Dr Bradley

It seems you are all off in different directions at the weekend - why not arrange a proper Northern Banter?

It puts the fire out?

I consider myself fairly adventurous, but this trip smacks of too much too soon, as many people have said. You will get enough fun and adventure on other parts of the system which will prepare you for this trip once you are more experienced. I did the Thames 15 years ago, but even then I was glad to be with someone who knew what they wre doing.

I've had one at home for years, works well but I don't suppose this answers your question - my house is not made of steel.

Once my boat is up and running, I intend to cruise as much of the system as possible, but my itinary will be dictated by arriving by boat at as many festivals as possible. Seems to me good way of planning a route.

I see your point, many of the replies were lesss than helpful. The question of CCing v bridgehoppers is always contentious. Valerine appears to be a genuine continuous cruiser to whom no one could object. Someone else asked on a thread that if they had a mooring, but virtually never used it, could they move around a limited area without contravenong the rules. Personally I see nothing wrong with that. What really seems to get people is ovestaying on limited time moorings and staying in the same area, moving no more than a mile or two every time they are told to move on (i.e. bridge hopping). I can see the point of the objection but it's not my problem. I'll do it my way, which is to have a mooring, but being an effectively CCer. Perhaps I'm wasting my very limited income on paying for a mooring, but it will satisfy me, if anyone complains, let them set the authority on me.

Yes they can be difficult. You may have seen from an other thread that I am contemplating a 60 ft oat, but I have my doubts about single handing that on the Calder and Hebble. Wouldn't want to have to do the Rochdale, L&L etc. just to get from Sowerby Bridge to Dewsbury. Good luck with your trip, it's great scenery - as yet I've only walked it.

Haven't been through for a ew years but it was always an awkward lock. I'm suprised you had so much trouble withthe length as I know 60 footers have used it both ways. Are you in Sowerby Bridge now, or have you returned home? I'd offer a pint but I suspect you won't be here until next weekend, and hopefully I'll be in St Ives.

I've heard others say boating through the centre of Manchester to Castlefields is a fitting finale to this canal. No personal experience since when I last had a boat the canal was closed.

I like wild contry and find man made structures intrude on my pleasure. The single one near Howarth is fine but those above Ogden intrude on the view from all the hills for miles. I don't like pylons stretching accross the moors either, but at least they don't move.

Couldn't agree more. As a young lad, too many years ago to contemplate, many of the villages were semi derelict. I could have bought the whole village of Millbank for a weeks wages from my paper round. It's now highly desirable and up market. The whole Calder Valley has changed so much for the better in the last 40 years. And yes, the canal restoration is a big contribution to that. (But the hills and moors were always great and haven' t changed much - apart for the eyesore of windfarms. Duck - incoming flack expected)

Living at the end of the Calder and Hebble, I think I'll be going for 57' but am tempted to go for 60'. However I have my doubts about single handing 60' through the Salterhebble locks. Anyone want to lend me a 60' boat to experiment with?

I don't think I've ever had a problem with "proffessionals" posting on here. Generally they provide lots of useful information and I am not easily swayed by any advertising they do. So when I have my sailaway I'll by all my chandlrey from Gary, except electronics which will be from Gibbo, it will be painted by craftmaster paints, and when I have engine problems I'll be straight to Tony. Me, influenced, not a chance.

I don't like delibrately insulting people I don't know, but perhaps an exception could be made. This post, and many others by Cugsey are crap. How can anyone make so many posts and add nothing to the forum. (My guess he is the sniper from the Fridaaay thread)