Today's progress was slow. The combination of warm weather, stiff lock paddles and heavy gates did nothing to encourage a long day. The locks on the Calder are very hard work and because of the way we are sharing the work if we travel through 8 locks I have probably done the work for the equivalent of at least 12 locks. It is a pity because the scenery is lovely and I would be enjoying this stretch far more if it wasn't such hard work. I shall be glad when we get onto the Aire where the locks are so big we can all fit in (in a line behind each other if we choose), they are also mechanical locks so either there is a lock keeper or you just insert your BW key, push a couple of buttons and job done.
We stopped briefly at Sainsbury's at Brighouse for butter and flour, Chris has presented me with a huge tub of mincemeat so mince pies are on the menu for elevensies and I don't normally make much pastry. After that we headed down to a mooring above Kirklees Top Lock where the fishing was lousy until Ray caught a crayfish on his line. Chris has a couple of crayfish traps so he dropped them in (baited with dog food) and we soon had a couple of dozen crayfish. This is only about enough for one portion but we figure if we leave them in overnight we might get enough for a crayfish dish for dinner tomorrow.
We are hoping to manage to get almost to the Aire tomorrow and leave these awful locks behind us.
Today's journey 5 miles and 5 locks.
So far we have travelled 296.7 miles, 335 locks, 12 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 9 tunnels.
Friday, 18 June 2010
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Are we on Plan Z yet?
We had planned a reasonably early start today but the fish were biting nicely so we enjoyed the sunshine for a little longer than planned whilst drowning maggots. After both fuelling up it was midday before we left the canal basin at Sowerby Bridge and started off down the Calder and Hebble. I had warned Ray that it was a right turn into the first lock at Salterhebble, he didn't realise that it was a right-angle turn literally into the lock. so he overshot by about ten feet and had to shuffle his way backwards.
We had this theory that we could get both boats into the lock and then swing Merlin across the stern of both boats allowing us all through the lock together. They all fitted into the lock but as the lock gates open inwards it would have been impossible to actually open the lock gates to exit the lock once we were down. So we untied Merlin, hauled her back out of the lock, took the two boats down, refilled the lock and took Merlin down. Merlin does not have a motor, at the exit to the lock there is a small bridge, we had to work out how to pass the ropes under the bridge so we could still control her. A bit of nifty work with me allowing her to drift under the bridge without letting go of the ropes allowed Ray lean over the bridge to hook the front rope with the boat hook. so now we are doing these locks with Ray taking Merlin in beside Morgana and Chris bringing Almyne down alone. We seem to have devised a system that works. The front boat prepares the lock, by which time second boat has arrived. First boat goes down through the lock, heads off to next lock, second boat goes down, I tidy up, dropping paddles and closing gates behind second boat and either ride on second boat or walk to the next lock. This way nobody has to do a lock entirely on their own.
We did have other interesting moments, Almyne ran aground whilst moored betwen the first two locks ( which are only about 30 yards apart) and it took considerable effort with me pulling and Chris pushing to refloat her. Ray managed to get Morgana and Merlin wedged in not one but two lock entrances because the gates would not open fully and at the last lock of the day one gate would not open at all so Ray had to untie Merlin get Morgana into the lock and then pull Merlin in alongside. All this time Ray was struggling with the throttle as "something" had worked loose making the lever position needed for any particular gear variable. If you think in terms of a clock face by the time we stopped neutral was at nine instead of twelve, forwards at six instead of nine and reverse at twelve instead of three. Then, as we were about to moor Ray gave a qiuck blip of reverse to slow us down and forwards would not re-engage. Luckily there was a fellow boater who we threw a rope to and we were safely moored.
By the time we moored for the night we were all totally knackered but "toad in the hole" with roasted onion gravy and a nice bottle of red did much to restore our spirits.
Today's journey 4.5 miles and 7 locks.
So far we have travelled 291.7 miles, 330 locks, 12 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 9 tunnels.
