Leeds and Liverpool, Thoughts and questions after a week's hire Options

[Geoffrey Hammond]

I have just spent a week on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. I hired a boat from Barnoldswick and travelled a few days East and a few days West. The trip was excellent, if not always easy and it raised these points.

First, the company I hired from was outstanding - Canal Boat Escapes. Not only because they had interesting boats for hire - I was at last able to steer a Doug Moore boat - but more because of their absolute concern that I had a good holiday. The boat was thoughtfully equipped - never before had I encountered a towelling dressing gown and slippers, never before had I been rung to check that I was happy with my journey from home to boat yard. A small company with a big understanding of how to make someone feel valued.

Second, it was an utter joy to encounter unstinting friendliness and help from everyone on the canal. Help from charming lock-keepers who made the passage to Gargrave faster and easier; help from everyboat I spent time with. Twice I was taken under the wing of more experienced boaters and guided through locks and to good moorings and to wise choices of where to eat and drink.

Third, I could not work out how to work the locks safely on my own. I had intended to enter each lock - when going uphill - by hauling the boat in, but this was made nigh impossible by footbridges at he bottom of each lock. When I resorted to entering the lock in the boat and climbing the ladder, I found that the rungs were so close to the lock wall as to make the climb unnerving. In the end, I resorted always to waiting for another boat. And that meant some jolly long pauses.

Finally, I was dismayed by what I was told was going on at the top of Greenberfield Locks. I was told that the lock-keeper had been forced out of his house so that it could be sold and developed and that the new owner did not want boats outside his house. Indeed there were official looking 1 hour only notices posted along the tow path near the lock. Later I was told by the same boater that a single-hander waiting to join another had been asked by the owner to move on and use the lock on hs own rather than wait outside his house. Can this really be true?

All in all, it was a cracking trip: a new favourite section - that from East Marton to Bank Newton - and a new source for excellent bacon baps - the top lock kiosk at Barrowford.

[LoneWolf]

I have just spent a week on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. I hired a boat from Barnoldswick and travelled a few days East and a few days West. The trip was excellent, if not always easy and it raised these points.

First, the company I hired from was outstanding - Canal Boat Escapes. Not only because they had interesting boats for hire - I was at last able to steer a Doug Moore boat - but more because of their absolute concern that I had a good holiday. The boat was thoughtfully equipped - never before had I encountered a towelling dressing gown and slippers, never before had I been rung to check that I was happy with my journey from home to boat yard. A small company with a big understanding of how to make someone feel valued.

Second, it was an utter joy to encounter unstinting friendliness and help from everyone on the canal. Help from charming lock-keepers who made the passage to Gargrave faster and easier; help from everyboat I spent time with. Twice I was taken under the wing of more experienced boaters and guided through locks and to good moorings and to wise choices of where to eat and drink.

Third, I could not work out how to work the locks safely on my own. I had intended to enter each lock - when going uphill - by hauling the boat in, but this was made nigh impossible by footbridges at he bottom of each lock. When I resorted to entering the lock in the boat and climbing the ladder, I found that the rungs were so close to the lock wall as to make the climb unnerving. In the end, I resorted always to waiting for another boat. And that meant some jolly long pauses.

Finally, I was dismayed by what I was told was going on at the top of Greenberfield Locks. I was told that the lock-keeper had been forced out of his house so that it could be sold and developed and that the new owner did not want boats outside his house. Indeed there were official looking 1 hour only notices posted along the tow path near the lock. Later I was told by the same boater that a single-hander waiting to join another had been asked by the owner to move on and use the lock on hs own rather than wait outside his house. Can this really be true?

All in all, it was a cracking trip: a new favourite section - that from East Marton to Bank Newton - and a new source for excellent bacon baps - the top lock kiosk at Barrowford.

Glad you had a good time. Very adventurous hiring on your own.


Do you have very big feet or were you wearing pointy shoes? ;-)

tbh that sounds like an exaggeration. Anyway if you're waiting for another boat the lock landing's a better place to wait.
When i moored there it was full between the bridge & lock and everyone was hanging around outside & chatting and no stropy house owner was seen

[mayalld]

tbh that sounds like an exaggeration. Anyway if you're waiting for another boat the lock landing's a better place to wait.
When i moored there it was full between the bridge & lock and everyone was hanging around outside & chatting and no stropy house owner was seen

It isn't the first report that has been posted about this householder and his unauthorised signs.

[MartinClark]

Finally, I was dismayed by what I was told was going on at the top of Greenberfield Locks. I was told that the lock-keeper had been forced out of his house so that it could be sold and developed and that the new owner did not want boats outside his house. Indeed there were official looking 1 hour only notices posted along the tow path near the lock. Later I was told by the same boater that a single-hander waiting to join another had been asked by the owner to move on and use the lock on hs own rather than wait outside his house. Can this really be true?

You might like to take a read of this earlier discussion about the same topic:
http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php...st&p=421691

Basically, you should tell the house owner that what you do on the canal is nothing to do with him and that he has no authority to ask you to do anything. You can moor there as long as you like - the notice is not official.

