" were, and coming past before we set off. As a result we leapfrogged with some throughout the day. "Hampstead" had a fair "load" of I'm not quite sure what, (it was under tarpaulins), and was hence moving quite slowly. It was interesting to see what happened as we were waved past in quite shallow waters, but in the end overtaking was relatively easily achieved.<br />
<br />
As we now knew "Sickle" had been delivered to Alvecote for us, we were quite relaxed on time, so chose to make a deliberate stop to fully empty toitets and waste bins, and to fully fill the frest water tank, so we would be well set up for spenging several days at Alvecote with "Chalice" not moving.<br />
<br />
Probably the only other thing to note is that although we found a convenient towpath slot on arrival, it was opposite where all the winding of boats would take place repeatedly throughout the weekend. Even the manoeuvrings going on on the day before the event were enough to convince us we were to vulnerable to getting hit. so when a friend moved their boat away from a space somewhat further up, we grabbed the opportunity to take it. It had the added bonus of giving us just about the shortest walk we could have to the pub from "Chalice" - result!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Huddlesford Junction to Alvecote Marina (Coventry canal)</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 11.0 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 2</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 700.7, Locks: 477</span><br />
<br />Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-77683278222017306802014-08-21T22:00:00.000+01:002014-09-07T11:11:16.577+01:00A sense of deja vu?<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan & Cath jointly)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Thursday 21st August. </span></b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxnv2iXLoKhsiGfKB_Ic61c433mpVeRVs1Oon693AyIEhb5pMarQK83fTBITucFgjND38eoFEBN27ggwG_cj33kbUFTJpjQwdI4KrOvkrpy5HxCidG6Do_G6uEDfAa3ochl4xin_TJgA/s1600/CIMG6180.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxnv2iXLoKhsiGfKB_Ic61c433mpVeRVs1Oon693AyIEhb5pMarQK83fTBITucFgjND38eoFEBN27ggwG_cj33kbUFTJpjQwdI4KrOvkrpy5HxCidG6Do_G6uEDfAa3ochl4xin_TJgA/s1600/CIMG6180.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ling" (which has since just gone through Huddlesford in the dark just after ten).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There has been a feeling of going over old ground today. We
have been through Great Heywood Junction three times over the last 5 or so
weeks. Once, on the way up to Audlem with both boats, a second time with Sickle
taking it back to Alvecote, and finally, today, taking Chalice through on our
way to Alvecote. It is exactly three weeks to the day since we brought Sickle
down the detached portion of the Coventry canal, and we are now doing the same
with Chalice. We have covered a huge amount of ground in the last three weeks.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The big event to come is the Boat and Beer festival at
Alvecote, but we have a strong sense of being towards the end of our holiday,
although it will actually be a while before we can get both boats back to their
moorings. We are starting to plan for the things that need to happen once we
get back home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7wSoLb8lyWA73BroYpVHs4Yk7E8V3cIUiUFE2Q8I-CBgPVL41fGHSBTMlMfSXg1B9sN_fYH0KTsZ7Qtbf1mSsk3yE7pbNnr7MwvL_uXhFIKmdrwjqqDY51VvzeArYU5neic812nclSY/s1600/CIMG6187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7wSoLb8lyWA73BroYpVHs4Yk7E8V3cIUiUFE2Q8I-CBgPVL41fGHSBTMlMfSXg1B9sN_fYH0KTsZ7Qtbf1mSsk3yE7pbNnr7MwvL_uXhFIKmdrwjqqDY51VvzeArYU5neic812nclSY/s1600/CIMG6187.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood End lock - one of the scenic ones.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The locks are dotted around, apart from a couple at Fradley
they are mostly some distance apart – certainly none of the flights that have
been a feature of the last few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>None-the-less our recent experience is that there is often a queue of
boats even for the single locks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were
lucky at Great Heywood, waiting very little, but there was a stack of boats
queued to come the other way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
exactly as on our last trip, at Colwick lock the queue was mostly the way we
were going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People were not terribly
efficient in trying to work quickly, but the entertainment started with a very
smoky boat two ahead of ours, where (presumably) husband and wife were not
doing very well, and increasingly being openly abusive to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This came to a head at the foot of the locks
where "Mrs Smoky Boat's" attempts with thrashing the engine with
tiller pointed the wrong way meant "Mr Smoky Boat" couldn't get back
on, and she set off without him, as they continued to swear at each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on the canals, and enjoy a truly
relaxing holiday! We were glad we were planning to make a shopping stop in
Rugeley, and might not have to witness them at further locks!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKjDH0fujmEB_rVlaFfUvkVC7MlzUZZwCXCAeXwWBCMZhgXbF_tAowGLVvSlDjoGrB2NNopQcYr2GdfjdXIPdMqcYg0x5Cb0Ur9zykwxkEh6_8yz5LMkvd9VUBdzi_jw_aVkK1akxeU4/s1600/CIMG6189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKjDH0fujmEB_rVlaFfUvkVC7MlzUZZwCXCAeXwWBCMZhgXbF_tAowGLVvSlDjoGrB2NNopQcYr2GdfjdXIPdMqcYg0x5Cb0Ur9zykwxkEh6_8yz5LMkvd9VUBdzi_jw_aVkK1akxeU4/s1600/CIMG6189.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even dogs have to be patient at locks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cath took a long look at the state of our clothing and decided
that if she could get a big wash done today, then we would probably be OK until
we get home – so it became a major washday, despite the fact that the weather
over the next couple of days will not be particularly good for drying. We certainly
don't want to be doing washing over the Alvecote festival weekend. We've now
got washing pegged up and on racks all over the boat. Hopefully this will be
mostly dry by the time that our son Michael comes to stay over the bank holiday
weekend.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A further similarity to our last passage was that we
eventually arrived at Fradley, (a very obvious over-nighting point), much
earlier than we really needed to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Last time, with Sickle, we had pressed forward to Huddlesford, and
enjoyed a visit to "The Plough Inn" which had been very welcoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now regarded this as a good stopping
point, so did the same today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a
result this post has been jointly written by us both, but as their free wi-fi
seems no better than Alan's non-functioning Smart Phone, it may not get actually
posted for a while. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Correction: Pub wi-fi finally gave a log in - we may have success after all!</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Weston on Trent </span><span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">(Trent & Mersey) to Huddlesford Junction (Coventry canal)</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 20.6 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 7</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 689.7, Locks: 475</span><br />
<br />Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-87643792259968572532014-08-20T22:00:00.000+01:002014-09-07T11:09:17.119+01:00"Sheer weight of traffic", but an excellent meal to end a long day.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Wednesday 20th August. </span></b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds3-NTu1zoB7shF297P2q2uP7T8ysXVpT5rjskC7cHk2UwdlMZ2qEIn7dxILVoyxNn4GNTL6ewnF8vAu-4ZQ-mBdCRm35XVXd94bnVUssKHasbuuiklyOnys4pMbE_fPnUWsegNt8kOE/s1600/DSCF9433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds3-NTu1zoB7shF297P2q2uP7T8ysXVpT5rjskC7cHk2UwdlMZ2qEIn7dxILVoyxNn4GNTL6ewnF8vAu-4ZQ-mBdCRm35XVXd94bnVUssKHasbuuiklyOnys4pMbE_fPnUWsegNt8kOE/s1600/DSCF9433.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queuing for the first lock, with the delightful ex ice-breaker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally after our fairly hectic last three weeks we found ourselves in the happy situation of only still needing three longish days to reach Alvecote for the historic boat event this weekend, and actually having three days to do it in. We had by now successfully negotiated anything that needed a booking, or, like Harecastle tunnel yesterday, requires you to be in time to guarantee a passage that day.<br />
<br />
We spent the night at Westport lake, which in my view is easily the top spot anywhere in the area below the tunnel, and onward through to Etruria. It is often packed out, but overnight there had been unusually few boats there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xmUu_7FOQ8YTyK8lt_p3CHAf8txqCHLATO7TMSjk0EL4eqfkrx9zGgx2zdTR-jAJ_qpOJWfUb8ZBCFV-PmliG5_d4jtxjFGmJ2ha1X6pWKP5oNaa8iilZe71in7iRWAwwII0i5ct41E/s1600/IMG_6758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xmUu_7FOQ8YTyK8lt_p3CHAf8txqCHLATO7TMSjk0EL4eqfkrx9zGgx2zdTR-jAJ_qpOJWfUb8ZBCFV-PmliG5_d4jtxjFGmJ2ha1X6pWKP5oNaa8iilZe71in7iRWAwwII0i5ct41E/s1600/IMG_6758.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better view of this unusual and immaculate boat.</td></tr>
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Our objective now was just to make best possible progress each day, without flogging ourselves to death. However any hope that we would progress quickly through the first flight of locks commencing at Etruria was quickly dashed when we turned up to find four or five boats already queuing waiting for that lock. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that it is a deep lock, and we were told one top paddle was out of action, making the re-filling for each new boat to go down very slow. In fact the steerer of the boat ahead of us chose to check this "fact", and both paddles actually appeared to be in fine fettle. Once the misinformation was corrected, progress through that lock at least became a lot quicker.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQkC0SI8oETx1cfbGe6XIH7gV8y4uRFIXmh1tc-qlrlAd3hIIJxXGt-I8BmFPrwkYYgBY-Swv868KtvN0KFRz9ExG28hVGJe3odq4ZgH-vL-ZLsI-grIFiaeQ_QxM3jwxSw6_7jdGKoo/s1600/CIMG6169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQkC0SI8oETx1cfbGe6XIH7gV8y4uRFIXmh1tc-qlrlAd3hIIJxXGt-I8BmFPrwkYYgBY-Swv868KtvN0KFRz9ExG28hVGJe3odq4ZgH-vL-ZLsI-grIFiaeQ_QxM3jwxSw6_7jdGKoo/s1600/CIMG6169.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bridge in the undemanding Meaford lock flight</td></tr>
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However it quickly became apparent that we were not going to get anywhere very fast, as two single handed boats were ahead, who were attempting to help each other work each lock twice, before moving on to the next. Here we deployed our secret weapon, David, getting him not to set locks for us, but for boats ahead of us, and this eased the slow progress considerably. However at every lock there was still at least one boat waiting as we arrived, so our overall rate of progress remained no more than half what it would have been with nobody else ahead.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmIBCZdpxTu6Nm0ZfQQgWyZVPA_T8Ofp2DtIyQH76PYYMJNqO2yld_mBn2OhXurS0H0fMHsurpMFujSjeMsZYg6YkJBlOELNrwxGJAj8pReT4iDQiDTROcUlczZtq2X_S4CMA_G2HyQs/s1600/CIMG6170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmIBCZdpxTu6Nm0ZfQQgWyZVPA_T8Ofp2DtIyQH76PYYMJNqO2yld_mBn2OhXurS0H0fMHsurpMFujSjeMsZYg6YkJBlOELNrwxGJAj8pReT4iDQiDTROcUlczZtq2X_S4CMA_G2HyQs/s1600/CIMG6170.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical of the new estates that line the canal around here.</td></tr>
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Whilst we had waited for the first lock, a delightfully unusual boat had emerged from the Caldon, and turned and joined the lock queue immediately behind us. The hull was clearly that of a horse drawn ice-breaker, but the top a delightful hardwood construction unrelated to the boat's original use. Chatting to the owners they belived its build to probably be circa 1900, and that it was used on the Oxford canal, but had no other firm information on its origins. We loved it, and it clearly moved very well, as each time we joined a new lock queue, it usually arrived fairly proptly behind us, before we had access to the next lock.<br />
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The congestion eased by the four Meaford locks, and almost completely by the locks at Stone, where some very enthusiastic CRT volunteers worked us through the first couple of locks. Cath did a quick shop whilst I failed yet again to buy the oil I'm after in yet another chandlers, and dealt with the toilet and rubbish. David and I then worked on until Cath rejoined us.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidagw6KNSBwNMLhyphenhyphenTvfvAufyxOEFlp2S_mktdvW2nvxvxhYGz8SzmrEw2JQQEZPArJSUdRIwLxrucxpa1t98HWtCdxJYFS4IzfVTZfN4TlLJ7BFlmAxXzR5pXo6D7M-oVx7zW5jRi0Mlw/s1600/CIMG6179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidagw6KNSBwNMLhyphenhyphenTvfvAufyxOEFlp2S_mktdvW2nvxvxhYGz8SzmrEw2JQQEZPArJSUdRIwLxrucxpa1t98HWtCdxJYFS4IzfVTZfN4TlLJ7BFlmAxXzR5pXo6D7M-oVx7zW5jRi0Mlw/s1600/CIMG6179.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive flower display at Weston - bigger and better each time we visit.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our original hope was that we could get to Weston on Trent, but the slow progress earlier had seemed to make that unlikely. Now, however, with most people now stopped for the day, we started to move much faster, and realised we could still be at Weston in good time. A very good recovery, but a longish day to achieve it.<br />
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We went to the Saracen's Head for our evening meal, and I'm very glad we did. Dog friendly, with the bar staff very people friendly, there was a good choice of "veggie" food. It was probably the best pub meal we have had in the whole six weeks of this trip so far, obviously truly "home made", and no more expensive than the very average "out of the freezer" fodder we have been fed at other pubs. Well done the Saracen's Head - hopefully non-veggie food equally good, but you would need to find out for yourselves.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Westport Lake to Weston on Trent </span><span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">(Trent & Mersey)</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 18.9 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 16</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 669.1, Locks: 468</span><br />
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<br />Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-36250839768784441252014-08-19T22:38:00.001+01:002014-08-19T22:38:31.345+01:00A number of things work firmly in our favour.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Tuesday 19th August. </span></b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRweDXrJQRZP5T6s8t6PMfAfi1TxooNyKSKKjLgdC71BlW9yu2M24NbfHo8JUmW873CJzdLRqjWTQFFrI9pNgimlCQ2axHkKAKEhW1_uwqd1Omb9dGF-ZthrQcWuhFoa-lHfghWCDOF88/s1600/IMG_6735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRweDXrJQRZP5T6s8t6PMfAfi1TxooNyKSKKjLgdC71BlW9yu2M24NbfHo8JUmW873CJzdLRqjWTQFFrI9pNgimlCQ2axHkKAKEhW1_uwqd1Omb9dGF-ZthrQcWuhFoa-lHfghWCDOF88/s1600/IMG_6735.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boseley top lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our fairly challenging target throughout our big Northern adventure has always been to be back to Alvecote Marina on the Coventry canal in time for the big historic boat event there on the Bank Holiday weekend, (now only a few days away). This was always going to be tight, and relied heavily on us not "breaking" the boat not breaking, or no relevant parts of the canal infrastructure breaking.<br />
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We failed the first test somewhat, initially only slightly, when Cath got sick for a day or so, but rather more so when my tumble from a bike resulted in the need for a hospital visit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh499QzD6TBjQFvQxoz3bEf8pAatBJuuWp0E6_0JQSoNU2nL1ruxzTYtotlewB8-dvthuXTg0_K7Rtd98Gd7C4EQw0rmhU27CJv3XdltG1cbThed8KlenimmlYvJZYN_iG-4L2kRqqyXJE/s1600/IMG_6737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh499QzD6TBjQFvQxoz3bEf8pAatBJuuWp0E6_0JQSoNU2nL1ruxzTYtotlewB8-dvthuXTg0_K7Rtd98Gd7C4EQw0rmhU27CJv3XdltG1cbThed8KlenimmlYvJZYN_iG-4L2kRqqyXJE/s1600/IMG_6737.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boseley locks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So far though, the boat has behaved itself, touch wood, (well oak faced plywood actually!).<br />