We had this theory that we could get both boats into the lock and then swing Merlin across the stern of both boats allowing us all through the lock together. They all fitted into the lock but as the lock gates open inwards it would have been impossible to actually open the lock gates to exit the lock once we were down. So we untied Merlin, hauled her back out of the lock, took the two boats down, refilled the lock and took Merlin down. Merlin does not have a motor, at the exit to the lock there is a small bridge, we had to work out how to pass the ropes under the bridge so we could still control her. A bit of nifty work with me allowing her to drift under the bridge without letting go of the ropes allowed Ray lean over the bridge to hook the front rope with the boat hook. so now we are doing these locks with Ray taking Merlin in beside Morgana and Chris bringing Almyne down alone. We seem to have devised a system that works. The front boat prepares the lock, by which time second boat has arrived. First boat goes down through the lock, heads off to next lock, second boat goes down, I tidy up, dropping paddles and closing gates behind second boat and either ride on second boat or walk to the next lock. This way nobody has to do a lock entirely on their own.
We did have other interesting moments, Almyne ran aground whilst moored betwen the first two locks ( which are only about 30 yards apart) and it took considerable effort with me pulling and Chris pushing to refloat her. Ray managed to get Morgana and Merlin wedged in not one but two lock entrances because the gates would not open fully and at the last lock of the day one gate would not open at all so Ray had to untie Merlin get Morgana into the lock and then pull Merlin in alongside. All this time Ray was struggling with the throttle as "something" had worked loose making the lever position needed for any particular gear variable. If you think in terms of a clock face by the time we stopped neutral was at nine instead of twelve, forwards at six instead of nine and reverse at twelve instead of three. Then, as we were about to moor Ray gave a qiuck blip of reverse to slow us down and forwards would not re-engage. Luckily there was a fellow boater who we threw a rope to and we were safely moored.
By the time we moored for the night we were all totally knackered but "toad in the hole" with roasted onion gravy and a nice bottle of red did much to restore our spirits.
Today's journey 4.5 miles and 7 locks.
So far we have travelled 291.7 miles, 330 locks, 12 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 9 tunnels.
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
On the move again.
We had a lovely day on Sunday at Nicholas' baptism, he was his usual happy self, even the priest chucking water over him didn't bother him. I was most impressed with the train fare from Hebden Bridge to Leeds, Family Day Rover, less than £9 return for the two of us.
The proud family on Sunday!
Chris arrived back with us yesterday evening so this morning it was all systems go, off to finish the Rochdale. We had spotted a big Tesco at Sowerby Bridge when we came through on the train so the plan was to stop off for essential supplies like beer. All went well except for my usual moan about the lack of water, the canal appeared to be about a foot below the normal level. When we got to Sowerby Bridge there was little chance to moor before the Tuel Lane locks and tunnel but I had a word with Rob, the very friendly lock-keeper and he said we would be OK on the lock moorings for a couple of hours while we shopped and he went for his lunch.
Talking canals with Rob
Tuel Lane lock is the deepest on the inland waterway network, it is also unusual as it has two sets of bottom gates, one pair make it a 60ft lock, the others make it a full length 70ft plus lock. Using it as a short lock except for long boats saves a lot of water.
It doesn't look too bad from here
Going down!
But it's a long way down!
Free at last!
My brother did suggest when I was complaining about too much water on the River Nene that I should get a submarine type vessel, perhaps this is what he had in mind!
We are hoping to fuel up and then get a good day of cruising in tomorrow.
Today's journey 5.6 miles, 8 locks and 2 tunnels.
So far we have travelled 287.2 miles, 323 locks, 12 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 9 tunnels.
Friday, 11 June 2010
Busy doing nothing
We have spent the past week doing not a lot. Kathy, Kaia, Scott and Chris have headed back into Manchester aboard Destiny with Foxy Lady in tow and we are waiting for Chris to get back to us before we head off towards Leeds. Hebden Bridge is nice enough but after a week and a bit there isn't a lot to do. We took a trip into Halifax yesterday, not that exciting but something different to do. The rest of the time it has been the usual round of catching up on the washing and general fiddling.
