Wisconsin Convert

We've had nothing but friendly conversations on the tow paths and at locks as well as lots of waves and exchanged "good mornings", etc. all along the trip. The Rochdale is very hard work (lots of locks and some hard to work), but the scenery and interesting towns have definitely been worth it. (at Lock 37 waiting to go over the summit in the morning) We thought hard about it, but it was still a bit early for lunch and everyone wanted to press on to the summit lock and go for a hike. It is beautiful up here.

Around to Todmorden this evening. Have only passed 4 canal boats on the Rochdale so far. It has been quiet but what beautiful countryside. Did several river locks together with Roger and Collette who took lots of pictures of us and sent us a link to a slide show that evening. We've had folks tell us of "All pints £2 at the pub past the next bridge" and where to buy best pies "just round the corner, you can't miss it". We've learned how to use a hand spike and that some of the paddle gear on the Rochdale is quite hard to convince to move at all. What we have also seen is friendly people who marvel that people from the states would come to the UK to hire a canal boat and take 8 days to get from Reedley to Todmorden when it only takes a quarter of an hour by car. The fact is, of course, that we would never have met those people sitting outside the White Lion or at the Queen's Inn, if we had come be car. From Ruby near Todmorden.

Started on Friday at Reedley Marina and have had a wonderful time so far. Met a great holiday crew on a hotel wide beam who were being coached through their first lock (Holme Bridge Lock 30, L&L). We talked to lots of hikers and birdwatchers on the tow paths around Skipton. Then today around noon we paired with another boat to come down the Bingley 5 and 3 rise and cruise into Shipley together. They two guys today gave us lots of wonderful advice, told us stories about their many long narrow boat cruises, and made a beautiful sunny day in Yorkshire that much better. On the Ruby in Shipley Chris

That is a beautifully simple solution! Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

Anyone know if Clarence Dock or Granary Wharf are likely to have any visitor moorings open for the Leeds Waterfront Festival June 25th and 26th. My wife and I are going to be coming in then in a hire boat as we do the Northern Pennine Ring. We'd love to see the festival, but have no idea how hard it will be to find a safe/good spot to moor.

I've seen a number of different recommendations for internet access with both T-Mobile and 3 adherents. I tried a Vodaphone dongle on a 4 counties ring trip last October and was not happy with the results. We are off to do the Northern Pennine Ring in mid June and I would like to get an external magnetic base antenna for getting a better signal in the boat. Can anyone recommend such a thing - ideally in combination with a Pay as You Go internet solution? Chris

We did the four counties clockwise from Middlewich last October. We pushed hard for the first 4 days, adding the Leek arm of the Caldon. The second week was very leisurely with lots of time for sightseeing. There are relatively few locks until one gets back up to Adderely and Audlem locks. We did lots of stopping and walking to see old lodges, halls, and small villages. It's a nice mix of rural, lock free travel and a couple of days of one lock after another. I don't see any real advantage of one direction or the other unless you want to make sure an fit in a side trip (many are possible).

Sorry for dropping off line. I appreciate all of the feedback. I thought I would be notified that there were posts on this forum. This sounds very nice. We will be in Leeds for the Waterfront Festival. The train sounds very nice. Our son will be finishing his 11th grade year in Germany and will join us in time to do the Bingley 5 and 3 rise locks and most of the the ring. He has the Science and Imperial War museums on his "to do" list. Another post suggests one of the many Pennine walks. That sounds very nice as well. Yes, indeed. The North Pennine route is what we are planning. A run down to the Peak Forest Canal does sound appealing, but I'm afraid we will be using up too much sightseeing time in the first week to be sure we can get that far and still make back round to Reedley Marina (our base for this trip) in time.

Greetings from the Dairy State (Wisconsin, USA) My wife and I had a wonderful time doing the 4 Counties Ring (with a side trip out the Leek arm of the Caldon) with Andersen Boats out of Middlewich. We did 2 weeks in October and had the most wonderful holiday we had ever experienced. We are now planning our second trip of the year and have booked 3 weeks with Hapton Valley out of Reedley Marina beginning in the middle of June and are looking for advice of places/sights we should not miss. We love long days of cruising, so recommendations that take us far afield for a single day are fine. We've got the guides and have had great detailed advice from Lee at Hapton Valley. I'm interested in the sights and places that show up in a community like this - something off the beaten trail that might only be known well to locals. Thanks in advance.