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On the canal infrastructure side we have got lucky. we missed by a few days closures of the Wigan flight due to inability to keep the pounds filled with water - we also missed a boat sinking incident elsewhere on the Leeds and Liverpool. Now as we return to the Trent and Mersey, part of that is shut due to a lock problem, but mercifully on a stretch to the North of any part we need to use.<br />
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So, as you can see, if you set a reasonably tight timetable for a trip, there is always the possibility that something will stop you being able to achieve it.<br />
The other thing we have had to plan around are anything with opening times, or where a booking is needed. For example a booking is needed for a mid-week passage through Tuel Lane lock on the Rochdale, but equally something like the far more used Harecastle tunnel on the Trent and Mersey requires that you are there before a certain time to guarantee a passage that day. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpB9UJmO6Q6JaVOS6x68Ix29K6c7u5bOqHg1xktgRI8FTTTVEAWLbbXvnaaDAf9foFz7Yi5yTgWfODj1y3HufJDKRf-lpIhnOmbC2g8Ftwt98fOZ12kDG49HSP227phzFKArdKneWtK64/s1600/IMG_6741.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpB9UJmO6Q6JaVOS6x68Ix29K6c7u5bOqHg1xktgRI8FTTTVEAWLbbXvnaaDAf9foFz7Yi5yTgWfODj1y3HufJDKRf-lpIhnOmbC2g8Ftwt98fOZ12kDG49HSP227phzFKArdKneWtK64/s1600/IMG_6741.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The attractive surroundings at Hall Green stop lock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally, even in "normal operations" if you have to pass through a flight of locks, it is very hard to predict timings, as it heavily depends on who else is using them, and how efficient they are about it. One person ahead with a "shiny boat" that doesn't want to rub any blacking off the hull, and will hence only part open the paddles can slow everybody else down massively.<br />
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Although trying to press on as far as we can do each day has been important, last night I wanted to meet with an old work colleague who lived nearby, and any of the places we might have pressed on to did not yield a decent pub, so we stopped somewhat earlier than usual, leaving us inevitably with some catching up to do today.<br />
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So how did all this map out in terms of progress today? The answer is "it has been a good day", (other than the intermittent heavy rain showers we have regularly had to endure!). We made good progress to the only significant locks of the day, the twelve downhill locks at Boseley. These proved somewhat unusual compared to our recent lock experience in that every single gate and paddle worked exactly as it should. They are a relative delight to work through and the scenery is stunning.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0doK0q8sRAfO9hsxmN1AK0_h1GgA7keg_0uWCT1R7ZXorVuH4K8MSgqzxZ_x4wUdqvMPi8K7wXuMfzvr5E-azgEuvE37l4wvLpmjNusJHJBcncWdmeAe9tYhRVJdj7SbgrdlOSnmHB_Y/s1600/IMG_6747.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0doK0q8sRAfO9hsxmN1AK0_h1GgA7keg_0uWCT1R7ZXorVuH4K8MSgqzxZ_x4wUdqvMPi8K7wXuMfzvr5E-azgEuvE37l4wvLpmjNusJHJBcncWdmeAe9tYhRVJdj7SbgrdlOSnmHB_Y/s1600/IMG_6747.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for a passage - North end of Harecastle tunnel. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What else went well? Well a boat that pulled out in front of us, and then moved very slowly, soon spotted us behind, and waved us past, so no real delay there either.<br />
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What really mattered was would we reach the Northern end of Harecastle Tunnel in time to be allowed a passage through today. It is a most uninviting place to spend a night, (indeed it is recommended not to do so), but we arrived there in plenty of time, well ahead of rough estimates I had made at the start of the day.<br />
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Further good news proved to be the passage though. We were boat two out of a total of three, and I always hate a slow passage following other boats, as it is much easier to be in full control with a bit of speed on. Fortunately the boat in front understood this, and held us up not at all, but I estimate the one following was going so slowly that by the time we left the South end, he was no more than half way through. It's a bit of a nightmare to be behind someone like this!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAtS8NDWh6xw8xLHKXhNNWKuTa94MgORbEZxV5r7xgRK-JOQ3W7TirRYOFmMqLR1EVnnTnXAdEXKMMQjNyw3-PTWZ7Plp2ESzXNkCjpS9gTUSjzWOtiDmp1N5UYRlBsHf1sCFzYaag00/s1600/IMG_6754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAtS8NDWh6xw8xLHKXhNNWKuTa94MgORbEZxV5r7xgRK-JOQ3W7TirRYOFmMqLR1EVnnTnXAdEXKMMQjNyw3-PTWZ7Plp2ESzXNkCjpS9gTUSjzWOtiDmp1N5UYRlBsHf1sCFzYaag00/s1600/IMG_6754.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westport lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And the day yielded yet one further good result. "Sickle" is still at Grendon dock, some miles past Alvecote, where the event will be held this weekend. We thought we had to travel down to Grendon, and collect "Sickle". However, I have been contacted - they are short of mooring space at Grendon - do I mind if they bring "Sickle" up to Alvecote? Well of course I don't - its ideal, and saves us quite a few hours of travelling.<br />
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We moored at Westport Lake, North of Stoke on Trent. Odin got a half decent walk around it, but although he might have liked to take his first swim since his brush with death, we didn't at all like the look of the green stuff floating in the water, and ruled it a "bad idea". If it was the rather horrible "blue green algae" there were no warning signs to that effect, but either way, we were not risking it.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Gurnett Aqueduct</span><span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;"> (Macclesfield canal) to Westport Lake (Trent & Mersey)</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 18.9 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 13</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 652.0, Locks: 452</span><br />
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Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-26591528679960548592014-08-18T22:00:00.000+01:002014-09-07T11:10:30.272+01:00From one aqueduct to another<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Monday 18th August. </span></b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxYV-GvaNX-esuQaNiyJsdf6b0f-m8Sr53glFQ7qzDSOMFjGf5TZnyr8fm3iTjdC_C0OLzifsryEGgWfuU53oA8M2a8IKhWmqi8UkxMXmPVaWfL_-XRg4g7_KdLjVJpUA4ehyJZp8H_E/s1600/DSCF9406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxYV-GvaNX-esuQaNiyJsdf6b0f-m8Sr53glFQ7qzDSOMFjGf5TZnyr8fm3iTjdC_C0OLzifsryEGgWfuU53oA8M2a8IKhWmqi8UkxMXmPVaWfL_-XRg4g7_KdLjVJpUA4ehyJZp8H_E/s1600/DSCF9406.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marple aqueduct with railway viaduct beyond.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had heard through Facebook that Brian on narrow boat Alton was coming down the flight early in the morning. Alton is a 'coal boat', supplying fuel to boats on the canal, and we needed diesel. We set off fairly early, hoping to both refuel, and benefit from the empty locks that Alton had left behind it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0KZdMa63beAXGarvFup2b2CZ3RtllZspU_lmreTYT7Tg2pqKsx8gTtOHe6tnMwj_yCiFTmtPkmB9KJn_2zXOa5kzKDsiw9IhVqHRZsIV-X6aWxTBT5CwIXGVWMNMobIAXACAZpD8Q-s/s1600/DSCF9411.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0KZdMa63beAXGarvFup2b2CZ3RtllZspU_lmreTYT7Tg2pqKsx8gTtOHe6tnMwj_yCiFTmtPkmB9KJn_2zXOa5kzKDsiw9IhVqHRZsIV-X6aWxTBT5CwIXGVWMNMobIAXACAZpD8Q-s/s1600/DSCF9411.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Marple locks are all deep ones.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDPlhkWb25jgjS9w6l4r8PGyZtc-DHffvmmICZynI3acVaSRp5g8FLm4bnYFuI7dZup6vlHSikWZJk6UjMZKRg6zNZs5wmNwxkMgFnaIjBxGpUq6_DEbXcwnYw0VBBwi5OXyYn4mLf60/s1600/Brian+Alton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFDPlhkWb25jgjS9w6l4r8PGyZtc-DHffvmmICZynI3acVaSRp5g8FLm4bnYFuI7dZup6vlHSikWZJk6UjMZKRg6zNZs5wmNwxkMgFnaIjBxGpUq6_DEbXcwnYw0VBBwi5OXyYn4mLf60/s1600/Brian+Alton.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"In Flight Refuelling" (Photo: Brian McGuigan - operator of Alton)</td></tr>
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The plan worked well, we refueled 'in flight', and almost all the locks were empty for us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRK733jducQVwKeh_KfUpRwMthmfQDlUTD2K2iwaauW3RmfVyw8gVMVXjLX-03dwIOQAnhjG78uCbNAYYihmAbFiGxyRiHF8ST7QuJ-xZ6sRqaK1KiTKSKguQOQWnpBnC_LpHiOtWjcWE/s1600/IMG_6703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRK733jducQVwKeh_KfUpRwMthmfQDlUTD2K2iwaauW3RmfVyw8gVMVXjLX-03dwIOQAnhjG78uCbNAYYihmAbFiGxyRiHF8ST7QuJ-xZ6sRqaK1KiTKSKguQOQWnpBnC_LpHiOtWjcWE/s1600/IMG_6703.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attractive former warehouse, (and the lock where we had just had a scare).</td></tr>
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We did have a nasty moment, a bit scary, but not one that could have caused much damage. This was at lock 9 in a flight of 16. I wasn't there, having gone on to open the gates on the next lock, but I suddenly saw David rushing down to the bottom gate paddles and opening them. There is a protruding coping stone at the top of the lock, which had caught on Chalice's gunwale (properly 'top bend' but almost everyone refers to this as the 'gunnals'), and as the lock continued to fill the side of the boat was being held down. A few things left lying around after breakfast fell on the floor, and some saucepans fell out of a cupboard. Because the lock was very nearly full it wasn't dangerous, but it's a reminder that we all need to be vigilant at all times when going through locks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIC5AffTalyrS6yPB_R0F0Fie6FRy52XGHdyMcgL2eRcwh67Q_wwCd54wBrndOWT2wie-iH2WolHXjCuE-__5pcAJXw1R5jeU2_40d3chHvcfaXw8_1VvBRbHZHtysgQxhZcmcRs4sX7c/s1600/DSCF9419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIC5AffTalyrS6yPB_R0F0Fie6FRy52XGHdyMcgL2eRcwh67Q_wwCd54wBrndOWT2wie-iH2WolHXjCuE-__5pcAJXw1R5jeU2_40d3chHvcfaXw8_1VvBRbHZHtysgQxhZcmcRs4sX7c/s1600/DSCF9419.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serious lack of water at top of Marple locks.</td></tr>
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After that it was a day of lots of miles through fabulous scenery. We moored at Gurnett Aqueduct, as advised by Brian, but also because we wanted to meet with one of Alan's former colleagues who lives not far from there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpC0czcO5gKqOsTMW1TL4MEu_XWu3RUr7yqe73Vp0scrF9kcIj24z0Q_QZ9R8Q36sKjQcHUx9Wp1n387NtAUDl_pKjJaxYd-HXag6sBzQOef5ra5zlLcXSUraCacKcRoHpMECMBj9kBE/s1600/CIMG6158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpC0czcO5gKqOsTMW1TL4MEu_XWu3RUr7yqe73Vp0scrF9kcIj24z0Q_QZ9R8Q36sKjQcHUx9Wp1n387NtAUDl_pKjJaxYd-HXag6sBzQOef5ra5zlLcXSUraCacKcRoHpMECMBj9kBE/s1600/CIMG6158.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did someone forget to reset the scales before weighing?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNN2Oiyb6_TojCbqo0hkW97AylzjFQyH_VYPxR3iqdobybBeh6PKZJFuX3YamNSjJN1WpSVrMm1h8xNSQnuNFHJaj_Q9f-B3gV2TlM6U2ZJ4AeSF0hOa9cod6HvM4Y46pShXfpilHoGk/s1600/IMG_6724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNN2Oiyb6_TojCbqo0hkW97AylzjFQyH_VYPxR3iqdobybBeh6PKZJFuX3YamNSjJN1WpSVrMm1h8xNSQnuNFHJaj_Q9f-B3gV2TlM6U2ZJ4AeSF0hOa9cod6HvM4Y46pShXfpilHoGk/s1600/IMG_6724.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bollington</td></tr>
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Alan did an oil change, had a shower, and I redressed the stickers on his face (a little bit mucky, a good thing he's on antibiotics), and we spent an interesting evening in the pub.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Marple Aqueduct to Gurnett Aqueduct</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 14.2 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 16</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 631.3, Locks: 439</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-21878727586771450162014-08-17T22:00:00.000+01:002014-09-07T11:09:59.065+01:00Leaving Manchester, (and back to narrow locks).<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice- posted by Cath)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Sunday 17th August. </span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH9WlmkeDWzKogg28vsM5jiizBxWSwn-9-yVDa9nuJSAEXN2SkeTEpz5YrholnAkieJUmAakjPwb8p0YjemBnjIPQd46opHx7rSnqJ4S4UpcHQfSUkaJiZjSFiVQPCHcssAUs4xZAoww/s1600/IMG_6656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH9WlmkeDWzKogg28vsM5jiizBxWSwn-9-yVDa9nuJSAEXN2SkeTEpz5YrholnAkieJUmAakjPwb8p0YjemBnjIPQd46opHx7rSnqJ4S4UpcHQfSUkaJiZjSFiVQPCHcssAUs4xZAoww/s1600/IMG_6656.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secure overnight mooring at the Telford Basin, Picadilly Village.</td></tr>
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Another early start, because the Ashton Locks out of Manchester are notorious. Nicholson's guide says 'do not do this flight in school holidays', and 'begin it before 10 am'.<br />
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So we got up early, ate breakfast, said goodbye to Richard and Kathy who have been so helpful over the last couple of days, and set off before 8:30. The day started fairly dry, but quickly degenerated into dry patches, interspersed with cold, very windy squalls - probably the aftermath of Hurricane Bertha that is due to hit the UK today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18CttfRTCI1MEFeeIUMI_E920UTznnFXBxVBlzi9A-ljxrLcKOU3M8rAo6ppBCwDupd5NSURrH0YdBM2qNHiRNPKE1t1fsNawCPxrXedGIJObts6k3qpO-kQ9Ajc25BeZl0NdRbh5jlw/s1600/IMG_6658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18CttfRTCI1MEFeeIUMI_E920UTznnFXBxVBlzi9A-ljxrLcKOU3M8rAo6ppBCwDupd5NSURrH0YdBM2qNHiRNPKE1t1fsNawCPxrXedGIJObts6k3qpO-kQ9Ajc25BeZl0NdRbh5jlw/s1600/IMG_6658.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting off up the Ashton - Our first narrow locks for many days.</td></tr>
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At the second lock we met with the local lock keeper, who said that it isn't nearly as bad as it used to be. There is a lot of prestigious new housing, and 'they have moved a lot of the troublemakers away' - where to wasn't clear. We saw loads of joggers in brightly coloured clothing, and a few dog walkers, but no trouble of any kind. The lockie said that he 'lives on the Ashton Canal', but spent 13 years working on the Rochdale. He seemed pleased to be working back on the Ashton, and talked about 'getting it working right'. He told us to leave top gates open, and anti-vandal (AV) locks off, as there were boats coming down the flight - that made our lives a lot easier.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEiNDDX52NV4WizESPIGk_l6Wveol7qBojY9IO6HJ5yIsbp0XILnZ_HX7D7sD_hStp_7ZTZMj6rZNEO6IL128esp_8d9YFnJrAvA-CsNFqbTegmKJaRs4rboTqGW1Pz8jB9WLr32rKIQ/s1600/DSCF9387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEiNDDX52NV4WizESPIGk_l6Wveol7qBojY9IO6HJ5yIsbp0XILnZ_HX7D7sD_hStp_7ZTZMj6rZNEO6IL128esp_8d9YFnJrAvA-CsNFqbTegmKJaRs4rboTqGW1Pz8jB9WLr32rKIQ/s1600/DSCF9387.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the stgriking new developments</td></tr>
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Despite that it was slow going, although we didn't meet up with any of the downward boats until midway in the flight of 18. Unlocking every AV, even if we weren't re-locking them, takes time, and the locks fill quite slowly. At one point we had a problem with a very low pound, but we took some water from the pound above the next lock to float the boat through. It took us the best part of 5 hours to do the whole flight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8-zRAkfoTPmCrHZS6pIcJjhsTfVaQ5BEaLy9ul4In3kALFMCw-9X9GHgdrwmHKXYB1_Etz3bA17HXJMqJOXO2HNPBDR5AyUcMA-OmjR7K030MwfaiIhwSfNXJrF7-3HifISP-_YCoEw/s1600/DSCF9391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8-zRAkfoTPmCrHZS6pIcJjhsTfVaQ5BEaLy9ul4In3kALFMCw-9X9GHgdrwmHKXYB1_Etz3bA17HXJMqJOXO2HNPBDR5AyUcMA-OmjR7K030MwfaiIhwSfNXJrF7-3HifISP-_YCoEw/s1600/DSCF9391.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lock 10 failed and closed the canal recently - the new gates need more work!</td></tr>