We experienced our first real act of stupidity last Saturday night (before Kathy etc headed back), some idiot thought it would be fun to pull the pins on Destiny and Almyne and set them adrift. Almyne stayed where she was but Destiny ended up about 300 yards further down the cut. I am understandably reluctant to leave Morgana unattended overnight while we are here. Chris should be back with us by Monday at the latest unless they encounter any problems so I will have to get stocked up ready for our next bit of travelling.
We experienced our first real act of stupidity last Saturday night (before Kathy etc headed back), some idiot thought it would be fun to pull the pins on Destiny and Almyne and set them adrift. Almyne stayed where she was but Destiny ended up about 300 yards further down the cut. I am understandably reluctant to leave Morgana unattended overnight while we are here. Chris should be back with us by Monday at the latest unless they encounter any problems so I will have to get stocked up ready for our next bit of travelling.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Plan A again, revert to plan B and now plan C!
We thought, for a couple of days, that Kathy would be able to join us on the Calder and Hebble and Leeds and Liverpool, the BW chaps we met thought Destiny might fit diagonally in the locks. Then the chap from the boatyard who came out to try a fix Scott's outboard said "no chance" 61 foot is absolute maximum. Ray and Chris got busy with the tape measure, including her fenders Destiny is 64 foot.
So it was back to plan B and us meeting them at Wigan. After much discussion plan C was hatched. Chris is trying to complete the entire canal network so wants to do the bits Kathy can't. Plan C is that we will all stay together until Kathy has to turn back , Chris will then go with Kathy aboard Destiny back to the other side of Manchester, leaving us with Almyne. He is then going to get the train back to wherever we are. Kathy will make her way to Wigan and we will all go via Leeds to Wigan. It should make it quicker and easier for us and Chris has company doing that stretch of the network.
We are having a smashing time here in Hebden Bridge, the weather is being kind to us. Had a lovely visit from Tim, Margaret and Nicholas on Thursday, picnic lunch and a wander round town in glorious sunshine. Everyone thinks Nicholas is very cute, as a proud grandma I agree, of course!
A very early blog today as we aren't going anywhere by boat but Ray is treating me to a meal tonight at the Thai restaurant that overlooks the canal
So it was back to plan B and us meeting them at Wigan. After much discussion plan C was hatched. Chris is trying to complete the entire canal network so wants to do the bits Kathy can't. Plan C is that we will all stay together until Kathy has to turn back , Chris will then go with Kathy aboard Destiny back to the other side of Manchester, leaving us with Almyne. He is then going to get the train back to wherever we are. Kathy will make her way to Wigan and we will all go via Leeds to Wigan. It should make it quicker and easier for us and Chris has company doing that stretch of the network.
We are having a smashing time here in Hebden Bridge, the weather is being kind to us. Had a lovely visit from Tim, Margaret and Nicholas on Thursday, picnic lunch and a wander round town in glorious sunshine. Everyone thinks Nicholas is very cute, as a proud grandma I agree, of course!
A very early blog today as we aren't going anywhere by boat but Ray is treating me to a meal tonight at the Thai restaurant that overlooks the canal
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Sunny Hebden Bridge
We spent Tuesday in Todmorden, only to find it was early closing day. This obviously has a different meaning in Yorkshire, for early closing read not bother to open at all. As there were a couple of shops Kathy and I wanted to visit we decided on a slightly later start so we could shop first. We eventually left Todmorden a bit after midday with Chris, Ray and I in the lead with Kathy and a new travelling companion, David aboard Ngarpi, following us. Ngarpi is apparently Swahili for 'How Much!', well, David is a Yorkshireman.
The journey to Hebden Bridge was, for the Rochdale, relatively uneventful but a bit slow. A hire boat managed to get between us and Kathy so we let them leapfrog us at the lock. Then a moored boat with no one on board had come adrift and was part way across the canal so Chris rescued that and re-moored it. By the time he had done that the others had caught up so we waved them into the lock first.
