Neil TNC

Wango Lane so much better than Handcocks or Hancocks or Handcooks, or however CaRT are spelling it today. We are going down later in the year for 2 x 7days (FREE!)...all we have to do is get there....

Yes, we too got rid of the useless Attwood automatic sump box and replaced it with a Gulper. I just switch it on with one of these pull switches, can't be accidentally knocked on, only off!

We have just completed the Huddersfield Narrow. This is our 5th transist. This is the easiest passage ever, there was even enough water to get to Lock 1E (Huddersfield). We missed the CaRT blokes text telling us to wait at Lk3E (as he would let some water down), so we were out early at 14.00. There was a couple of paddles that did not work and all pounds were weiring. We managed to find a floaty mooring each night. Mrs TNC managed all the paddles she did, using our cranked out (to miss the locking gear) Big Bertha windlass. I managed all I did straight up with a medium throw windlass. On the down side, much of the paddle gear on the Yorkshire side would have been easier if it had recently seen grease. There was a fair bit of crap in the water up to Stalybridge and small amount Huddersfield end. Trips down Weedhatch 1, when pulling up in an empty lock.

No, Mrs TNC here all the time now, she does not do that kind of stuff 🤔

Have CaRT replaced this with sign with something easier to read? 😄

When we last stopped at the Camp Hill "Lock in" The shut Services was in a mildly trashed state, with the extra security smashed off the doors. That evening we heard youths in the services, I went in, they scarpered. They legged it out through the outer yard and (with the locked gate) and over a wall. The inner gate had no padlock on, so we put on one of our own. The next morning there were still kids fiddling around in the services block, when we got up they casually left easily getting past the fence spikes, where the fence meets the water.

The cafe was not there in 2003, just a wooden fence. ISTR that this developed into a shed with a serving hatch? I expect I will creep in there later, as bacon banned. Vegetarian Mrs TNC has just found their incredible website, looks like her and the dogs will be catered for

We did Tinsley last year and was a breeze, the easiest ever. Dave has developed a good team of Volockies, the friendly guy (Peter?) we had was so keen, running about, did virtually the lot himself. We bumped into Robbie on the Pocklington, Nauti Lass had been on Melbourne 48hr VM for some while along with another boat. We were warned about this in advance and a kind local boater let us use his leisure mooring.

If they had got up to Uppermill or the summit, they would have made a killing, it has been heaving up here all afternoon, the cafe by Lk31W could hardly cope. There is quite a bit ot money around Saddleworth. I don't want to critise, but social media, vlogs, "influencing" etc is all about hits on your site, controversy adds to this.

Uppermill to Diggle a 2hr non event, here in time for mid morning coffee. Diggle one of my fav lock flights, for deep locks, quick and easy to work...lots of room for that long throw windlass. Fenner reduction box slipping on one of the top paddles of Summit Lk32, could not get my Allen key in to tighten its collar, handy bar on paddle gear frame, so can use thin mooring pin as a lever on the rack. Day off tomorrow, will do washing. Tunnel passage Wednesday, volocky booked for Marsden on Thursday, already texted, will be at Lk42E @ 09.15 on. Booked Volocky, as advice given that CaRT will then definitely unlock Lk42E promptly and my knee playing, so won't be that active. Volocky asked how far we were going, said Slaithwaite that night, for that excellent Indian restaurant. Lock 1E booked Friday afternoon, so early start from Slaithwaite to follow the water down. The three boats we met that have been over the top from Huddersfield have reported no problems, apart from one poor chap, who remodeled one corner of his cabin overhang in the tunnel, CaRT did warn him his boat was on the limit.

We have just ambled up to Uppermill, easiest passage ever. All locks weiring and hardly any leaky top gates. As ever, difficult for single handers as most lock landings very shallow. Trips down weed hatch...nil.

The newer XR&D shells bear little resemblance to the old R&D style, they have changed the proportions of the front deck and well deck to fit with their much better and massive bow shape, some what difference to the rather blunt bow of my old tub. When we contemplated Earnest II with an XR&D shell at 59ft we were left with rather less cabin length. Lee, who built Earnest was quite happy to do what ever we wanted, in the end, at our age it did not stack up, so we pulled the plug on another boat.

Stern end of a later R&D, early XR&D, most of these features applicable to trad or semi trad. Fender stool (optional). scalloped, recessed fuel filler. Rear nav lamp bracket (optional). Square upper rudder bearing. Crappy triangular fabricated hinges. Swan neck with tight angle upper bend. Hinged deck access to weed hatch with bottom shut for rear doors. T stud conversion to rear dollies non standard. Flap in cants with fuel cut off below. Fabricated engine compartment vents. Standard R&D style weed hatch. Earnest was the first R&D semi trad with double skinned rear cockpit, that became standard.

Apparently now "recovering" update tomorrow.

Picture of Cadent's hole, courtesy of Martin Clark, Pennine Waterways. Canal top left. Looks like the old clay feed pipe has not been very well sealed from canal!

Works at 12W -13W delayed. CaRT dropped water in pound as was flooding into Cadent's hole. At this point in the towpath the gas main dips under an old abandoned 9" pipe that used to run to long gone factory. Boater came down unaware, and flooded Cadent's hole again. After boater dispatched by CaRT, they lowered the water again and gas main repairs we due to be finished late this afternoon, with CaRT refilling the longish pound over night. From our local correspondent, who met CaRT bloke.

Yes, we got our 140 quid back, now all we have to do is make the 2 bookings, each side of going on the Lanky, via Caldon, Macc, Peak Forest, Huddersfield Narrow and Leeds and Liverpool. Currently on schedule waiting for Saturday Bosley opening.

Only starting another rumour here, but could it be that Network Rail and CaRT have to go across third party land to get to the trackbed???

HNC Standedge booking now available again.

Been extended for at least until tomorrow, towpath shut as well, sounds ominous. Notice does say pipes in towpath and in canal ( bubbles?!)

I have allowed MRS TNC to put up hers.

Will do, we have Bosley and Marple to contend with first. The HNC Lk 12E-13E gas main inspection stoppage has not come off yet, meant to be update today

There is now a gas main inspection stoppage at 12W -13W. We specifically booked Standedge a month after reopening, the idea being any start up problems would be ironed out and there would still be water.

We saw a hopper going towards Froghall today, caught it on shitty stone Bridge 14 corner! CaRT bloke had said contractors dredger to be put in at Park Lane, Endon services.

Mrs TNC (probably just as well!) has just phoned Yorkshire and NE Waterways CaRT. Genned up operator assured her our 03 May Booking is still on, as it was short term issue to be resolved tomorrow. He said there is a lot of misinformation about at the moment. Meanwhile bookings have been temporary suspended. Network Rail are doing some project work, there is an issue with a landowner, that will resolved tomorrow.....make of that what you will!