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Near the end we came across a young couple coming down - even if the flight isn't as prone to vandals as previously, this was a very late start to finish the flight by a reasonable time. I asked where they were mooring overnight. Central Manchester said the young woman.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONyTmqyeDKWBICIwk3QBch_s4oHYI2GQQU40rNCMHJjP8asl5Ki6eI9WECWTDh_VVK31sCeD3p7d_BCznefHXhd205P9Al4_gKC1U9ILUABJZkOZh_0MokIDQii1iaqQR-wXzXWy1XDw/s1600/DSCF9394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONyTmqyeDKWBICIwk3QBch_s4oHYI2GQQU40rNCMHJjP8asl5Ki6eI9WECWTDh_VVK31sCeD3p7d_BCznefHXhd205P9Al4_gKC1U9ILUABJZkOZh_0MokIDQii1iaqQR-wXzXWy1XDw/s1600/DSCF9394.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not obvious, but Alan is stuck solid here, waiting for water to be let down.</td></tr>
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Did she know that to get to Castlefields she would also have to do the Rochdale 9? No, she didn't, but she didn't intend to go that way, they were heading up the Rochdale, the way that we had come down last night. Had she got a map? No, there was supposed to be one waiting for them in Manchester - someone had posted it to the wrong place. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTQlRNoE6H7OsuJuZ-0zIeQJH1Bwx8owWbIYBgdPfhGtwlX9uFAqfeiV52iydzy96Gw0xmVK7rwzqv9_dlEABnrbT4YAcjlU1JVPEK_gohH4AwnRU6Qd25qqoTMq9F7VubgymodT0bes/s1600/CIMG6145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTQlRNoE6H7OsuJuZ-0zIeQJH1Bwx8owWbIYBgdPfhGtwlX9uFAqfeiV52iydzy96Gw0xmVK7rwzqv9_dlEABnrbT4YAcjlU1JVPEK_gohH4AwnRU6Qd25qqoTMq9F7VubgymodT0bes/s1600/CIMG6145.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this seriously look like a tunnel where 2-way traffic is possible?</td></tr>
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I showed her our map, pointing out that the locks are very close together, and she wouldn't be able to moor between them. Also, she really didn't want to be mooring just anywhere in Manchester. I told her how to get the Thomas Telford Basin, where we moored last night, and told her that would be a good starting point for the Rochdale Canal tomorrow. I also said that she needed to get quite a long way up the Rochdale to find a safe mooring. She seemed a little bemused, it really didn't seem to have occurred to them that some cities need to be treated a bit more carefully than others. I don't know where they had come from.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t4FB8xvOT4fmtYUH2zmhVODa_rd0x0tOg1M0cWKZKMLi6nGrkyN-XdAlprfQHc7A1zGfq_mxGvZcitXx43U_9eokcH0NBTNQwqSdO2C80fzyDrKOd237KOZxckH5JvIJzckny9rJSRY/s1600/CIMG6149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t4FB8xvOT4fmtYUH2zmhVODa_rd0x0tOg1M0cWKZKMLi6nGrkyN-XdAlprfQHc7A1zGfq_mxGvZcitXx43U_9eokcH0NBTNQwqSdO2C80fzyDrKOd237KOZxckH5JvIJzckny9rJSRY/s1600/CIMG6149.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign says it is!</td></tr>
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I suppose that I am just extra careful, I can't imagine going boating without a map of where I'm going, well, not into unknown territory, anyway. <br />
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At the top we saw our friendly lock keeper again. I told him about the young couple and he said he'd go and find them, he had a few more boats coming up anyway, which would make life a bit easier for them.<br />
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Afterwards we boated through windy squalls, until we got to Hyde, where we spent ages trying to moor up - the towpath was mostly concrete, even under the grass - and I went to Aldi. Isn't Aldi a weird supermarket? Ladies cycling gear next to tree loppers and jam. I have a real difficulty telling myself that, no, I really don't need a collection of multi-coloured mixing melamine bowls in a variety of sizes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgIqMu8dizEE5zbNGj-dkF2w1hLbJgXCtndEqj88_TyD3cy3wn5PQng2crRkYwPaNrwnSxwLPsyszT65TtBuuLFv2sGSEl96SZXGRA6d1BYWsp2mkM64P3jdK-kI_NhcuDnf1tW-OHwo/s1600/IMG_6692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgIqMu8dizEE5zbNGj-dkF2w1hLbJgXCtndEqj88_TyD3cy3wn5PQng2crRkYwPaNrwnSxwLPsyszT65TtBuuLFv2sGSEl96SZXGRA6d1BYWsp2mkM64P3jdK-kI_NhcuDnf1tW-OHwo/s1600/IMG_6692.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marple railway viaduct, with the canal aqueduct largely hidden behind.</td></tr>
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There are several short tunnels, all of which are quite narrow, but are described as 'two way working' on the boards immediately before the tunnel entrance. I suppose that this means that boats are able to go in either direction, however, most 'two way working' means two boats going in opposite directions, at the same time - I certainly wouldn't want to try that on any of these.<br />
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We took Odin for a walk under Marple aqueduct and went to get a proper look at the railway viaduct. Although both are impressive, the aqueduict, both lower and shorter, can only be seen in small parts through the railway viaduct arches. Even much of that is obscured by some exceedingly tall trees.<br />
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Afterwards we didn't eat curry.<br />
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<b>Footnote by Alan, by way of explanation</b>.<br />
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Cath was planning to cook a curry, and was convinced she had appropriate sauces bought and ready in the cupboard. She didn't so the curry will have to be another time.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Manchester Picadilly to near Marple Aqueduct </span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 13.6 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks:18</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 617.1, Locks: 423</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-14029182728036362422014-08-16T23:07:00.000+01:002014-08-16T23:24:56.865+01:00In to Manchester (which really doesn't seem to love its canal)<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Saturday 16th August </span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5B3dRKwXghiDiwddzNC32aGlRmK9g3l0grQRLhbgwhicMlpNe-OioV4bzOANVZB45iQAKCYRuvcYOqXAtdE0w4HdssWCmacWM_FF4XYbrcE6TsC-VWYaOdjDbF7ljTwHeA8z60CO_eJM/s1600/CIMG6112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5B3dRKwXghiDiwddzNC32aGlRmK9g3l0grQRLhbgwhicMlpNe-OioV4bzOANVZB45iQAKCYRuvcYOqXAtdE0w4HdssWCmacWM_FF4XYbrcE6TsC-VWYaOdjDbF7ljTwHeA8z60CO_eJM/s1600/CIMG6112.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grimshaw Lane vertical lift bridge - it really does lift vertically on pistons.</td></tr>
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We had moored near to both a fairly busy road, and a railway line, but it was a fairly remote spot, with only the occasional dog walker or jogger. Despite the nearness of the railway we slept well until woken by the alarm at 7:00 am, as agreed with Richard and Kathy, our partners for the descent into Manchester.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UCnx3aXCOmAoeSX6_Gkvpcb6azIv55YhGFk5zYJLEBCvq8UX3e1z1afk96vA8mnqwqaYHgQn9mD0d7T1Snnf0VfRz2yOEfwmad7G-JlV5sBIWUVYYl4b4d2HSuci1je4l54Jj0uzPno/s1600/DSCF9381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UCnx3aXCOmAoeSX6_Gkvpcb6azIv55YhGFk5zYJLEBCvq8UX3e1z1afk96vA8mnqwqaYHgQn9mD0d7T1Snnf0VfRz2yOEfwmad7G-JlV5sBIWUVYYl4b4d2HSuci1je4l54Jj0uzPno/s1600/DSCF9381.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That bridge again - and Alan showiung battle scars</td></tr>
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We got going soon after 8:00, and found it easy to set ahead of the boats, the first 10 locks being completed before 10:30. We got into a routine, with two experienced crews working there was no need to explain what was needed, someone was already handling it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daft sign, as there are massive underwater obstructions both sides!</td></tr>
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Fairly early on we met up with 5 boys on bicycles by a lock. One suggested that his friend was going to jump on our boat, but I said I couldn't believe that, he wouldn't want me to come and stand in his house, would he? Actually, the kids were OK, they just wanted to know about the boats. We talked to them a bit, asked them what they were doing (going to a mountain biking centre), and they cycled off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsXRzsjMItuosZEQtL6bIngTvhrrjIgOGa9wT2Gk9fT6fyWWrlVUPCAwVjGxgPCzmId85oGRoId0ylE5pJrxuoKUyYADVfs3yNxj4M4FvGm05n6AvRwKiQI3qc4_nosWjIQMTNQhsxL8/s1600/CIMG6123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsXRzsjMItuosZEQtL6bIngTvhrrjIgOGa9wT2Gk9fT6fyWWrlVUPCAwVjGxgPCzmId85oGRoId0ylE5pJrxuoKUyYADVfs3yNxj4M4FvGm05n6AvRwKiQI3qc4_nosWjIQMTNQhsxL8/s1600/CIMG6123.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This really is fairly horrible.</td></tr>
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We had few problems, the occasional anti-vandal lock that we couldn't undo, a couple of prop fouls, but not a lot of difficulty. We saw few people, just the occasional dog walker, however, as we approached Manchester there was increasing detritus and rubbish, and the environment became less welcoming. A burned out waste bin next to the lock, vast amounts of floating junk, lots of evidence of alcohol, and also IV drug use.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb2FR2DVALu411HKRF2WqkrUHmSwpTB-yK7QYO0cw6liokIP18_d8rOQOu_GOdxGg74GmHOXqssXZjoTeECpn9RdwHL8IsyAHUjAaJSlPxCJlJAWVWP-h8YDLL8VmftZ9ULDFOtZQ-Yc/s1600/DSCF9383.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this really is no better.</td></tr>
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There were some places where there were signs to keep left, away from underwater obstructions, but there were also concrete lumps on that side, so boats need to stick to the centre here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needing a flush over the cill.</td></tr>
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We stopped for a quick lunch break by the big Tesco Extra at Failsworth, and did a quick restock on a few essentials, then headed for the long flight over the last couple of miles. I went ahead, setting the locks, but although I saw almost no one I was reassured by the fact that the boats were always only a lock behind. I could look back and see them entering the lock, or see the water being emptied. I have no doubt that after dark this flight is not somewhere that I would want to be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSMR6OAvm6x-rYGVnjRyUl2vN88eeoxaPE4m_EYKAhPMMP_dWEamEORQWe1uDV2jF_MT6PduTffXoLeWpumXWjde8eBveUNRzXISwTnOJ5RBSYta2NMhZtdZ9itIsdgK33VG-9xiMJUA/s1600/IMG_6654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSMR6OAvm6x-rYGVnjRyUl2vN88eeoxaPE4m_EYKAhPMMP_dWEamEORQWe1uDV2jF_MT6PduTffXoLeWpumXWjde8eBveUNRzXISwTnOJ5RBSYta2NMhZtdZ9itIsdgK33VG-9xiMJUA/s1600/IMG_6654.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attractive former factory.</td></tr>
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We only had one place where the water levels caused any significant problems, when we found neither boat would move out of an emptied lock - they were either sitting on the lock bottom, or whatever debris was on top of that. By letting down more water the boats were able to move forward, although neither could still initially clear the bottom cill, and further water was needed to flush them over this. It was all a bit odd, because once we had enough water to float out of the lock, levels were not significantly down in that pound at all - there seems to be little available margin, and a deep draughted boat like "Sickle" would doubtless struggle far more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX1IZLnKMrJkQnLWSiex2fOl3OrhrcwiJ1rMZB8ABjGReCgwFSQOvip-JcnBTDsBD86RGglLKtz4Kio5LhaJz8tJIGjMFeuVz_VVl6-v1uPnetwHmgjB3Ybzz2C7Xa5TbiBVcLgVOUtA/s1600/CIMG6135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX1IZLnKMrJkQnLWSiex2fOl3OrhrcwiJ1rMZB8ABjGReCgwFSQOvip-JcnBTDsBD86RGglLKtz4Kio5LhaJz8tJIGjMFeuVz_VVl6-v1uPnetwHmgjB3Ybzz2C7Xa5TbiBVcLgVOUtA/s1600/CIMG6135.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the more attractive urban bits.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Thirty locks, all completed by soon after 5:00 pm - including a supermarket visit. Many people are reluctant to attempt this canal, but with another crew it wasn't bad. Talking to Kathy she said that the large number of locks without a 'safe haven' in the middle must put a lot of people off, and that the canal needs somewhere where people feel that they can safely moor up. We moored at Slattocks without any problems, but 30 locks into Manchester for a single crew may be too much. C & RT could improve things considerably by having some safe, locked, offside moorings at a variety of distances from the centre of Manchester.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MSf5sf2iQXxU96g3fnWv7XTKNmL9gKTFkuTVYyHilxHCRRnYTCJ7F-kvivTSLA5bRQn3hHO77CgLM5y0Y1BiRpF1SnZ73JPenCFZdxQ4tl7l-XNtH6w3JqE_haEl1sBBpEP59rwwYPk/s1600/DSCF9385.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MSf5sf2iQXxU96g3fnWv7XTKNmL9gKTFkuTVYyHilxHCRRnYTCJ7F-kvivTSLA5bRQn3hHO77CgLM5y0Y1BiRpF1SnZ73JPenCFZdxQ4tl7l-XNtH6w3JqE_haEl1sBBpEP59rwwYPk/s1600/DSCF9385.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best place for a paddle - the raised bar actually impacts the bridge.</td></tr>
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Richard and Kathy are heading the other way to us, but came into the basin at Piccadilly for the night. It's a secure mooring inside a private housing development, just what is needed in other parts of the canal system locally.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Slattocks to Manchester</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: (Chalice), 10.8 (Sickle), Locks: 30</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 603.5, Locks: 405</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-24656033941966689462014-08-16T22:13:00.000+01:002014-08-16T22:13:17.894+01:00Starting a good recovery after yesterday's set-back.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan/Cath)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Friday 15th August </span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lock where I got stopped in my tracks yesterday.</td></tr>
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So, throughout the last couple of weeks, we have been pursuing a fairly optimistic "plan", (I use that term loosely!), that would enable us to do a whistle-stop tour of much of the Northern canal system we have never seen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical of the final ascent to the summit.</td></tr>
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The "plan" was indeed optimistic, and very much relied on nothing going wrong, either with us, the boat, or CRT;s infrastructure. Now yours truly had broken the plan, (and to some degree himself), by falling off a bike and curtailing a boating day well early of expectations - though if you had seen the weather at the time, you could be excused for thinking that no more boating that day was a blessing in disguise.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self explanatory!</td></tr>
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I spent a not too uncomfortable night, but woke up looking a bit of a mess. Bruising was travelling out from my damaged cheek, right up to my eye. Also the wound had leaked through the dressing, which now didn't look to attractive, but as the firm advice was that both the steri-strips and the protective dressing should remain undisturbed for as long as possible, it would have to stay as it is.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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More of a worry was that I had at least badly sprained a thumb, and I wasn't sure to what extent I could now wield a windlass or climb lock ladders, although I felt I would be OK to steer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_BP_ppqX7n5KZN39OX6-5ZjNtaxrcv3iOPm6Y820Rp_FYHgBhjzFjDNoMUzkvVm9xxNGjBDlCbrKm7ohWglkFkaTb7Y4tsOnRI8611PtC2tW1uPVBDJeMqugv4ldaXlQ42HWaUCDwbs/s1600/IMG_9505.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_BP_ppqX7n5KZN39OX6-5ZjNtaxrcv3iOPm6Y820Rp_FYHgBhjzFjDNoMUzkvVm9xxNGjBDlCbrKm7ohWglkFkaTb7Y4tsOnRI8611PtC2tW1uPVBDJeMqugv4ldaXlQ42HWaUCDwbs/s1600/IMG_9505.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the climb - summit 600 feet above sea level.</td></tr>