If the new owner doesn't like boats outside his house he should have noticed that it was next to a canal before he bought it!

[catweasel]

I think a weekend banter is called for at Greenberfield.
This guy is an idiot.

[LoneWolf]

It isn't the first report that has been posted about this householder and his unauthorised signs.

I remember the earlier thread, about a trader asked by the lockie (who's boss told him the house owner complained) to move on.

I dont think you could even count this as the second report either as it's only a report of a rumour.

[catweasel]

I remember the earlier thread, about a trader asked by the lockie (who's boss told him the house owner complained) to move on.

I dont think you could even count this as the second report either as it's only a report of a rumour.

It is true that there are unofficial one hour signs, I probably have a photo somewhere. We asked the lockie about them, and he said something to the effect that if we tied up near the sluice (ie away from the house) that we "wouldn't get any hassle." Make of that what you will.

[LoneWolf]

It is true that there are unofficial one hour signs, I probably have a photo somewhere. We asked the lockie about them, and he said something to the effect that if we tied up near the sluice (ie away from the house) that we "wouldn't get any hassle." Make of that what you will.

I remember your pictures, jolly nice they were too.

Here's when I was there




I agree that he has no right to ask boaters to move & shouldn't have put up a sign. I just think that this report sounds exaggerated and probably not true.

Edited to say: 'near the sluice (ie away from the house)' is the waterpoint

This post has been edited by LoneWolf: Oct 30 2009, 11:27 PM

[NB No Deadlines]

Basically, you should tell the house owner that what you do on the canal is nothing to do with him and that he has no authority to ask you to do anything. You can moor there as long as you like - the notice is not official.

Nothing else needs to be said, summed up nicely here....

[NB No Deadlines]

It isn't the first report that has been posted about this householder and his unauthorised signs.

Begs the question why somebody doesn't just remove them, I'll be sorely tempted next time I pass that way.....

[GRPCruiserman]

I think if he'd asked me, then that would have been the cue for the generator to come out for a few hours, just whilst I watched TV you understand, especially if there was a late film on!! How dare he. You dont buy a house next to a canal if you dont like boats!! It's like buying one next to a pub and then complaining about the noise.

My old two stroke outboard was particularly smoky at times, and I'm sure diesel fumes do the same, I'm sure you narrow boaters need hot water, dont you?

The only way to get this guy out is to annoy him as much as possible without actually breaking any by-laws etc.

Perhaps an organised protest against his attitude to be arranged, I'd get my trailer out and join in!! This really annoys me. Can you imagine if a large number of boats congregated outside his house with banners indicating why they were there? He needs some serious intimidation to stop his bullying tactics.

I love it there and have many happy memories of that spot, good showers too. Perhaps we could get an ASBO against him? His signs must be considered litter which must be against some BW byelaw?

BBQ anyone?? Outside the Lock Cottage at Greenberfield??

This post has been edited by GRPCruiserman: Oct 31 2009, 06:39 AM

[CanalWalker]

I have just spent a week on the Leeds and Liverpool canal. I hired a boat from Barnoldswick and travelled a few days East and a few days West. The trip was excellent, if not always easy

Glad you enjoyed it, maybe its just my imagination but the L&L seems to be getting more popular with hire boats. It can be a challenging canal but it is one of the most diverse and interesting.

[catweasel]

I remember your pictures, jolly nice they were too.

Here's when I was there




I agree that he has no right to ask boaters to move & shouldn't have put up a sign. I just think that this report sounds exaggerated and probably not true.

Edited to say: 'near the sluice (ie away from the house)' is the waterpoint

See what you mean.We were the other side of the sluice nearest the bridge. We stayed there without probs. for about two nights I think. The enbankment is steep and a plank is favourite, but a brilliant place to stay. One of our favourite spots.

[Mac of Cygnet]

I must say I'm not in agreement with the confrontational, even aggressive attitudes taken by a few on this thread and the other. Two wrongs, etc... A polite, even friendly explanation of why you aren't moving will do the reputation of boaters no harm at all, whereas running gennies, noise, and general provocation may well cause other householders in the area to have a less friendly attitude (and also, as has been pointed out, cause hassle for long-suffering BW staff.

Mac

[catweasel]

I must say I'm not in agreement with the confrontational, even aggressive attitudes taken by a few on this thread and the other. Two wrongs, etc... A polite, even friendly explanation of why you aren't moving will do the reputation of boaters no harm at all, whereas running gennies, noise, and general provocation may well cause other householders in the area to have a less friendly attitude (and also, as has been pointed out, cause hassle for long-suffering BW staff.

Mac

I'm not TBH, but have noticed over the last few years more and more of this unofficial "no mooring here" nonsense. BW generally butt suck to the general public BTW and care not about the boaters. Where will it end? We had some old dear asking us at Christleton whether we would be mooring outside her home (towpath side). Her attitude was not good. I have tried the Mr Nice Guy with some of these people, but it doesn't often work. Problem is they think we are some kind of second rate citizen because we live/holiday on canal boats.