Dr Bradley

The Beer Orders have largely been a disaster, failing to accomplish much of what was intended and accomplishing much which wasn't. They have resulted in many former good pubs closing and many otherwise good tenants facing bankruptcy. The silver lining has been the big increase in small brewers producing a vast new supply of different beers, albeit at much increased cost.

Tillergirl, where are you heading, Rochdale or Ashton canals. (I think it will be Ashton).

Pelsall is in my plans, but you know how well my plans work.

Though it was my intention to set off in February, I've finally managed it. Monday, Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge, was the coldest I've ever been on the boat (having run out of coal didn't help) and I've cruised in some pretty cold weather but the strong wind was cruel. I have a booking for the Ribble Link on the 7th April so I'll have to get a shift on, a few long days. For anyone interested there will be more detail on my website (link below) but by popular request, I'll post here as well.

That is sorted now, thanks Nick. Still have not got away, was going to go today but a van with a flat battery and not realising Shire would be shut today, so not enough fuel, I'll have to try again tomorrow. Still aiming for Thursday on the Rochdale flight - I forsee some hard days ahead. Won't book until I'm sure of when I'll get there. I won't tell I'm solo unlaess asked as I know they don't like it though I've previously soloed both ways

That would be good. I hace the technology if you don't want to carry the laptop.

Rose of Lancaster is about 6 miles from you but it is a 7:00 start. I have to be at lock 85 by 8:30. Then 20 odd locks into Manchester. I hope to do it on Tuesday, if not it will be Thursday but want to avoid that.

Due to canal closures extending late I don't have time to go L&L, which was my intention. I've soloed the 9 a few times and not really a problem. I find the drop into Manchester from the Rose of Lancaster much harder - do you fancy lockwheeling on that. As for still selling books - delete "still" and substitute "yet". What do you mean I create problems - they are laid upon me. or Cancel

The Anchor has plenty of parking but they charge £2 a night. I have parked on the road outside, tucked well into the hedge. At the next bridge south there is a layby near to the bridge where I have parked for weeks without problems. I have had problems at Audlem - boat not car. In urban areas I agree with residential street parking but that dosen't really apply at High Offley. You should e fine in that area. You will find other places to park safely on the Shroppie. I do it every year.

I'll be doing it solo next week.That's good fun.

Being pushed into the offside shrubbery by an oncoming boat, a low branch went under the crossbar on the bike, lifted it, moved it the side and dropped it. I got out the magnet and threw that to where the bike went in but forgot to hold onto the end of the rope. Next I tied a rope to a mooring pin (securing the end) and chucked that in. Up came the bike, complete with attached magnet. The rest of the list includes chimney, hat, phone, bag of coal, coal scuttle etc etc etc.

The van might fit on the towpath.

I had thoughts of getting the boat there followed by a mad dash to Tarleton, but delayed stoppages have made that impossible. My van is currently in the garage awaiting a spare part, but if as promised it is ready in time, I'll be down in that.

This boat was originally comissioned by Dave, the then landlord of the Navigation. He ran it for several years before selling it on to a couple who continued to run it as a restaurant. It's usual route was from Sowerby Bridge to Salterhebble and back though it sometimes went as far as Brighouse or Hebden Bridge. I last saw it operating in 2008/9 (I think) and it couldn't have been earlier as I was on my current boat. By then the engine was seriously unfit for purpose and needed either rebuilding or replacing. The final straw for the owners ocurred when passing through Salterhebble guillotine lock and a large block of wood fell from the top of the gate, hitting and seriously injuring a customer. I don't think it ever operated here again. It was sold and I was told it's destinatioin was London. Magnetman, if you know of it's current whereabouts and circumstances, there are several people here who would be interested to know.

Update on my swim. The phone has sort of recovered except it does not seem to be charging. Of greater effectr at present I have an infection which is painful. On a course of antibiotics but have reacted against them. A bad week now.

Thank you all. I am told that if the phone dosen't recover, Apple will replace it (with a 4 as they've no 3's left,) for £119 which seems a good deal and a lot less than I was expecting to fork out. The coal will stay atthe bottom of the cut, unless Crt will drin the pind for me. I was not suprised at how difficult it was to haul myself back onto the boat. As a trained lifesaver I am aware of, and practsed, techniques for getting self and others out of water. My boat being fairly new has steps on the base plate without which I would probably have had to disrobe in the water to rid myself of the weight of waterlogged clothes. Though getting out on the bank wold be easer than onto the boat, (especially as I'm moored where the bank has collapsed, it has advantages after all ) but the boat was nearer.

It being my birthday I started the celebrations with a swim at 2am. Went to get coal, as I lifted the bag the boat rocked. I put out a foot to steady myself and tripped over the coal scuttle. Me, the coal and the scuttle all tipped into thhe canal. You don't stay on the surface long clutching 25k of coal and I discovered the considerable depth of the canal. Lost the coal and the scuttle but worse was my iphone in my pocket. Currently attempting to dry it out. Otherwise all OK.

It's a patrol officer - I would have ignored a "volunteer". I have moved and will stay moved, but I'm looking forward to getting out of here soon - I hope.

He just said CRT are keen to enforce rules. I believe that even where rules should generally be enforced, there are times they could be relaxed in view of circumstances. There is no way any boats are going to want to fill the 24 hour spaces whilst the closures are on. There is of course the problem that if rules were always relaxed at closures, more people would be likely to take advantage by deliberatly geting stuck behind them. I thought of doing tha but decided reluctantly to move to the poorer moorings.

I suppose I'll have to, it just seems silly. Roll on the reopening. Another interesting quandry is if the way into Sowerby Bridge does not reopen in time I'll have to go the Rochdale route. It reopens at lock 44 (and others ) on the 8th March. On the 10th March Barton Swing Bridge closes for 2 weeks which will involve hanging about for another week or so as I'm booked on the Ribble link early April.

o the west it was planned, to the East an emergency. Initially I was told it was for four days so was not too bothered as I was heading up to the limit to the west before returning. 4 days has now turned into 2 months. Had I known I'd have got through before it happened.

I am currently stuck in Hebden Bridge as the canal has stoppages both ways. I've moved about as much as possible but Hebden is the only place within this 15 mile isolated stretch with easy(ish) access to diesel and coal. For the last 5 days I've been on a 24hr mooring. There is room for 2 or 3 more boats. Now I've been asked to move on, only a hundred yards or so to 14 day moorings which has collapsed banks and lack of rings. I'm told that CRT are stamping down on overstaying which I completely agree with. But a bit of commonsence would be appreciated. Nobody is moving through the area, they can't. There is room for everyone. The day the canal opens in either direction I'll be off. Should I be moved on to overstay elsewhere in these circumsances.