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A look at the canal planner showed we were about a quarter of a day down, but that two longish days could still see us complete the climb to the Rochdale canal summit, and fully downhill again into Manchester. However the number of these heavy locks involved looked fairly daunting.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEKNh0jD0w8hftmUUI2Pz6PJVTouWUoLcPdP4wbEGaAAsM18QlMydmftDMrAqOERdrurnlLk_PxhXNhRcX096tzNmFRjo3KzsrbZHODRxJSYTzoe_XFqrezfcL0HjSRBpIStDujp8V9E/s1600/IMG_9510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEKNh0jD0w8hftmUUI2Pz6PJVTouWUoLcPdP4wbEGaAAsM18QlMydmftDMrAqOERdrurnlLk_PxhXNhRcX096tzNmFRjo3KzsrbZHODRxJSYTzoe_XFqrezfcL0HjSRBpIStDujp8V9E/s1600/IMG_9510.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The summit.</td></tr>
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Then we got some really good news. The couple on the boat we had caught up with yesterday, and who had helpfully waited for us, only to see me put myself out of action shortly after, were still very keen to partner another boat. They seemed up for going for a long boating day, so we willingly agreed to go together, pointing out that I might not be 100% useful.<br /> <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqG5lfMudaJ6moy2kE2wJBKxC9CwsMa80QH-aWmQQ5qp2f0WnWM2R5FNm8AAfyWyhm2G34RwMq7BJHCoKkye8mvWaOtoX35MlRSGS1STFGhtiyWnBFN1OUXLA0nt-BIDJ23cShAC8gYU/s1600/IMG_6631.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqG5lfMudaJ6moy2kE2wJBKxC9CwsMa80QH-aWmQQ5qp2f0WnWM2R5FNm8AAfyWyhm2G34RwMq7BJHCoKkye8mvWaOtoX35MlRSGS1STFGhtiyWnBFN1OUXLA0nt-BIDJ23cShAC8gYU/s1600/IMG_6631.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the summit, again.</td></tr>
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In fact Richard and Kathy, as we found out they were called, proved to be a very experienced crew, not at all afraid of hard work, and able to move their boat along most efficiently. Despite all the locks remaining as not in our favour, we had no difficulty permanently having one person ahead setting them, as the remaining four worked the boats through each lock, and closed everything up as they left. We very quickly settled into a largely very good rhythm, and I think it would have been hard to go along much better. If trusted with a windlass, I found I could wind most paddles OK, largely using just my good hand, although I felt rather less confident about climbing lock ladders in what are mostly very deep locks.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstfGIpc_euJQh4_HgWh1bXvi7yrl-NKMfGAqrb-zdunkiaAjHzHZc4e29D6-_C1aXLb-XkR70dihODWVxEJr-_3qpeZ-eHM_jpSmvsWe2SY3tmwn_naOhEdTiRw43ukXldn518AwXK5k/s1600/DSCF9373.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstfGIpc_euJQh4_HgWh1bXvi7yrl-NKMfGAqrb-zdunkiaAjHzHZc4e29D6-_C1aXLb-XkR70dihODWVxEJr-_3qpeZ-eHM_jpSmvsWe2SY3tmwn_naOhEdTiRw43ukXldn518AwXK5k/s1600/DSCF9373.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floral display</td></tr>
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Everything about the passage over the summit itself is truly stunning. At 600 feet above sea level, it is the highest on any broad canal in England, (although trumped by that on the nearby Huddersfield Narrow canal. It is a remarkably short summit level, being well under a mile between uphill and downhill locks). It is perhaps neither better, nor worse than the best bits we saw of the Leeds and Liverpool, but despite being surrounded by similar big hills, is different in character. Cath described it as "more intimate", in as much as the interesting features are often significantly less distant, (but no less impressive for that).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjt8PEn7gKK-M3t6vdTJP6kvEBtDSIV2RHS5VM-4QUOn1N0Dnt3z5JKzJhow_czxi1v1Rl1xC_biqfsvYj7qcA83hra91oB2-D4UvqbOTKNd_hsRy9dDrKch2iguKXqPtn7X_N3JthVA/s1600/DSCF9374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjt8PEn7gKK-M3t6vdTJP6kvEBtDSIV2RHS5VM-4QUOn1N0Dnt3z5JKzJhow_czxi1v1Rl1xC_biqfsvYj7qcA83hra91oB2-D4UvqbOTKNd_hsRy9dDrKch2iguKXqPtn7X_N3JthVA/s1600/DSCF9374.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cath promised these helpful locals a picture in the blog. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We had calculated where we needed to be to roughly split the journey to Manchester into two manageable days, and in the end stopped where that calculation indicated. It actually meant significantly more locks to do tomorrow than today, but this was offset by less miles to cover. Fortunately Richard and Kathy were happy to spend the whole day in tandem with us, and looked like they might do so again tomorrow, which would be a real result.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdve8quVyLOk9QSUDwG4icWZl7ebk3hV_2-mT4mBeu-JaDnizdiUUoqFhhHe0LQM7QeTzo2LH-URjGIC_apAYoLtNrAAHyuxJ4FRHiHwZIO-eKJosmfd37emYjOrlhibwoE06cXJ1fihw/s1600/CIMG6107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdve8quVyLOk9QSUDwG4icWZl7ebk3hV_2-mT4mBeu-JaDnizdiUUoqFhhHe0LQM7QeTzo2LH-URjGIC_apAYoLtNrAAHyuxJ4FRHiHwZIO-eKJosmfd37emYjOrlhibwoE06cXJ1fihw/s1600/CIMG6107.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't walk under the M62 culvert, as the towpath was moored elsewhere.</td></tr>
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Richard and I did an exploratory walk to the nearest pub, (which was further than we thought it would be). It would have fed us, but in the end we all elected to eat on our boats, and maybe go for a drink or two later. In the end Cath, Richard and I went, but by then the pub was playing loud music, allegedly for an organised party, although there wasn't a lot of evidence of the party itself. Converstaion was still possible, but not as easy as it might have been, and in the end we decided to go and get some rest for the even greater exertion expected tomorrow.<br />
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But we had had a very good day, and the lock total doesn't really tell the whole story. Quite a few of the locks are marked as being narrower than will safely accommodate two boats, due to subsidence. So at each of these, the lock has to be worked twice, once for each boat. We hoped we would not encounter too many more of these tomorrow!<br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Walsden to Slattocks</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 11.0 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 23</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 592.7, Locks: 375</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-51064345967943672792014-08-16T18:31:00.000+01:002014-08-16T18:31:19.725+01:00Progressing well until a visit to an Urgent Care Centre.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Thursday 14th August </span></b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2MLbr-_OI3sp67pJ5C7oAnesNOPCY4dGJuPuCYgTl6BAdlYOpMPdGblUrKMNLVeM10rvdsP5wRWX5_GSqeXPZahvRsHUD604ndtE7nWTs0usAu7vG5XEU3VNlRXbOO-S5u3ReBXSK2E/s1600/IMG_6605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2MLbr-_OI3sp67pJ5C7oAnesNOPCY4dGJuPuCYgTl6BAdlYOpMPdGblUrKMNLVeM10rvdsP5wRWX5_GSqeXPZahvRsHUD604ndtE7nWTs0usAu7vG5XEU3VNlRXbOO-S5u3ReBXSK2E/s1600/IMG_6605.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hebden Bridge </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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We headed up through Hebden Bridge. It looks interesting, although a bit 'alternative', and I would have liked time to explore, but that must wait for another visit, as we still have a deadline to meet.<b> </b><br />
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Almost at the first lock we met with a hire boater who told us horror stories of other boaters stranded in shallow pounds without water for more than two hours, boaters who had turned back from going over the summit because of lack of water. However, for us, it's too late to turn back, so we kept going.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECAccvMxAmsZR2IWNMIfcK94cAG15dkSnZeEsEsVGS5Gp_Fq-S7qof-KidaFd3IXkGqXVs-UpWYqRUiwUgFXI6keg98rXFF7-U2F1bVJehtKCMHeDNh0BdeNdKQ7LokZ22Da0lvG1X1U/s1600/DSCF9334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhECAccvMxAmsZR2IWNMIfcK94cAG15dkSnZeEsEsVGS5Gp_Fq-S7qof-KidaFd3IXkGqXVs-UpWYqRUiwUgFXI6keg98rXFF7-U2F1bVJehtKCMHeDNh0BdeNdKQ7LokZ22Da0lvG1X1U/s1600/DSCF9334.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hebden Bridge <br />
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We didn't actually have very many problems until we got to Todmorden, with the famous wall, described to me as a 50 foot wall - but reputed to contain more than 4 million bricks. Then we managed to let down enough water to keep going, with few real limitations. Having said that, the locks seem to empty slowly, and the ground paddles are quite vicious. Going uphill the paddles need to go up fairly slowly to prevent the boat being flung forward at the lock gates at speed. Because of this the locks seemed to fill more slowly than we are used to on our home territory.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUL4eB1LBXhisJvMX9DgJDDjR7F_mK3-q9iboq_BhMFIJQLH3MR_ApwaC4FKjolEmGXAOZHPnPgftL8x4r1afE0BwABTC62dSy8s2Uoconne2fMMb006wAE9ctlYoe3n5vlgmkZ8kzoE/s1600/DSCF9337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUL4eB1LBXhisJvMX9DgJDDjR7F_mK3-q9iboq_BhMFIJQLH3MR_ApwaC4FKjolEmGXAOZHPnPgftL8x4r1afE0BwABTC62dSy8s2Uoconne2fMMb006wAE9ctlYoe3n5vlgmkZ8kzoE/s1600/DSCF9337.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottages</td></tr>
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Odin was dressed in his buoyancy aid, so that he could be on the back of the boat with me, while Alan went ahead and David worked the lock for me. The weather was fine, and David even put sun block on - which always seems to be a signal for the heavens to open. Which did eventually happen, of course.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb0CbiN3pfFsX_dHl51CD09Mcv8ob5DKmgwdwVbFVDg4ZibB6_TjWzbwC-RJyk0F0s3gEhvENpj_1yws-PxXH7zU9od672us4PtYsJu6Q8NHl3vdvzN3Lsu-xoczgOCszgGwSgQ3AMW8/s1600/DSCF9342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb0CbiN3pfFsX_dHl51CD09Mcv8ob5DKmgwdwVbFVDg4ZibB6_TjWzbwC-RJyk0F0s3gEhvENpj_1yws-PxXH7zU9od672us4PtYsJu6Q8NHl3vdvzN3Lsu-xoczgOCszgGwSgQ3AMW8/s1600/DSCF9342.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canoe centre below Lobb Mill lock.</td></tr>
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As we approached the summit of the Rochdale, still some half dozen or so locks down, we caught up with another boat working singly up the locks, they waited for us in lock 30. Alan went ahead with the bike to set the next lock, then radioed back that he had broken the head off one of our 'long throw' windlasses. The gates required a windlass to open then, and he had broken one of the aluminium windlasses while trying to open the gates. Almost immediately afterwards we got another radio message, which was garbled and difficult to understand, but it seemed that Alan had had an accident.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkbmF4XFNVBaRT4pFnRIxW459PlqRu_JlqytATkHB82qIcQaOohpqqpy7JotVWOgwWJKsSw7VQFYAO8vEjvMqr8tD2osaWyE334zTwsF4wHzeCREoOsTr7fsxagKKUyCbxZpf5MGi_9g/s1600/DSCF9351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkbmF4XFNVBaRT4pFnRIxW459PlqRu_JlqytATkHB82qIcQaOohpqqpy7JotVWOgwWJKsSw7VQFYAO8vEjvMqr8tD2osaWyE334zTwsF4wHzeCREoOsTr7fsxagKKUyCbxZpf5MGi_9g/s1600/DSCF9351.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobb Mill lock</td></tr>
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David ran through the rain along the towpath, I gunned the boat up the pound and brought it to a halt ready for mooring. Alan appeared through the rain, pushing the bike, with blood pouring from his cheek, and soaking the front of his clothing. He had been returning to the boat for another windlass, the bike had slipped sideways in the mud, and Alan had gone over the handlebars.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXkJ4BM-jRGu_C3XbUmQ7GSHP9ZFWr11qDgE0xS1PeCD_eZ-HGIuUC5JjtIkUoXC3dmhLn6-fgQetfGmu0N-IEAr11vMyK7mf8ujB21Po9LQAyWzxq2egd-vUXoOZQV45WFUH1rsMlCY/s1600/IMG_6622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXkJ4BM-jRGu_C3XbUmQ7GSHP9ZFWr11qDgE0xS1PeCD_eZ-HGIuUC5JjtIkUoXC3dmhLn6-fgQetfGmu0N-IEAr11vMyK7mf8ujB21Po9LQAyWzxq2egd-vUXoOZQV45WFUH1rsMlCY/s1600/IMG_6622.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another guillotine gated lock - in Todmorden, this time.</td></tr>
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David took charge of the boat, mooring it, locking the bike up, explaining to the other boat crew what had happened, etc. while I looked at Alan's face. Not life threatening, but a mess, a very deep cut about an inch or so long an inch or so beneath his eye on his cheek. It was also filled with towpath grit. I irrigated it with wound wash solution, and got Alan to apply pressure to sterile gauze to try to stop it bleeding. Then we got going on the Internet. The nearest Urgent Care centre was in Rochdale, some 7 or 8 miles away. A taxi firm was identified, and rung. They were very helpful, trying to work out exactly where we were, and helping us to find somewhere we could get to quickly. Then, dressing pressed to Alan's face, we set off down the muddy towpath towards our agreed meeting place with the taxi firm.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-Q4tS9OsoqCBDpiHggwCvb0_s7bNfxw8ir8F3-nOMK6C11kk_7kH5cniGYc1JGggJuVB_Cgahh-9e7Lu8RLPnHrtywBCdJh4xxR4zH2Q9GsJM6F9EXrYHCmERZqRU8r1XelunKGXezM/s1600/DSCF9358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-Q4tS9OsoqCBDpiHggwCvb0_s7bNfxw8ir8F3-nOMK6C11kk_7kH5cniGYc1JGggJuVB_Cgahh-9e7Lu8RLPnHrtywBCdJh4xxR4zH2Q9GsJM6F9EXrYHCmERZqRU8r1XelunKGXezM/s1600/DSCF9358.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Great Wall of Todmorden" allegedly contains over 4 million bricks.</td></tr>
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They found us quickly, and we were at Urgent Care within about 15 minutes. I registered Alan who went to sit down. Date of birth? Name? So you live in Berkhamsted then. Any other injuries? Within the last hour? Religion? and so on...<br />
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After an hour he was seen by the Triage nurse, who said that he would have to wait another hour and a half or so to be stitched. Meantime we sat in the waiting room with a large number of people, none of whom seemed to have any visible injuries.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgak7bU8WrXViYvw-nqGH47lTYzOa63ZadGeXuXD5XHnskv1VjHJPK5heURYNYtC2fzAwGePKhzaKUXE3eVM2d-T_U0PwrL2j9m-b7pOn3SdKXdThhwYcYCsdWgg3-Hf2cX_PO6aH_rA/s1600/CIMG6086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgak7bU8WrXViYvw-nqGH47lTYzOa63ZadGeXuXD5XHnskv1VjHJPK5heURYNYtC2fzAwGePKhzaKUXE3eVM2d-T_U0PwrL2j9m-b7pOn3SdKXdThhwYcYCsdWgg3-Hf2cX_PO6aH_rA/s1600/CIMG6086.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The locks are more attractive than Rochdale Urgent Care Centre!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The nurse who called Alan in for treatment was an experienced and very helpful person - quite honestly, just the sort of thing the NHS needs. She tried first to steristrip the wound, and because it went together so well she decided not to stitch. She called me in and showed me how well it had joined, and pointed to the skin below Alan's eye, which was now red and purple. She explained that as the skin was very tender, stitching it would be difficult, and it would be likely to tear, so she felt that in the circumstances it would be better to put a dressing over the steristrips. She then provided me with plenty of steristrips, dressings, etc. in case it needed re-dressing. She also put Alan on a course of anti-biotics, to prevent any bugs that he had picked up with the grit on the towpath. We were finished soon after 9 pm, about 3 hours after arrival. We got a taxi from the hospital back to Walsden where we had moored, and were back at the boat before 10 pm.<br />
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20 years ago if we had been in this situation we would have had to walk to the nearest payphone, to ring the hospital, and to ring the taxi firm. We would have been operating in the dark, with no idea of local services. As it was we could identify where we were - from Google Maps - and then work out from that to what we needed to know. A matter of a few minutes on the Internet. <br />
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The couple on the boat that we had shared only one lock with had decided to moor up because of the rain - or perhaps because we seemed to be a bit accident prone. We hoped that they would decide that they wanted to share locks with us in the morning. <br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Hebden Bridge to Walsden</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 7.0 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 22</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 581.7, Locks: 352</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-37121535885453612172014-08-16T12:34:00.000+01:002014-08-16T12:34:20.701+01:00More lock variations -Including deepest in the country.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Wednesday 13th August </span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enough vegetation to cause problems in a lock.</td></tr>