As the locks are a bit further apart on this stretch Ray was waiting below the locks for me to close the gates so I could ride instead of walking. At one lock Ray stepped ashore and held Morgana on the rope, I stepped on, she drifted out a bit, I asked if he wanted me to bring her in closer, he said " No it's an easy step". No prizes for guessing what happpened next! Ray up to his knees in water, hanging onto the seat at the back of the boat, while I grabbed his arm and hauled him aboard. Good job that the canal is only a couple of feet deep! Apart from a close encounter with a trip boat which was turning round and another boat which tried to pull out between us and Chris the rest of the journey went smoothly. There are good moorings beside the park at Hebden Bridge, Tim had spotted these on Google Maps, an excellent recommendation.
You may remember me mentioning that Ray was towing Almyne Too, the tender for Almyne. Well, Almyne Too is now Merlin, tender to Morgana Le Fey. Chris had been thinking of selling her ever since they bought Scott his little cruiser and we said when we first saw her that we wanted first refusal if he did decide to sell. He and Ray reached a mutually agreeable price and she is now ours. We intend to use her (or should that be him?) as a workshop/ storage area/ spare room. She is only 17 feet long but is fitted out (at the moment) with a bench seat down most of one side and a work bench down most of the other, she even has a little wood burning stove. You can just see her behind Ray in the picture "Waiting for the canal to open" on 20th May.
The Rochdale wasn't going to let us get away with an uneventful day however. We were moored up, sunning ourselves on the towpath when I noticed that Morgana was listing. We were aground, so were the others, the canal appeared to be flowing quite fast, but canals don't flow fast! We assumed that someone had left a paddle up at the next lock below us and it was draining the pound. Chris went to investigate and found a couple, first day out aboard, attempting to fill the lock with one paddle still up on the bottom gates so the water was just flowing straight through the lock. It is the sort of thing all of us have done at some time when a paddle hasn't fully closed but this paddle was all the way up. They knew it, told Chris it wouldn't drop but they thought the lock would fill eventually! Chris rapidly dropped the top paddles and helped them to reverse out of the lock. He phoned BW to tell them about the problem, then one of the local boaters came along who knew the knack for getting the paddle to drop, so BW were phoned back and told it was sorted.
It was barbeque weather so dinner was burgers (interesting Thai Burgers from the butcher in Todmorden) with potato salad eaten at the canalside. Time to tidy up ready for Tim, Margaret and Nicholas visiting tomorrow.
Today's journey 4 miles and 9 locks.
So far we have travelled 281.6 miles, 315 locks, 12 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 7 tunnels.
The journey to Hebden Bridge was, for the Rochdale, relatively uneventful but a bit slow. A hire boat managed to get between us and Kathy so we let them leapfrog us at the lock. Then a moored boat with no one on board had come adrift and was part way across the canal so Chris rescued that and re-moored it. By the time he had done that the others had caught up so we waved them into the lock first.
As the locks are a bit further apart on this stretch Ray was waiting below the locks for me to close the gates so I could ride instead of walking. At one lock Ray stepped ashore and held Morgana on the rope, I stepped on, she drifted out a bit, I asked if he wanted me to bring her in closer, he said " No it's an easy step". No prizes for guessing what happpened next! Ray up to his knees in water, hanging onto the seat at the back of the boat, while I grabbed his arm and hauled him aboard. Good job that the canal is only a couple of feet deep! Apart from a close encounter with a trip boat which was turning round and another boat which tried to pull out between us and Chris the rest of the journey went smoothly. There are good moorings beside the park at Hebden Bridge, Tim had spotted these on Google Maps, an excellent recommendation.
