Alanji

Enjoy dean - don't worry about what he shich's on

Thanks Allan. I'll be coming from Braunston and was wondering where to head for. I had thought of the 14 day below bridge 12 (thanks Arphamoe) to start then maybe back to the 48 hour but if I do that it looks like I will have to go down the whole flight and back up again.

Aim to get there as soon as the rain stops! Where is it possible to wind a 54' boat going down the GU? No problem with breasting up.

I think you have to play it by ear. As a single hander any help is welcome but I usually do some of the work, even if they suggest I stay on board. If they have two crew off the boat I stay onboard - after offering to help. If only one crew on other boat, going down I close top paddle (my side at least), if open, then open bottom paddle my side, before going back onboard. If they want to open both bottom gates, I suggest opening one gate on their side (preferably landing side) and they can go out first, leaving their crew to shut the gate. Going up, I start to get on the roof, windlass in hand. Usually they will say stay on boat, so I wait until I can step off roof or stern, close paddle my side. If I go out first go on to get next lock ready. If they go out first I suggest crew gets back on and I will shut the gate behind me. If they want to do it a different way I go along, even if it is obviously slower - I am never in a hurry. I have shared with a few boats where it would have been much quicker on my own.

Oh dear, I had better make removing the outside tap I fitted as a top priority!

I've been missed off the Tawny breakfast list - and after offering to help too! Crying smiley - they aren't working for me.

I will be eating and would like to choose on day but will decide early if necessary. I am planning to get there early anyway so as I can get on the water-point before Matty. Happy to contribute £4 for breakfast if not too early and help in any way I can. Does the pub do breakfasts?

Although I am on the move all the time and signal strength varies I have definitely noticed a deterioration in the last couple of months. I also have a 3 dongle which I can put outside when the signal is not so good but it seems to make little difference to speed.

Excellent news - shaping up nicely

Nicholsons info is often hopeless (2013 editions). eg Montgomery PO closed 5 years ago; shop closed 10 years ago and a boatyard that has never been there in living memory! I wouldn't be without though. ecanalmapps are currently being updated and due for release this month (free - at the moment anyway)

I have one of those - the dog. Trouble is he decides when to put in gear and whether to go forward or astern!

I hate Taybrite - started with that as it was all I could get - lots of ash, lots of clinker blocking the grate and difficult to keep in overnight. I bought another bag last week as it was all that was available - same result. The only other I have tried is Excel which performs very well. Will have to look out for the new one Matty mentioned. Obviously depends on stove, as well - mine is a small, cheap 4kw ETA and Taybrite gives off horrible fumes.

I appreciate that Alan but if there is a shortage of boats to clear trees etc surely some of the CRT boats could be used during the periods they are not being used. I freely admit I know nothing of how CRT/the contractor schedule their work programme but it does seem a simple exercise in logistics.

From what I have seen on my 750 miles on the Northern waterways this year there are plenty of CRT boats lying unused around the system!

Going down, close paddles get back on boat, motor out, rope round one gate and use boat's momentum to shut. Boat comes to standstill, close second gate with boat pole (possible in almost all cases). Thanks to Eddie from Chesterfield Canal Trust for latter tip. Which also answers your second question. I did Atherstone 11, going up, in 2 hours yesterday but all locks, bar one, in my favour and several boats coming down left gates open. Also had volunteer lockies operating top 4 - many thanks.

Not encountered it yet but I would leave the bridge open. The only way to let the other boat through would be to moor up past the bridge - then how do you close it? If the other boat is not single handed they can let someone off onto the open bridge. ETA re Doghouse reply - if singlehanded your bows will be tied to the bridge - how does the other boat get through? I am assuming you cannot tie up to the offside.

Change of plans meant we did not eat in Polesworth (sarnies on boat instead) but thanks for the replies.

Hoping to meet friends in Polesworth for lunch today. Nicholsons shows 3 pubs. Any recommendations?

An expectation is an upset waiting to happen.

Thanks Tony. It is a PRM150. No apparent slack in the cable. I spoke to Matty40S this morning who suggested I check the gearbox oil level. It was a bit low so I topped up. No problems today.

Why not just wire in a 3 pin plug, that is what I did. Available on Ebay. Unless you want to keep the cig lighter option.

Last night I nosed the boat into a narrow lock. Slowed by selecting reverse, then engaged forward tickover against the gates. Went to open gates and returned to find the boat had reversed itself into the far bank. Managed to retrieve it and tried forward again - kept going back. Gear selector cable I thought. As it was getting dark I moored up and had a look this morning - forward engaging fine (and astern). Any ideas why?

I have operated swing bridges on my own. However on my journey from Skipton to Leeds I did not have to do one bridge (out of 29) on my own - wait for another boat, walkers, gongoozlers, fishermen and even a cyclist! And not one refusal of help - kids love it.