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Our journey up the rather different Calder and Hebble continued, with a firm resolve to reach Hebden Bridge today if we could. We were told it was a bit special, and being also a little bit "alternative", our quest for decent vegetarian food should be easy to satisfy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearing a blocked paddle to allow it to close properly.</td></tr>
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Before then, though, we had quite a few more locks to do, including some that are definitely even more "different" than we had done already on the Calder and Hebble.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guillotine lock gate at Salterhebble</td></tr>
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However today "different" initially meant relatively standard locks but with some problem causing them to take a bit longer than the norm. In one we found massive clumps of vegetation - probably some of the worst we had ever seen actually make it into a lock. Usually you can push it out of the way and carry on, but this would make even opening the gates difficult. we got out OK, but with large amounts then firmly stuck under Chalice's front end, which it proved remarkably hard to float out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guillotine gates at the bottom, but conventional ones at the top.</td></tr>
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Later we encountered a lock which had just been used by one of the very small number of boats we encountered coming the other way. Its steerer informed us that one of the hand spike operated top gate paddles was stuck half open, making it very hard to fully empty the lock and open the bottom gates - he had reported it to CRT. We were surprised we could use the lock at all with so much water constantly passing uncontrolled through a top gate paddle, but managed to. Clearly the paddle had been being hit with a sledge hammer in a bid to lower it, as the wood at the top was now all smashed up. However feeling around with a "shaft", (or "boat hook" to none boaty types!), it was obvious it was blocked with more vegetation. A bit of "fussocking" managed to drag this out, and the paddle would now close easily as intended. If CRT did come out, they would have found a working paddle, but with its top now smashed up - I wonder if they could guess the full story?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grade 2 listed, apparently - also another typical C&H paddle.</td></tr>
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At the quaintly named Salterhebble is a delightful flight of three locks in quick succession. However a road widening scheme many years ago had deprived the bottom lock of space for conventional swinging gates with balance beams, and it has since then sported a massive guillotine gate, that is electrically raised. I don't think we have ever before actually passed under a guillotine gate actively in use.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Incongruous mix of spike and hydraulic operated paddle gear on same gates.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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As we worked up the flight a volunteer lock keeper had a long chat with us, during which we learned:<br />
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1) That although CRT sub-contract the grass cutting that was in progress to a firm called Fountains, in this area those cutting the grass are not employed by Fountains. Fountains apparently further subcontract it again to a firm that busses people up from essex each week to cut grass in the North. You couldn't make it up, could you, but a shame that CRT can't save money by their contract being with the firm actually doing the work.<br />
2) That the middle lock here is the shortest on the Calder and Hebble, and the longest boats can only pass it backwards to get past the gates.<br />
3) That the attractive buildings are Grade 2 listed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving up first locks on Rochdale towards Tuel Lane tunnel.</td></tr>
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Part way through the day, in Sowerby Bridge, the Calder and Hebble gives way to the fairly recently restored Rochdale canal. As we approached the point that signals the switch, I noticed the boat Dr Bradley's Linctus, owned by Canal World Forum member Colin. Colin quickly appeared, gave us some advice about how things worked locally, and suggested we might meet up later for a drink or two - he was happy to meet us at Hebden Bridge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Tuel Lane lock from the tunnel.</td></tr>
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Our other main appointment of the day was the Tuel Lane
lock, almost immediately as we passed from the Calder and Hebble to the
relatively recently restored Rochdale canal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tuel lane lock is a modern structure that replaces two former locks that
were lost when the canal was derelict, and roads got widened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, at 19 feet 8 inches deep Tuel Lane is
the deepest lock in the country, and has to be approached through a long
curving tunnel that goes underneath everything that got built over the derelict
canal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can only be worked through it
by a lock keeper, and they are only now permanently there at weekends, so we
had had to give 24 hours notice for a booked mid-week passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been cautious and booked 3:00 pm, but
were actually there ready about an hour earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the way this lock operates, you
actually have to stop below the two conventional locks that precede it, and
await instruction.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not a lock to mess with!</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This massive lock is tucked away on a very narrow site,
surrounded by roads, and the approach through a tunnel means you see little of
it until actually entering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering
its unusualness, it is very hard to take photos that emphasize the scale of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you rise you have to put ropes
around "risers" in the walls to hold your position - tensioned steel
cables that your ropes slide up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
actually found I had to hang on for dear life at the back, although David did
far better at the front.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once on the Rochdale you are no longer on a canal restricted
to shorter boats, and a full length boat of 70 feet can use it, (although
obviously only until it reaches the Calder and Hebble, where it would need to
turn around again!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found the
initial locks straightforward, but being deep, (most around a 10 feet rise), we
had to control the incoming paddles well, or the boat really swings about and
bashed the sides, (the locks being twice as wide as the boat).</div>
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards the enytry tunnel.</td></tr>
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Hebden Bridge was reached without difficulty in very much the time we had predicted.Cath walked up and found a recommended pub, the Stubbing Wharf that would feed us, and happily take Odin, so we all went along later, and I thought it very good. Later our friend Colin turned up, and we had a good natter about all kinds of things for several hours -an interesting evening. Quite late on, as we were about to set off to the boat very tired, Colin announced he was now going on to meet some other people - clearly he has more stamina than we do! <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Brighouse (Calder & Hebble Navigation) to Hebden Bridge (Rochdale Canal)</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 13.2 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 18</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 574.7, Locks: 330</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-3073409578100810272014-08-15T22:06:00.000+01:002014-08-15T22:06:01.974+01:00The Calder and Hebble - Variety In lock and paddle gear design.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan</span></b>)<br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Tuesday 12th August </span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRapGYB6q3KW250arMKbSlrwDRSiHwECUDHxkEB-jI99i-Vt4ty0fDiLR3zcHISwXBRD6I5-f_r74iuMkp5M7hyHOwmktIJZeQzrVwF9InWzSLG5U2uAh5Mpls1-RAM1faEc7Z8cYiK0/s1600/IMG_6549.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David demonstrates use of the unique Calder & Hebble hand spike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="color: #660000;"></span></b>We enjoyed our brief stay in Wakefield - it is quite unusual for us to turn up in a large town or city to find no other visiting boats at all, but despite being on moorings between two fairly major roads, and opposite a Marston's pub, we had a very quiet night,and had nothing more to worry about than preventing Odin eating any of the copious amounts of duck poo that had come from copious amounts of ducks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potential hazard - large overhanging walkway that boat can catch under as it rises.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last night we had passed from the Aire and Calder navigation, with its massive mechanised locks onto the Calder and Hebble navigation. The Calder and Hebble is a different prospect altogether, as it boasts some of the shortest locks of all regularly used canal or river navigations. Opinions differ as to the maximum length of boats that can traverse it, but anything over about 58 Feet for a narrow boat is definitely a challenge, (we have already watched enough antics to confirm that statement), and about 60 feet is only possible with a lot of shuffling the boat to make it possible to open or close bottom gates, (some locks allegedly only allowing this if the boat is in backwards).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flood lock - gates normally open to boat traffic.</td></tr>
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We had so far only passed through one Calder and Hebble lock, ("Fall Ing", which rather worryingly has a bridge over it labelled "Fall Ing Bridge"). To put it mildly it was a "bastard", and David declared that as he could barely work it, if all the others were similar, then we were in trouble.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attractive pair of typical locks - closely space in this case.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fortunately, as we progressed up the C&H, it became apparent that whilst some of the locks were hard work, most were fairly easy to manage. The eccentric paddle gear, however, is something else. Some of the older stuff you wind is encased in great cast iron cases, which to me reminiscent of some Victorian tomb stones. Where it has not been disconnected, (and many of the ground paddles are), then it works well. But traditional C&H paddle gear also features a unique type that is not wound with a conventional windlass at all, but instead used the "hand spike". The hand spike is a large, heavy wooden handle, which inserts into a capstan type wheel and raises the paddle as you pull on the handle - but you can only get about a maximum of a third of a rotation of the gear, before you have to remove the hand spike - reinsert it in different holes, and take another pull. It sounds awful, but actually works remarkably well.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhsy9UxJ0HeUlg8hccAzn0qG4RyQ49fiJnLQ2SSQHf8ZAz027i0VdpYeh4KSKLp-5cTDfQc0jibTZmo7-MYlqOFvnrq3HPtLrFc2b5QClgSQBkSDrD5EchoICvz4XCBoSJn8FvZmldm0/s1600/IMG_6574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhsy9UxJ0HeUlg8hccAzn0qG4RyQ49fiJnLQ2SSQHf8ZAz027i0VdpYeh4KSKLp-5cTDfQc0jibTZmo7-MYlqOFvnrq3HPtLrFc2b5QClgSQBkSDrD5EchoICvz4XCBoSJn8FvZmldm0/s1600/IMG_6574.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look at hand spike mechanism - opposite gate has conventional paddle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alongside these traditional types, other paddles have just acquired more "generic" hand winding gear, (mostly OK, though some over geared), but the horrendous hydraulic paddles, (which have been hated by many boaters for over 40 years now!), are also used extensively. You have no idea what you will find at any lock, (so must always have the hand spike with you, as well as the windlass), and bizarrely, where gates have clearly been replaced in pairs, the paddle type on each may not match. The most bizarre combination wit ll see a newly fitted hand spike operated paddle on one gate, and a "modern" hydraulic on the other.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q8saNWAnHa6yNmtJOPCSoE5m8bHXUyA73S3zWlGWnzUAdvuD_nUP48WnI8ysHTO0FnquEahTlJemKU-fFFZH9MczA9hkPIYlmJwDrLrR82tg70sUO9rIFtpokak5JitVWGgIQUMdeTw/s1600/IMG_9488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0q8saNWAnHa6yNmtJOPCSoE5m8bHXUyA73S3zWlGWnzUAdvuD_nUP48WnI8ysHTO0FnquEahTlJemKU-fFFZH9MczA9hkPIYlmJwDrLrR82tg70sUO9rIFtpokak5JitVWGgIQUMdeTw/s1600/IMG_9488.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overnight mooring yields yet another full rainbow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another thing that we are no used to on what is a river based navigation are significant numbers of either flood locks, or flood gates, most of which are left open in normal river conditions, so you just motor through them. Whilst the purpose of most as a flood defense of some kind or another could be guessed, there were some that seemed to protect nothing useful at all, even if closed, and we couldn't actually work out what they could ever achieve. (Maybe other things have been changedthat have since rendered some of them white elephants?). <br />
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I was rather taken by the C&H, but as I watched boats that were anything like the important 57 to 60 foot length try to use the locks, without filling one end or the other with water, I was immensely grateful that Chalice is only 50 feet.<br />