You may remember me mentioning that Ray was towing Almyne Too, the tender for Almyne. Well, Almyne Too is now Merlin, tender to Morgana Le Fey. Chris had been thinking of selling her ever since they bought Scott his little cruiser and we said when we first saw her that we wanted first refusal if he did decide to sell. He and Ray reached a mutually agreeable price and she is now ours. We intend to use her (or should that be him?) as a workshop/ storage area/ spare room. She is only 17 feet long but is fitted out (at the moment) with a bench seat down most of one side and a work bench down most of the other, she even has a little wood burning stove. You can just see her behind Ray in the picture "Waiting for the canal to open" on 20th May.
The Rochdale wasn't going to let us get away with an uneventful day however. We were moored up, sunning ourselves on the towpath when I noticed that Morgana was listing. We were aground, so were the others, the canal appeared to be flowing quite fast, but canals don't flow fast! We assumed that someone had left a paddle up at the next lock below us and it was draining the pound. Chris went to investigate and found a couple, first day out aboard, attempting to fill the lock with one paddle still up on the bottom gates so the water was just flowing straight through the lock. It is the sort of thing all of us have done at some time when a paddle hasn't fully closed but this paddle was all the way up. They knew it, told Chris it wouldn't drop but they thought the lock would fill eventually! Chris rapidly dropped the top paddles and helped them to reverse out of the lock. He phoned BW to tell them about the problem, then one of the local boaters came along who knew the knack for getting the paddle to drop, so BW were phoned back and told it was sorted.
It was barbeque weather so dinner was burgers (interesting Thai Burgers from the butcher in Todmorden) with potato salad eaten at the canalside. Time to tidy up ready for Tim, Margaret and Nicholas visiting tomorrow.
Today's journey 4 miles and 9 locks.
So far we have travelled 281.6 miles, 315 locks, 12 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 7 tunnels.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Toddling to Todmorden
The plan for today was to head down to Walsden and Grandma Pollard's Chippy as recommended by brother Gordon and most other available sources. It is right by the canal and you can moor virtually outside. We had the usual problems of stiff paddle gear with the locks but made fairly good time. If I hadn't known it was a bank holiday and half-term week I would have guessed, we met three hire boats that were going up towards the summit. We made it to Walsden by about one o'clock and decided that we would have fish and chips for lunch and then carry on to Todmorden. The weather forecast for tomorrow isn't very good so getting as much cruising in today as we could seemed like a good idea. The chippy lived up to it's reputation, excellent fish and chips, it also sells cakes so I treated everyone to a cake each. The kids managed to eat theirs but the rest of us saved ours to have with a cuppa later. I don't think any of us had anything much to eat tonight.
Chris and Ray probably had the hardest job between Walsden and Todmorden as they went off together but with no crew so they were having to climb the lock ladders at each lock. Kathy, Kaia, Scott and I brought up the rear, occasionally going forward to lend a hand when we caught up with the other two. We moored up by The Golden Lion in Todmorden, went for a walk, then spent much of the evening playing a card game called Skip-Bo.
Todmorden looks quite interesting, not sure what the weather is going to do tomorrow. We have decided to have a bit of a wander and then if it isn't raining we may carry on a bit further. I must get in the habit of taking my little camera with me, I keep missing photos because my new camera is too bulky and too expensive to risk when I'm working the locks.
Today's journey 3.2 miles and 17 locks.
So far we have travelled 277.6 miles, 306 locks, 12 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 7 tunnels.
Chris and Ray probably had the hardest job between Walsden and Todmorden as they went off together but with no crew so they were having to climb the lock ladders at each lock. Kathy, Kaia, Scott and I brought up the rear, occasionally going forward to lend a hand when we caught up with the other two. We moored up by The Golden Lion in Todmorden, went for a walk, then spent much of the evening playing a card game called Skip-Bo.
Todmorden looks quite interesting, not sure what the weather is going to do tomorrow. We have decided to have a bit of a wander and then if it isn't raining we may carry on a bit further. I must get in the habit of taking my little camera with me, I keep missing photos because my new camera is too bulky and too expensive to risk when I'm working the locks.
Today's journey 3.2 miles and 17 locks.
So far we have travelled 277.6 miles, 306 locks, 12 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 7 tunnels.
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