Dr Bradley

My gang plank is scaffold and works well. Poles need to be hardwood so bite the bullet and go to a chandler.

I was in the Anchor the other week and was told it was being refurbished prior to new incumbents opening it.

I can wind my 57 ft boat at the services in Tod and I'll be there early next week so probably see you there. I've never had any problems on those visitor mooring. Plenty of room to moor in Hebden at the moment and more next week when I leave. Like Mac of the upper valley towns I much prefer Sowerby Bridge.

I bought an expensive one from Range which I mostly use in the van. Had it a year now and excellent so far. The flat ones seem to readily spring leaks but if it was just for the boat and use ordinary hose as I have more room and am never as far from a tap as I am with the van.

seems to be a lot of forum members on the Rochdale at present. Say hello as you pass me. I'll be in Hebden next week, Littleborough a few weeks later. (I'm not in a hurry).

And you haven't got to the great bits yet. I think you have done it before but must have forgotten. You can go as far as Dewsbury and still be able to commute. See you on the way over.

Surely you need a Risk drive at the Anchor for such an auspicious occasion.

Ditto. I,m still doing it after nearly 8 years. Partly because I didn't like some things and redid them, partly because I ran out of enthusiasm and once the unfinished boat was comfortable I preferred to go cruising. The boat was (still is) full of timber. Nowhere to really store tools, sawdust gets everywhere and simply not enough space - and mines 57 foot and only me on it.. I would not do it again. Shoulfd I try it would be on hardstanding with somewhere else (nearby) to live. No distraction of cruising. More determination to finish and get going.

oops. Don't intend to go to Africa.

That depends on what I buy but Moody 33/34 tops the long list.

If I recall it was a Springer which was shown in the first series. I knew the boat then.. I enjoyed the first episode, particularly because of the farmer woman. But by series two it had decended into soap and the third series seems even worse. More pregnancies than Eastenders. Bring back Happy Valley.

A cruise round Britain in year one, possibly including Scandanavia and the Baltic. Year two in the Medditeranian then as autumn draws on sail south till the butter melts and turn left.

I'll still be on a boat, but I'm going to the rough stuff. I may make banters this year then I'll be too far away.. Sunny climes beckon.

(Possibly) Having spent the summer largely in my home area doing some (re)fitting, I have at last set off elsewhere. It will be slow going as there are plenty of river sections between here and York, then up the Trent. Come spring the boat will be for sale, hence the last cruise.

Oi your usurping mw as king of the breakdowns,

I believe the other ones were on the Huddersfield. The reporter does not appear to know the front from the back of a narrowboat. Tipped forward??

I'm sure Ange would have been very surprised.

You can add me to the list, but I can't get the boat there. I will bring alternative accommodation as last year.

The Rochdale booking system has ended so now only Tuel Lane lock needs to be booked and no restrictions on the numbe3r of boat passages. The Macc and Peak Forest are canals well worth doing and may make the South Pennine ring a better option for you. The Huddersfield and Rochdale canals arer spectacular but difficult with a lot of locks, and have restrictions i.e. 60ft length (see other thread) and about 6'"2 height for Standedge tunnel. As for the Trent, As said Keadby is a sod to get in and also the dullest place on the whole system. In fact I find the trip from the Castleford to Keadby uninspiring. If doing the Trent you should carry an anchor, have navigation lights and vhf is a good idea thou7gh perhaps less so now the gravel barges have stopped. I think you will find ant trip up here in 3 weeks a bit of an effort but well worthy doing if you can manage it.

Backdate it to 5+ years.

I am currently entering the 6th year of my 6 month plan fitting out my boat. Cost is difficult to quantify but I estimate between 40 and 50 thou, for a well equipped 57 foot boat. initially I kept up to date with costs but eventually that fell by the wayside as trips to the shops to buy odd items grew in number - I haven't a clue how much I spent on screws. The shell and engine was 28000 so 12 to 17 thou for everything else. One thing I will never do again is fit out a sailaway whilst living on board and cc'ing. Should I do it, hard standing somewhere and rent a flat.

I managed to get stuck under that this summer, but only due to stuff on the roof so was able to clear it fairly easily (the river was low). I a waiting to go through Standedge and that is the lowest I've done, followed by a very low bridge at slaithwaite. For both I will have to clear the roof completely.

But till can't get over the Pennines until March because of planned winter closures.