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Brighouse provided a good place to end the day, although the visitor moorings we used are a bit unusual, being in a short wide pound in a short flight of locks. There are two good full sized supermarkets here, so when we forgot some items in one, we were then able to sample the other. <br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Wakefield to Brighouse (Calder & Hebble Navigation)</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 15.5 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 15</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">(not counting about 8 sets of flood gates or locks, normally left open) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 561.5, Locks: 312</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-29795831744965541752014-08-11T22:00:00.000+01:002014-08-16T12:40:03.784+01:00A very windy day<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Post for Monday 11th August </span></b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo3TgvolbC2dlc9aeez9yknfMfsC6Do5JiB6t-3067fC5gA5pVxSKR2aWKYesnJgjpLY5J2_hgXNEZM4gCKv6ZxIcSGSeL9UDZCvnnmIj3EjA5qmm6iRo_6Dox4gOMUGGYpSx-FYJ7P8/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo3TgvolbC2dlc9aeez9yknfMfsC6Do5JiB6t-3067fC5gA5pVxSKR2aWKYesnJgjpLY5J2_hgXNEZM4gCKv6ZxIcSGSeL9UDZCvnnmIj3EjA5qmm6iRo_6Dox4gOMUGGYpSx-FYJ7P8/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Please can I be involved in some small way?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I haven't bothered to buy new jeans for a while, I lost a bit of weight last year, then found a month back that I had lost a few more pounds. I was thinking that I would continue to keep my jeans up with an increasingly tight belt, then buy some new ones when I could fit into a smaller size, since the ones I have are getting a bit baggy.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIEhGxhVE4dF0ysHxRS_YG55QRfjGpKQS-ikEUh0BQtvb45bITt5LoN0vcNln61pw6KIlmMArVuSfTWZJ5IgTiudAX1nDyOCtbQuycpYngzTf4hrage7kI1PNvZWTx-n_Lo12HcXKjZw/s1600/DSCF9275.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIEhGxhVE4dF0ysHxRS_YG55QRfjGpKQS-ikEUh0BQtvb45bITt5LoN0vcNln61pw6KIlmMArVuSfTWZJ5IgTiudAX1nDyOCtbQuycpYngzTf4hrage7kI1PNvZWTx-n_Lo12HcXKjZw/s1600/DSCF9275.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Aire & Calder locks make a narrow boat look very small,</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, the jeans really have suffered from boating. They are increasingly stained, and no amount of pre-treatment and scrubbing with 'Vanish' will lift the marks. I decided the other day that they were now getting so thin that you could, as my late MIL used to say when faced with thinning fabric, "shuffle peas through them". I left one grubby pair on Sickle, and had only two pairs on Chalice, a bit of a problem to wash and dry them before the other pair was dirty too. No choice, I would have to buy some more. Leeds provided the answer, an M & S only half a mile from the mooring, and opening at 8 am. I noticed also that one of David's pairs of jeans was in danger of wearing through in the derriere - not a good thing.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjLsGMsY1V_jnfLjFUW2XlIg-YqqSz95xe1xpjpA44K1RqEOoopW3LB7cPhDgv_Q-MaC5OxZ8Dl-bf1n5iJ-v4RE7KSY8q-TzJt2dOS4rjOVkOi9IgXn15lY6NhD76xjW474eYx6Nifg/s1600/CIMG6007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjLsGMsY1V_jnfLjFUW2XlIg-YqqSz95xe1xpjpA44K1RqEOoopW3LB7cPhDgv_Q-MaC5OxZ8Dl-bf1n5iJ-v4RE7KSY8q-TzJt2dOS4rjOVkOi9IgXn15lY6NhD76xjW474eYx6Nifg/s1600/CIMG6007.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These really are very big locks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So David and I set off to buy jeans, which we had done by 8:30. I'm really quite shocked when I get things done early in the day, I'm usually a get things done late person. We then hit the food halls and were back at the boat by nine, ready to set off. Everyone in Leeds seemed so friendly and helpful.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuxJwP0e5u_Pe6onO1sN_gx9S6eE8N9ZB1uzhQgOPtywHH1qJSpDhd7gjgLVl-BhbHNFiHqXILS-dlxb3UWjAHOSfU6Y6pNNHjPoIcntRTgiRNx60QDmUi1AsSrpcMvzUkx_O9Nr3IfI/s1600/IMG_6503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuxJwP0e5u_Pe6onO1sN_gx9S6eE8N9ZB1uzhQgOPtywHH1qJSpDhd7gjgLVl-BhbHNFiHqXILS-dlxb3UWjAHOSfU6Y6pNNHjPoIcntRTgiRNx60QDmUi1AsSrpcMvzUkx_O9Nr3IfI/s1600/IMG_6503.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will take a boat 200 feet long, and 20 feet wide, according to the guide.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was getting very windy as we headed towards the lock. We helped Grace and Favour, a large widebeam, whose owners are on Canal World Forum, lock down, then a family of hire boaters lock up. The parents stayed on the boat while some youngish teenage boys helped us. I suggested that they might like to find out how to operate a lock, so the mother climbed up. They seemed completely bemused by paddle gear. They had come off the river, where all the locks are electrically operated, you just push buttons. "So, after this lock, there are lock keepers, then?"<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ElCtnMfZskSXAbcBT3XZnGdChrYYVagafcOb4MoRjQxJj8IxBu4r4Hr88VScWmVLDjnehQcUewAOIaZjjJ3MnBu5wMQZZF7sb763sUcJH0WvQNoFJnc73U1MNfI_n88xjG2wsTN4umQ/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ElCtnMfZskSXAbcBT3XZnGdChrYYVagafcOb4MoRjQxJj8IxBu4r4Hr88VScWmVLDjnehQcUewAOIaZjjJ3MnBu5wMQZZF7sb763sUcJH0WvQNoFJnc73U1MNfI_n88xjG2wsTN4umQ/s1600/IMG_6515.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On some parts river levels were just into the yellow/amber.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No, I explained, some of the more difficult staircases have lock keepers. "And they do it all for you?"<br />
<br />
No, they expect you to help them, and not all the staircases have keepers, so you need to learn from them while you have the chance. <br />
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We also told them basic rules for double staircases, to open ground paddles before gate paddles, to use the ratchets when winding up, and suggested that on such a windy day they might need their ropes in a hurry, so perhaps the tangle in the front well deck and the centre line wrapped around the chimney should be tidied up.<br />
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At this point we need to confess, or rather I do. Before we set off on this whole trip Alan had asked if we were going on any rivers, and did we need an anchor. No, I had said, I don't think so, but I forgot to check. At the end of the Leeds & Liverpool canal you head out onto the River Aire, and then, to get back onto the canal system, you turn right onto the River Calder. It's not far, a day's journey, some 12 miles, and it is canalised river, so there are locks. But, we are very cautious boaters, and we didn't have an anchor, because I'd told Alan we wouldn't be going on rivers.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXlYgBgCeQ27Ihl7zxtpfg9KRsq2UYAdx_TOctYE2welJ_QqJZyF2ESvquH1bBGBEW-z_hSo_KyHVe0ooLqHqmlY-d74I1nlgfp2hgfhIulOZ7RVgDrWN1SA-D8jRYmDkkr_THAGCgSE/s1600/CIMG6016.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXlYgBgCeQ27Ihl7zxtpfg9KRsq2UYAdx_TOctYE2welJ_QqJZyF2ESvquH1bBGBEW-z_hSo_KyHVe0ooLqHqmlY-d74I1nlgfp2hgfhIulOZ7RVgDrWN1SA-D8jRYmDkkr_THAGCgSE/s1600/CIMG6016.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously strong wind alone caused these waves.</td></tr>
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Grace and Favour kindly lent us a 25 kg mudweight, to add to the one we already have. (These are heavy weights dropped overboard on a long line, which will keep you still if you are in still water, and will slow you down if you are drifting on a river, but they are not an anchor.) So, with a careful eye on the river level boards, which were still green, but bordering on the amber, we set off. <br />
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The locks on the river are huge, but they fill and empty through electrically operated sluices, which control the amount of flow, so they are not a problem - most of the time.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCkTit_RdS_83YxCaDwz4IDX9mWjCjtas8efHJ-fh6ZKSvogVjuwwt2JfCyX9QkNnYxb_gxJ2j9f_h1NDzpxflxs9SpnptARuv70YSCYr95AdoNiNZQzc238Dyo-69x8akWypt2qBtcQ/s1600/CIMG6017.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCkTit_RdS_83YxCaDwz4IDX9mWjCjtas8efHJ-fh6ZKSvogVjuwwt2JfCyX9QkNnYxb_gxJ2j9f_h1NDzpxflxs9SpnptARuv70YSCYr95AdoNiNZQzc238Dyo-69x8akWypt2qBtcQ/s1600/CIMG6017.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those waves again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We only had problems at one lock, King;s Road. The wind was howling, it was so bad that I was worried about some children with their grandparents on the other side of the lock. I was concerned that in that wind they might be blown off their feet. Above the lock the river was very choppy, and the wind was coming directly towards the lock entrance, although inside the lock the water was almost completely calm.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16SElHzsoyNa8iZ5fg9nbwopBvzlFt2BnomvFBWNqeNCECX5veNwM31nvygOnwiQ2DHLunu_UQGUISq4_3q1mL1_glixTahQu8bbuLaFRer544YGcEsU8uxy5su_Y5E0GYFKUn4ia2j4/s1600/IMG_6536.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16SElHzsoyNa8iZ5fg9nbwopBvzlFt2BnomvFBWNqeNCECX5veNwM31nvygOnwiQ2DHLunu_UQGUISq4_3q1mL1_glixTahQu8bbuLaFRer544YGcEsU8uxy5su_Y5E0GYFKUn4ia2j4/s1600/IMG_6536.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CRT's works at Stanley Ferry where new lock gates get built. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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We struggled with the boat in the lock, with it blowing across the lock, although David and Alan together managed to pull it back to one side. Once the gates were open, getting the boat out of the lock, into the bucking water, and managing to shut the gates was difficult, with Chalice heading off towards the narrow weir on the right, once again needing all of David's strength to pull the back in again. We discussed pulling over, but kept on for one more lock, when it all died down again.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAi7jnsHGnJNR6jkDv44ISRkQt1LQfy-68aVCJigZmdPaxdpDSshZ1PsjQZ5kQUVvO6UBgKb4aN96LGwons13XYduPt7HWN50D441UO6fbQh8_36QN2gesPq-Q5xHvJ8dBDAbFDZuICI/s1600/CIMG6030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAi7jnsHGnJNR6jkDv44ISRkQt1LQfy-68aVCJigZmdPaxdpDSshZ1PsjQZ5kQUVvO6UBgKb4aN96LGwons13XYduPt7HWN50D441UO6fbQh8_36QN2gesPq-Q5xHvJ8dBDAbFDZuICI/s1600/CIMG6030.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many rainbows seen over recent days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On into Wakefield, where we moored in the town centre. Hopefully tomorrow the wind and rain will have died down.<br />
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In the evening Alan and I consulted the Nicholson guide and the Internet, and headed off a half mile to the Fernandes Brewery Tap. We ended up passing a series of dodgy looking avenues, then went down the final one. At the end of the alley was a door, leading up two flights of steps, where we found a 'real gem'. There was a problem however, we had brought Alan's laptop to be able to do the pictures for the blog - and Alan had left his glasses on the boat. So, he checked what I had typed up, and selected photos, while wearing my glasses. I knitted, and every now and again I got my glasses back to check what I was doing. <br />
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Oh, and I needn't have worried about having to buy baggy jeans, I easily fitted into a size down on previously.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Leeds to Wakefield</span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 18.4 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 11 </span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 546.0, Locks: 297</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-29913077766725705602014-08-10T20:00:00.000+01:002014-08-16T12:39:27.634+01:00Lots more rain, so a quiet passage into Leeds.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice- posted by Cath)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Retrospective post for Sunday 10th August </span></b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwKkXcJpRhX5K6nuD7IQHgm9IyJHmWZ2JleUK7mrXYVXDhcbikKia0PC0YMSSSes1u8czACttejy6YEZX1GBFZlNdarbs-UHkyWlNiI1npHeYlxABxcSs-fhk8Db5HszvyKhWksb5eG4/s1600/IMG_6439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwKkXcJpRhX5K6nuD7IQHgm9IyJHmWZ2JleUK7mrXYVXDhcbikKia0PC0YMSSSes1u8czACttejy6YEZX1GBFZlNdarbs-UHkyWlNiI1npHeYlxABxcSs-fhk8Db5HszvyKhWksb5eG4/s1600/IMG_6439.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saltaire (If you are expecting any sunny pictures, you can forget it!)</td></tr>
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A rainy day was predicted, and we needed to get to at least Rodley, for a run down into Leeds in the morning. So, just as we left our mooring, and headed for the staircase of two, I could see some people about to turn it.<br />
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"Are you coming up?"<br />
"Yes, two of us"<br />
"Could you wait and we will go down at the same time?"<br />
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"We are already in the bottom lock"<br />
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"No matter," said I, "that's my boat there"<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUs6KfJR-08BUeKjM0I8vTpX9jgNKzCSN6TMhjcyp5RV9tsLJg_7Cgh4Ebp1zDUY7dOprLDQoEhjOrVEHjbSIqNqqbzQYhvTKmxrn-8r2Z3d9Vezs9pbt13WFfk5xJJcf01k7VrWHXKE/s1600/CIMG5990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUs6KfJR-08BUeKjM0I8vTpX9jgNKzCSN6TMhjcyp5RV9tsLJg_7Cgh4Ebp1zDUY7dOprLDQoEhjOrVEHjbSIqNqqbzQYhvTKmxrn-8r2Z3d9Vezs9pbt13WFfk5xJJcf01k7VrWHXKE/s1600/CIMG5990.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gate paddles are set high, compared to most in the South.</td></tr>
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Puzzled faces, while I explained that we could go down while they came up.<br />
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One of the women went down to explain to her husband - who shot up to to top lock, waving his arms. "NO, NO, you CANNOT swap three boats in this type of lock"<br />
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"Yes, you can, we've done it loads of times"<br />
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"No, it's impossible" said the man.<br />
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Alan had arrived at this time, and was still sleepy, and couldn't think it through. We acceded, and they went through without us going down. David turned up outside the boat about a minute after they had started winding the paddles and reiterated - it is ALWAYS possible to swap three boats in a staircase of two, even if they are full length. Ah well, we only lost time.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBVh2cirUOYD0NI_k_TmPz_bLxJG0CmafGkoPDROiO7_qpZJrveRUHc6C4fLORLeeuXCjjbJxYlFJtUTsEZN34UEeWtqa7wNMTCofY2GV4M86NNTNgRVrq8PQAYTijrx0sTo5WXg9eQg/s1600/IMG_6461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBVh2cirUOYD0NI_k_TmPz_bLxJG0CmafGkoPDROiO7_qpZJrveRUHc6C4fLORLeeuXCjjbJxYlFJtUTsEZN34UEeWtqa7wNMTCofY2GV4M86NNTNgRVrq8PQAYTijrx0sTo5WXg9eQg/s1600/IMG_6461.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attractive cottages beside Dobson staircase locks</td></tr>
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Eventually through the lock, we carried on through Saltaire.<br />
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As the morning progressed it began to rain, a lot. There were several more three rise staircases, most with lock keepers, but the one in the middle is DIY.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeFAaf_H1mLB4Uc-eC9186zdb33HTaS4kqs-XEokBEv3f1AIopfh4bloCyt9-YvQjqP_EP7MNdwIE-QXa0Cgtj9fvO4x4MQcPgMXfPRx5k-MWFMfV0cx84kmq72xAcdDZRjnMJuD5B_g/s1600/IMG_6463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeFAaf_H1mLB4Uc-eC9186zdb33HTaS4kqs-XEokBEv3f1AIopfh4bloCyt9-YvQjqP_EP7MNdwIE-QXa0Cgtj9fvO4x4MQcPgMXfPRx5k-MWFMfV0cx84kmq72xAcdDZRjnMJuD5B_g/s1600/IMG_6463.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Dobson 2 locks in heavy rain.</td></tr>
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We got to Rodley, and decided that we were in good time to be able to lock down into Leeds, last passage at Newlay Three Locks is at 3:00 pm, so we carried on. The rain stopped, and there were brief glimpses of sun. Then, at Forge Three Locks, (the second three rise staircase in quick succession), the lock keeper expressed surprise. Most people head into Leeds in the morning, to avoid the local youth who gather at the locks and cause trouble. "We had trouble at all the locks down from here yesterday," he said. A pity that we hadn't been told that before we couldn't turn back, or stop.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrgs89ydAkW8zGMmWBg0dKWtbzi6L0G5VQU1eV8XPpPDLhLxpAtnRj9gJxId08jF3fIRWHO2Z7iM2kLXeZ22l23jKZj6EK1CQvau3MEO8mD_0KjNS0PLRrRCY8zJntV7xdFba3xKb-zI/s1600/IMG_6470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrgs89ydAkW8zGMmWBg0dKWtbzi6L0G5VQU1eV8XPpPDLhLxpAtnRj9gJxId08jF3fIRWHO2Z7iM2kLXeZ22l23jKZj6EK1CQvau3MEO8mD_0KjNS0PLRrRCY8zJntV7xdFba3xKb-zI/s1600/IMG_6470.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several 3 lock staircases - Newlay, probably?</td></tr>
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We carried on, and fortunately, the sky greyed over, and moderately heavy rain began - enough to deter the youth of Leeds from visiting the local locks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAWI0RSQa4dQL5G4n5rfbr0VIP2xFdJ7_6rGWLlMV9SkhICO_l6dhE7dJyDg_IbtIkdj1Tz0wIzjjh9JYHVs9noCym4GNX1VeCl7FjAyN-CKlzCjVLCOvhjzwc7YYhmZUglQ2lG9tFDk/s1600/IMG_6474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAWI0RSQa4dQL5G4n5rfbr0VIP2xFdJ7_6rGWLlMV9SkhICO_l6dhE7dJyDg_IbtIkdj1Tz0wIzjjh9JYHVs9noCym4GNX1VeCl7FjAyN-CKlzCjVLCOvhjzwc7YYhmZUglQ2lG9tFDk/s1600/IMG_6474.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Leeds</td></tr>
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In Leeds itself there were no moorings outside Granary Wharf arm, which was largely full. We managed to tuck in behind another boat, and then paid £6 to the security guard. Canal and River Trust do charge for mooring in the arm, but there are no signs to explain this anywhere, and when asked to provide a receipt the guard produced an extremely scrappy piece of paper.<br />
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The rising wind was dragged straight down the side of the Hilton Hotel, and whipped the water in the arm into little peaks, which bashed against the side of the boat all night. David tied down our boat poles with the centre line, for fear of losing them over the side.<br />
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<u>Footnotes added by Alan to Cath's post.</u><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53PCfNkN8j8PkwZRackr5wKvxuf11xJLJ18ikREopEygNDg3COacEf9UFA8TNq2m00FowPRNmYWxlwXRkZyYwKROD_NiNcsG1bVHMMabqXccspeLvI3mFxBbo8uP28Z9hCDtluvZ7-Xs/s1600/DSCF9271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53PCfNkN8j8PkwZRackr5wKvxuf11xJLJ18ikREopEygNDg3COacEf9UFA8TNq2m00FowPRNmYWxlwXRkZyYwKROD_NiNcsG1bVHMMabqXccspeLvI3mFxBbo8uP28Z9hCDtluvZ7-Xs/s1600/DSCF9271.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David & Alan on lock duties.</td></tr>
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On the canals we normally traverse, true staircase locks, (where a gate is shared between locks, forming the top gate of one chamber, and the bottom gate of the next), are somewhat of a rarity. The Grand Union, for example, boast just one two lock staircase on the main line, plus one on a branch, and the whole of the Birmingham Canal Navigations has also just one small two lock pair. Not so on the Leeds and Liverpool though, where as well as Bingley's famous "Five Rise", and its less famous "Three Rise", there are several other staircases or two or three locks.<br />
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Today alone we worked through three further staircases with three locks, and three more of two locks each. Anywhere else, I would suggest this would be remarkable, but by this stage of the Leeds and Liverpool one gets almost blase about what is coming next!<br />
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Perhaps the most surprising is that whilst most of the staircases of more than two locks have keepers in attendance, one of today's does not. The scope for novices, (or even the experience!), to get in a right muddle is considerable, although at least if you are working through the Field Three Locks you should by then have already done a similar flight under some supervision.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600;"><b>Dowley Gap to Leeds</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 14.6 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks: 20 </span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 527.6, Locks: 286</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-51595525230670631392014-08-09T22:00:00.000+01:002014-08-16T12:36:26.848+01:00The third of our "Seven Wonders of the Waterways" in this trip alone.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice- posted by Cath)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Retrospective post for Saturday 9th August. </span></b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1Ljii2N93J63TrwcbUVs8gOiWXDhDe21spO3ltGZTnEfKe0WL_f_RODYh5gTeCQgPx-o5mnZPILPEP4KB1cWgD9h6xLYzB-SNjCLIL-LE4JPotY3zaUmxeEEiy3_xBN_Qrz29eXXVbg/s1600/CIMG5912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1Ljii2N93J63TrwcbUVs8gOiWXDhDe21spO3ltGZTnEfKe0WL_f_RODYh5gTeCQgPx-o5mnZPILPEP4KB1cWgD9h6xLYzB-SNjCLIL-LE4JPotY3zaUmxeEEiy3_xBN_Qrz29eXXVbg/s1600/CIMG5912.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If David took it, we are probably heading away from a swing bridge!</td></tr>
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Alan was keen to get on to Saltaire; he is increasingly worried about the journey back to Alvecote for the Historic Boat Festival over the bank holiday weekend, and whether we will make it in time. However, one hour in Skipton in the pouring rain wasn't really enough for me. We negotiated that I would go to Morrisons at 8 am, for general supplies, then I could have up to an hour shopping in Skipton before we set off. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZK9q3cgnPf4yV-Lrl8cdmqX3WlPeJqycixUnM0qkp2DRZi7ZZVwmDXKbbEnJfEZzpXGOv6QipELWVqLZgJVSfcRBLvFUOYws25361dk9HHgVJVpHIr-5J5T0ygWTc9W07PS9cyUaoZA/s1600/CIMG5918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZK9q3cgnPf4yV-Lrl8cdmqX3WlPeJqycixUnM0qkp2DRZi7ZZVwmDXKbbEnJfEZzpXGOv6QipELWVqLZgJVSfcRBLvFUOYws25361dk9HHgVJVpHIr-5J5T0ygWTc9W07PS9cyUaoZA/s1600/CIMG5918.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More scenery, more clouds.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: black;">As Skipton is on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales it is very well stocked with outdoor shops, some of which were having sales. I did a whistle-stop tour of the shops and bought a few things, including a bright pink pair of extremely comfortable, and very rugged, 'waterproof' sandals. I was somewhat bemused by this description as waterproof to me suggests that you can keep the water out, and these being sandals... well, you get my drift, however, the shop assistants said that they could be used in water: rivers, lakes, the sea, etc.</span> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJwzFjnqnCB7XvU5Amzqo40ijtT1mwjmGhkAeNYsxRg6eg8EgqYx6mjSYQ1nYyH_IxEhboxN4Wge0sDyagEBilvyohoog2IW8z7T16AIlGTq9v-vekY1YgRHATfugmS4r3y1azppGEvY/s1600/IMG_6400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJwzFjnqnCB7XvU5Amzqo40ijtT1mwjmGhkAeNYsxRg6eg8EgqYx6mjSYQ1nYyH_IxEhboxN4Wge0sDyagEBilvyohoog2IW8z7T16AIlGTq9v-vekY1YgRHATfugmS4r3y1azppGEvY/s1600/IMG_6400.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down the Bingley Five Rise</td></tr>
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At the end of the hour we filled with diesel at Pennine Cruisers, and set off towards the very many swing bridges. We were accompanied by a number of the Pennine Cruisers day boats, some of which were zigzagging back and forth across the cut. The Nicholson's Guide said that if we wanted to have a passage through Bingley 'Five Rise' and 'Three Rise' locks, we had to arrive at the top by 3:00. Because of this we just didn't have time to wait for all the day boats to stream through the swing bridges with us, so we waited to be waved through by one of them, and then set off in earnest. David got the bike off and rode off, opening the bridges ahead of us, and shutting them behind, before cycling on to the next one. We were barely slowing for some of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQFvEVEi_sr9U02OtoQhP4hXkqterU6K82D_SuDkelgDi05IJ_YZapmR9QT4-GW7OySAG8G3408-ASwDjpFXMtoQ8sQ8QRaF6qj0QEFLUXxhXeLLVSDtC-XKtybFJtk0YRcYBZiz2cfo/s1600/IMG_6402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQFvEVEi_sr9U02OtoQhP4hXkqterU6K82D_SuDkelgDi05IJ_YZapmR9QT4-GW7OySAG8G3408-ASwDjpFXMtoQ8sQ8QRaF6qj0QEFLUXxhXeLLVSDtC-XKtybFJtk0YRcYBZiz2cfo/s1600/IMG_6402.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And looking up the Five Rise</td></tr>
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We arrived at Bingley Five Rise in good time, about 2:30, and I went to talk to the lock keeper. I was expecting to be told that there would be no problem, but apparently they had been at work since 7:00 am, and hadn't stopped. There was a boat waiting at the bottom of the 'Three Rise' still waiting to come us, and that had to pass through the two flights first. Were we in any kind of hurry?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlkfdq6uqT5X7cG4Fa1TIO8_OOS-2CXZvxkeElxB2x5WRS-nqhs6GE8cVjcaE8c7G1Nf8ctX7nzNt8_OJZ0O-4BtavPMfumsTM3U7csHd5Tq1jl1c0VlJEz2D9hRp8RIW9y148BLnaCM/s1600/DSCF9242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlkfdq6uqT5X7cG4Fa1TIO8_OOS-2CXZvxkeElxB2x5WRS-nqhs6GE8cVjcaE8c7G1Nf8ctX7nzNt8_OJZ0O-4BtavPMfumsTM3U7csHd5Tq1jl1c0VlJEz2D9hRp8RIW9y148BLnaCM/s1600/DSCF9242.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David on the ground paddles at the Five Rise</td></tr>
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I did try to explain that we needed to be back at Tamworth in two weeks time for a historic boat rally, but I doubt he had any concept of what that really meant. He said he'd come and let me know in half an hour, so we filled the water tank at the tap in front of the cafe by the locks. A family was having a meal, and one of the young girls kept saying "why can't we go on the boat, Mummy?" To which Mummy replied, "because it isn't our boat". I tried saying that it is our home, but Mummy asked, "do you live on it then?" I wasn't going to invite them in, we were still trying to catch up tidying up etc after my illness, but I don't see why anyone should have the right to be invited in anyway - they wouldn't invite complete strangers into their houses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpa8H0Zt0KvQoJ1nrB_sHcEaSx8w8hYMYjb7XEFgDThTTL5RHjH7d4Hc8oXgAkXKxG4BwozUbcADocTnzufwhF6I2nRFK2jHrLp4_Fgow9g9544UlTrJI3pSfMDo__Q_akiisHSPl5hA/s1600/DSCF9253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpa8H0Zt0KvQoJ1nrB_sHcEaSx8w8hYMYjb7XEFgDThTTL5RHjH7d4Hc8oXgAkXKxG4BwozUbcADocTnzufwhF6I2nRFK2jHrLp4_Fgow9g9544UlTrJI3pSfMDo__Q_akiisHSPl5hA/s1600/DSCF9253.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep locks, very big gates</td></tr>
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The lock keeper came and said we could go down, so we set off.<br />
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The Bingley Five Rise is famous; considered one of the 'Wonders of the Waterways'. There are other staircases with five chambers - the Foxton Flight has two, one after the other, but those are narrow locks. The 'Five Rise' is five full sized chambers emptying one into the next. From the top you look down on a steep drop, and a view of the Damart factory at the bottom of the 'Three Rise'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSyp1xrVyPZ2ouODFBARzUM6qPW2adteJdIW2gBHjPx8gtWTWloWf7-QRyk2nzQHnbriI-9DKUxDiK5lhE6LBLNjDH_reOeWyhwo2b7DidcbnB4lTANSzqgjeKFd8ZD4zlwGlUNkspOo/s1600/DSCF9260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSyp1xrVyPZ2ouODFBARzUM6qPW2adteJdIW2gBHjPx8gtWTWloWf7-QRyk2nzQHnbriI-9DKUxDiK5lhE6LBLNjDH_reOeWyhwo2b7DidcbnB4lTANSzqgjeKFd8ZD4zlwGlUNkspOo/s1600/DSCF9260.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A less common variant of gate paddle</td></tr>
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With Alan steering, David mirroring the lock keeper down the other side of the locks, and me keeping an eye on Odin we set off. The drops in each lock are about 12 feet, so the gates between each chamber are particularly massive. They are well balanced, but still very heavy to move.<br />
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It didn't take very long to empty the full top chamber into the empty one below, and then on down the rest of the flight, and we headed for the 'Three Rise'. These are less spectacular, although the rise/drop in each lock is still about 10 feet.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdZerPb1Ur9b-xwY9Pl3qy52772DIW1FoxmnEZ8rZzq6P1Q75QGyxTspS_t-PGjFf15pySpb0UDuxKrbExOV-2u-JYbOHHm5gUYLVLiEdVuA5_32N4GUbZ2ocybHE2LwmX6hbuYsWPF4/s1600/DSCF9264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdZerPb1Ur9b-xwY9Pl3qy52772DIW1FoxmnEZ8rZzq6P1Q75QGyxTspS_t-PGjFf15pySpb0UDuxKrbExOV-2u-JYbOHHm5gUYLVLiEdVuA5_32N4GUbZ2ocybHE2LwmX6hbuYsWPF4/s1600/DSCF9264.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending the Three Rise - Smaller, but still impressive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We carried on towards our planned mooring at Saltaire, but suddenly realised that we were passing the 'Fisherman' at Dowley End, which has been recommended to us. We moored up and Alan and I went to check the menu, not one, but 5 different vegetarian options - spoiled for choice.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600;"><b>Skipton to Dowley Gap</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 14.5 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks 8</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 513.0, Locks: 266</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-67546735541637441372014-08-08T22:00:00.000+01:002014-08-16T12:36:04.159+01:00It just keeps getting even more stunning.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice- posted by Cath)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Retrospective post for Friday 8th August </span></b><br />
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I woke up feeling somewhat better, but still couldn't eat very much. I did, however, manage to drink some coffee, which did diminish my caffeine headache.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27ShiYyd_OJjzgFd6tQr9ovI1OpowFhU4b_DjrbLkSAMai0T8wMweREN118PI2TdoJhSh-cOmurIh4yRtwwYlfA-GXcvU7CO1ZqUXsSxw1i1ob1_tuhCT2l2jJjuv45E2_h0CUJ16y34/s1600/IMG_6378.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double Arch Bridge (The clue is in the name).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was keen to start pulling my weight again, so I volunteered to steer for the first section. This was particularly delightful scenery, with the canal weaving around the low hummocky, egg-shaped hills called drumlins (caused by deposition from glaciers during the last ice age). The fields were green, and bisected by dry stone walls and dotted with white sheep. I was sitting on the back of the boat looking at all of scenery and feeling slightly nauseous, but very happy and rather smug. Being a contour canal, it winds back and forth around any hills, including at one point going a mile to travel a distance of maybe half a mile.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7SkUytGm8k0Pm1a043Sz4_v2327em-oUjQZX7jo3Ojuo7DbSjTziL1qAsBiL-GXaUaCGpY9g_JYO36ycLFaDPrL85DnNhDDNkJN0BlP3TbGCkd7Ihi9zsChNlG8q_LfLIgOqyKY2Mag/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple, but effective paddle gear, (if the handle's not snapped off!).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bank Newton is a flight of 6 locks, which suddenly opens onto a vista of the Yorkshire dales - quite stunningly beautiful landscape. Then, shortly after we came up to the locks at Gargrave, which are somewhat more strung out. This is the furthest north that we have ever come by canal, from now on it is south of this point.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0Qj558Aq2LjpLuJW9djKPtdgOJiKP0YtKclstAhL023lbRV5t2QT7npq8sacAu1JefRVUW4ksAuK5Zd_QDCZVS23MapwUD3wzVHWz2FG7G9-Jlq9KgBBcUz3C76T9iBTWf5MmpcyS2w/s1600/IMG_6391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0Qj558Aq2LjpLuJW9djKPtdgOJiKP0YtKclstAhL023lbRV5t2QT7npq8sacAu1JefRVUW4ksAuK5Zd_QDCZVS23MapwUD3wzVHWz2FG7G9-Jlq9KgBBcUz3C76T9iBTWf5MmpcyS2w/s1600/IMG_6391.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gargrave locks, with truly magnificent distant views.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I tried hard to do my bit with the locks, and I found that I had very little strength, but the many turns that these northern locks require was most draining, I didn't seem to have stamina to keep turning for 40 or so turns, both up and down.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqmW-0oJW8RCEAvbgwKsipEIZNGhqwtDE9OSpKLv7Z2CBrj_npFFILlgmndkz47WvSTroscoHRT1iMgBCYHfsRBPNTleUaJT272at2b1zFlKlKusMc5Bp2kfM61d3mJwgCCLPapzzZAY/s1600/IMG_6393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqmW-0oJW8RCEAvbgwKsipEIZNGhqwtDE9OSpKLv7Z2CBrj_npFFILlgmndkz47WvSTroscoHRT1iMgBCYHfsRBPNTleUaJT272at2b1zFlKlKusMc5Bp2kfM61d3mJwgCCLPapzzZAY/s1600/IMG_6393.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sight we have not seen in many years, (except at preservation sites!).</td></tr>
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It was at this point that we began to meet the swing bridges that characterise the western end of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. Nearly all are left closed to boat traffic, and need to be opened, and that operation almost invariably means being on the non-towpath side - making them a nightmare for single-handers, as nowhere is provided to get on or off boats on that side. Nearly all are meant to be left secured, with most using a crude chain lock operated by the so called "handcuff key". Others require the other type of key, (the Yale style "Watermate"). Most don't have barriers, but busy crossings do, mostly required to be hand operated, but occasionally everything is mechanised. You can't be sure what any one will involve, so need to be armed with both types of key, and a windlass just in case.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jKbeuHk3FR9LmpAkwTB92rEbwJUWBRCwUVjtDlAEcz34UderZ2EjgCduV1_stKzeaoStuyqCqv5VcILQBlSjKn3RqpuFudp4EhTkUspOS-TQ__nq4VQmr2U09Z8DaWgj3NJQ69KUVSw/s1600/IMG_9442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jKbeuHk3FR9LmpAkwTB92rEbwJUWBRCwUVjtDlAEcz34UderZ2EjgCduV1_stKzeaoStuyqCqv5VcILQBlSjKn3RqpuFudp4EhTkUspOS-TQ__nq4VQmr2U09Z8DaWgj3NJQ69KUVSw/s1600/IMG_9442.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just perfect, really.</td></tr>
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We had been warned that it might be difficult to moor in Skipton, so we grabbed the very first gap that we could see, just as the rain started.<br />
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I was very keen to spend at least a little time looking around Skipton, but Alan and I got very wet just walking around the town. Then I found Purl and Jane, the knitting and crochet shop.....<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi10-ZgIr_mDYezHQvsOOBM-JKLxh7iRmtmgedbGhTasSFzNiZ8MZce6tKIyzSzSydUVWlmGiXmeeuGjDEM0eFhOqcWHbTlF4AirhlkIpy-cldcCOUxieRwkgpGtKCGLycQ7955MGV7k/s1600/IMG_9451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPi10-ZgIr_mDYezHQvsOOBM-JKLxh7iRmtmgedbGhTasSFzNiZ8MZce6tKIyzSzSydUVWlmGiXmeeuGjDEM0eFhOqcWHbTlF4AirhlkIpy-cldcCOUxieRwkgpGtKCGLycQ7955MGV7k/s1600/IMG_9451.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect, again.</td></tr>
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I've knitted and crochetted since I was a kid, I knitted a lot of practical, hardwearing and easily washed jumpers for the boys about 20-25 years ago, without even being aware of what yarns I was using, and then more recently have done crochet rugs for the boats. Very recently I've started to look into the technology of yarn - I am very much a geek, and I really love to know how things work - I had no idea that so much goes into yarns. I've also started to knit again.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv4flsRH3IAeZTdKuD0TgOezJQa58BabiuwhR0D-CcULoACE-lrrMYzLX1CXntwdd0q4UqBfw1VP6dRrE4gWiMi7X3O2qEaK1QKUYdauAN5A6yWnN_kQnyXvorOkmMWYFffSciUZdy2M/s1600/CIMG5906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv4flsRH3IAeZTdKuD0TgOezJQa58BabiuwhR0D-CcULoACE-lrrMYzLX1CXntwdd0q4UqBfw1VP6dRrE4gWiMi7X3O2qEaK1QKUYdauAN5A6yWnN_kQnyXvorOkmMWYFffSciUZdy2M/s1600/CIMG5906.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alan operates one of the least sophisticated types of swing bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I loved Purl & Jane. Everything in there is made of natural fibres, I just wanted to touch everything, to feel the softness of the wool, alpaca and cashmere, to look at the sheen on the silk/merino blends. No, it wasn't cheap, but then, you wouldn't expect it to be, this yarn was a quality I'd never seen before, not in this quantity.<br />
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A very wet Alan stuck his head around the door and said that he was going back to the boat before he drowned, but we agreed that I would be quick, and that we would meet for coffee in a few minutes.<br />
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I could happily have bought half the shop, but we have little room on the boat, and too much of it is already stuffed with my wool, so I could only get myself a few skeins. Another reason to come back another year.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XUMSsqDM82vvNxQC-ySKAHdAD0E7RBcSR30t6nr0rjAPf3hx2URX325x3iF2EUEooXDbdXAuxpV9DFUJqeltb0-J9jNdqlTfJN6RWb-rP4bH6jv3rXl4nW_C-D0eqvEAkDv4Gfm-xxA/s1600/CIMG5909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XUMSsqDM82vvNxQC-ySKAHdAD0E7RBcSR30t6nr0rjAPf3hx2URX325x3iF2EUEooXDbdXAuxpV9DFUJqeltb0-J9jNdqlTfJN6RWb-rP4bH6jv3rXl4nW_C-D0eqvEAkDv4Gfm-xxA/s1600/CIMG5909.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I think you may have forgotten me"......</td></tr>
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We bought some ready meals from Marks & Spencer, so that I didn't have to do much cooking. Then, after eating, Alan and I decided to go out to try at least one of the pubs recommended by people on Canal World Forum. We went to the Narrowboat in Victoria Street, but I'm afraid that the long day, and still recovering from my bout of sickness, so I couldn't finish the glass of wine that Alan had bought me, and we headed back to the boat.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600;"><b>Greenberfield Bottom Lock to Skipton</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 11.9 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks 12</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 498.5, Locks: 258</span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1274848634500928376.post-68956027349951683902014-08-07T22:00:00.000+01:002014-08-16T12:35:36.894+01:00Transporting a patient, but visitors none-the-less.<b><span style="color: #660000;">(Boat Chalice- posted by Alan)</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #660000;">Retrospective post for Thursday 7th August. </span></b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqmEJG3-n-wwNyfTIdHaNJ3tacvYrzU6yzPsilf6A0XJSd3y3-975JFWxDZAp8WBkcJtMQ3Jf_OiXdxMO9nEuuiVOV_AqpS93oySVjmisw5iT6ZSFxWGKGylmnpuQ61npwtshep5I5_Y/s1600/CIMG5796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqmEJG3-n-wwNyfTIdHaNJ3tacvYrzU6yzPsilf6A0XJSd3y3-975JFWxDZAp8WBkcJtMQ3Jf_OiXdxMO9nEuuiVOV_AqpS93oySVjmisw5iT6ZSFxWGKGylmnpuQ61npwtshep5I5_Y/s1600/CIMG5796.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Gannow tunnel</td></tr>
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As we were finishing our evening meal last night, we settled down to try and go through the various photos we had taken on multiple cameras, with a view to trying to get the blog more up to date. However, not long into that process, Cath complained she really wasn't feeling at all well, and shortly after she disappeared to bed, with a strategically placed bucket beside it. Some time later, after we were all in bed, she was indeed very sick. She made it through most of the night, but was sick again before morning, and the situation was very clearly that she was unlikely to get involved in any of the actual activity of boating for a while.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jFAihGzZ3Nh28hRiiCJGcMRp4hcBFvvWyNXnZBfR9Xwv2HDQ4TgrI0h4TRDsmI_-Wb3_-FbRZLnNsJYCw7rFg3S7pk1jEWKkxLZNGy-haL4HrkxpGBK1RhQPojkxyai9ci6z8YqsDWo/s1600/IMG_6344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jFAihGzZ3Nh28hRiiCJGcMRp4hcBFvvWyNXnZBfR9Xwv2HDQ4TgrI0h4TRDsmI_-Wb3_-FbRZLnNsJYCw7rFg3S7pk1jEWKkxLZNGy-haL4HrkxpGBK1RhQPojkxyai9ci6z8YqsDWo/s1600/IMG_6344.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rejuvenated "Weaver's Triangle" area in Burnley.</td></tr>
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So, whilst trying to keep Cath looked after, David and I set about trying to do what we had planned to do had Cath been OK. Fortunately it was a day without huge numbers of locks involved, so it was mainly about me spending much of the day at the tiller, although lock flights would need to be tackled by just two of us, for a change.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggu4ys5rOQTKOJzDMDw6Q09QUf-G15b_7EwMcf4psLFmIl-YFNnjD1KgHd324TXkNvEInXLobIYRZzEI5hyjNIJoAlQDHRXrUMe9Bb_T7cXlnvFmg8k0W_XpiAMbN3JhGlu47aeKUVAnQ/s1600/IMG_6349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggu4ys5rOQTKOJzDMDw6Q09QUf-G15b_7EwMcf4psLFmIl-YFNnjD1KgHd324TXkNvEInXLobIYRZzEI5hyjNIJoAlQDHRXrUMe9Bb_T7cXlnvFmg8k0W_XpiAMbN3JhGlu47aeKUVAnQ/s1600/IMG_6349.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out over Burnley from the massive embankment.</td></tr>
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Yesterday we had travelled through Blackburn, and today's big conurbation was to be Burnley, and its environs. Unlike Blackburn, Burnley has no locks within the town itself., but we had been contacted by long term Canal World Forum member "Janet S", who works very close to the famous Burnley embankment, and was keen to meet us if she could slip away from work. (In fact she had tried to get the day off, but it had not been possible). So I tried to stay in touch with Janet by Internet and by text, and it looked like we were good to meet, (she had been warned about Cath!).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98UIp7PKcs_ZLbI9XT8tFqb__xoHlB9QeeDfoSE94cTY6Fabic9oR5o9YiO_AXTsTsFN7VWoy_FyRfoYAkc_-W8wsScopO_6aH7bHP02oZL8zBTR5kV7Urv8soGKHhgYU92Y_6Fo0UC4/s1600/IMG_6352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98UIp7PKcs_ZLbI9XT8tFqb__xoHlB9QeeDfoSE94cTY6Fabic9oR5o9YiO_AXTsTsFN7VWoy_FyRfoYAkc_-W8wsScopO_6aH7bHP02oZL8zBTR5kV7Urv8soGKHhgYU92Y_6Fo0UC4/s1600/IMG_6352.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical street, end on to the canal, and below it.</td></tr>
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Before you get to Burnley though, you get a relatively short tunnel at Gannow. Having been told it was a "go in if clear" one, I was surprised to see the signs at the tunnel mouth say it was "2 way working". As we were well through, two boats approached the other end, and looked set to come in. I imagine you can pass, if all narrow boats, because the tunnel is built for 14 foot wide barges, but I wasn't sorry when they decided to pull back, and wait until we were out. If you are going in with something coming the other way, you would need to be confident it is no more than 7 foot wide.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQNt_gI8AVaJsPtqEpefn6hNqRJFp1cwsEytXNy9fMgmGN1kw0W_HQGuUSFMtXfiwH3ndPyI6LSCrSyrwZX9ytPLWxHP-KzkiI0H8b4vik5jFUbYVUIlizyiFh3IKiv7g4RUU6Bs_tVo/s1600/CIMG5818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQNt_gI8AVaJsPtqEpefn6hNqRJFp1cwsEytXNy9fMgmGN1kw0W_HQGuUSFMtXfiwH3ndPyI6LSCrSyrwZX9ytPLWxHP-KzkiI0H8b4vik5jFUbYVUIlizyiFh3IKiv7g4RUU6Bs_tVo/s1600/CIMG5818.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Severely low pound at the start of Barrowford locks</td></tr>
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We were a bit early for meeting Janet in her lunch hour, so pulled over for a while before Burnley embankment until she could join us. Being a local to the area, and having done hand-overs at a local hire boat firm, Janet provided us with a lot of useful knowledge about this part of the Leeds and Liverpool. It was good to meet, albeit briefly, and, if you are reading this Janet, I hope Cath didn't manage to infect you with anything, (David and I thankfully avoided catching whatever it was).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuk6Izx9fVv2nEl-8ANSuCCOayv9tp8UfrEHxznTY-AkrNfHDFaeT0IyuQZL4qCUMI-ce1z8bfsN7HLFXK2WXgPBtubbbt-51rEgMAUKYN0NvWfFY5P9eO2rqmJT7nAPAtiLiBVx2XNU/s1600/IMG_6358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuk6Izx9fVv2nEl-8ANSuCCOayv9tp8UfrEHxznTY-AkrNfHDFaeT0IyuQZL4qCUMI-ce1z8bfsN7HLFXK2WXgPBtubbbt-51rEgMAUKYN0NvWfFY5P9eO2rqmJT7nAPAtiLiBVx2XNU/s1600/IMG_6358.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Low pounds mean it is even further down to the boat in the lock.</td></tr>
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Burnley embankment is one of Robert Aickman's original "seven wonders of the waterways", although more recent versions of this seem to sideline it and replace it with the Falkirk wheel, which of course is a modern "wonder", aqnd might not have been to Aickman's taste, had it existed then. It is indeed a massive piece of engineering, being dead straight, towering 60 feet above its surroundings, and incorporating an aqueduct, but like so many such things, attempts to picture all this from the top fail miserably.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN4sBkX_pGyluT-QM29J4sXXfrgRrPrN-LMExoeu4esve1eroQ-lX_cvApnUZzfhvGPhocq1qNcj-14rr6rSeHPkbpa0QcGpg69ehqID_s-iDYsQOJnrj9soqDeohjknyoKlJdoWYjrM/s1600/CIMG5846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN4sBkX_pGyluT-QM29J4sXXfrgRrPrN-LMExoeu4esve1eroQ-lX_cvApnUZzfhvGPhocq1qNcj-14rr6rSeHPkbpa0QcGpg69ehqID_s-iDYsQOJnrj9soqDeohjknyoKlJdoWYjrM/s1600/CIMG5846.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reservoir at Barrowford doesn't seem a very large one.</td></tr>
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Shortly after 7 locks at Barrowford proved quite hard work, despite sharing all but one with another boat that only turned up after we had done the first. These are deep locks, like so many on the L&L, but if a pound below one is badly down in level, as some were, the actual depth of the lock gets further increased by that deficit. I am very grateful that Chalice is only 50 feet long - short enough to avoid the waterfalls from leaking gates and paddles that cause steerers of longer boats a lot of problems. 50 feet is good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYw9aaFA8lwwxcZbMRxcZQyM3BqD8CaZoX3ZPE4AeUtX3OIUoInmAo7dUYQ_uOWnMZ09jXhEKTf1h46DlY7-tj5OfM44vVIi8YLkCjPoRQUoln_k5xUw5YPu8hd-2kb5naW8vYhqZetHQ/s1600/CIMG5854.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYw9aaFA8lwwxcZbMRxcZQyM3BqD8CaZoX3ZPE4AeUtX3OIUoInmAo7dUYQ_uOWnMZ09jXhEKTf1h46DlY7-tj5OfM44vVIi8YLkCjPoRQUoln_k5xUw5YPu8hd-2kb5naW8vYhqZetHQ/s1600/CIMG5854.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only a very short wait, and we have green lights at Foulridge tunnel</td></tr>
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After these locks you quickly reach the much longer Foulridge Tunnel, (which we are told is actually said more like "Foolridge"). This is definitely one way only, timed operation, with entry controlled by red and green lights. Potentially if you arrive at the wrong time you could have to wait up to 50 minutes for "green", but we got lucky, and only waited about 3 minutes before going in. Although you are warned about changes of height, it is all generous enough, and nothing dramatic happens. Apparently the three air shafts more or less mark one quarter, one half, and three quarters of the way through, so knowing how far you have gone is easy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiERwW0BYh2UcHLUqT9k1h0EpxNDwQsVI71LFDqrWB4qEiOgBxn-vepVf2FAGjBo9BZ-lcQzISldqWFOh8R7Rr_fJTJ5FFNAbm-G8mOsTt0R9MmhL0jm7rYXFMjF3AUdhEaEp2IebimHs/s1600/CIMG5863.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiERwW0BYh2UcHLUqT9k1h0EpxNDwQsVI71LFDqrWB4qEiOgBxn-vepVf2FAGjBo9BZ-lcQzISldqWFOh8R7Rr_fJTJ5FFNAbm-G8mOsTt0R9MmhL0jm7rYXFMjF3AUdhEaEp2IebimHs/s1600/CIMG5863.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When not broken this simple ground paddle mechanism is quite effective. </td></tr>
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Since Barrowford Locks we had been on the summit level, but at Greenberfield locks this ends, and you start going downhill again, after all the climbing. It became immediately apparent that with a single narrow boat in these very wide locks that going down is rather easier than going up, because when going up, the boat tends to be thrown about the lock by the strong flows created by the paddles, and you also have to be careful not to flood the front end by opening gate paddles too soon, (and often you are forced to open gate paddles straight into a deep empty lock with a boat in, because none of the ground paddles you would ideally open first actually work).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1ZOVVLX7m2YCN-lHaG8yom9j8G3J7XPuJ_e4c07DLOXT1D30SGsUam45UaV5wEwTpLauVPB1UiRZCvLytQogFSt0ENEPoMX6H_mmG-a68h4lpP0UcSrHLKFtGijvDv2FQPf0CpnPz24/s1600/IMG_6370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1ZOVVLX7m2YCN-lHaG8yom9j8G3J7XPuJ_e4c07DLOXT1D30SGsUam45UaV5wEwTpLauVPB1UiRZCvLytQogFSt0ENEPoMX6H_mmG-a68h4lpP0UcSrHLKFtGijvDv2FQPf0CpnPz24/s1600/IMG_6370.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But this style is overall much more common, (and also often broken!)</td></tr>
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Given that Cath had been ill, we were very happy not only to have made Greenberfield, but also gone down the locks there - this would have been our target had nobody been unwell.<br />
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Shortly after mooring up, someone knocked unexpectedly on the cabin side. It proved to be Mike Clarke and his wife, who had made a point of coming out to find us. Mike is a historian of these northern canals, and the author of specialist books on the topic. He is a mine of information about the history of the canals, and indeed the area generally, and topics strayed from canals to the geology of the area, a subject of great interest to Cath, who, by now, although by no means fully recovered, was starting to be on the mend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjBQastpkknW4EINtd9VLcj-DqZgqDZDIs0GgbdolXCC9yG2L2FC-6moBBJV7kCqdy9J0hi5r57JOmSjxnJKfmWz29WQ9KpjkqTZfOypSmnJfix3rw_BET2n8wO54dWsQTWFeliMaeTI/s1600/IMG_6375.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjBQastpkknW4EINtd9VLcj-DqZgqDZDIs0GgbdolXCC9yG2L2FC-6moBBJV7kCqdy9J0hi5r57JOmSjxnJKfmWz29WQ9KpjkqTZfOypSmnJfix3rw_BET2n8wO54dWsQTWFeliMaeTI/s1600/IMG_6375.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moored in stunning surroundings at Greenberfield</td></tr>
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We are deeply touched that people are following the progress of three people from the South who have brought a not particularly interesting boat onto these waterways, and are actually coming to find us to say hello. Perhaps this backs up the idea of the friendliness of people up here, versus the often more insular way people behave down where Chalice spends much of her time. We like it up here.<br />
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<span style="color: #006600;"><b>Near Hapton to Greenberfield Bottom Lock</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Miles: 19.8 (Chalice), 0 (Sickle), Locks 10</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;">Total Miles: 486.6, Locks: 246</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">(My thanks to Ray Butler for correcting me on an embarrassing error made in the post as published - now corrected, I hope!)</span><span style="color: #006600; font-weight: bold;"> </span>Alan Fincherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05818658735421434869noreply@blogger.com0