haggis

If it is any consolation, it is not just hire boats which have to progress according to when SC want to operate locks and bridges. It happens to those of us who moor up here and I for one find it most infuriating to the extent that the only time we venture onto the F & C is if we are going to an event. Otherwise we stay on the Union where we can stop and start as we wish. Unfortunately, during the consultations prior to the Millennium Link, which saw the opening of the Scottish Lowland canals, it was stipulated by the local authorities when and how the lift bridges were to be operated. If the LAs had had their way, they would never have been opened at all. In the circumstances (the canals having been closed for 40 years) BWS, as it was then, grasped at any straw to get the canals reopened and we all hoped that things would settle down and a more realistic attitude would prevail. Sadly, this hasn't happened and we are left trying to get SC to realise that boaters can actually be trusted to operate locks and bridges. Good grief, the locks on the Crinan (also managed by SC) are actually bigger than the F & C and are boater operated. On the Lowland canals we are fighting against the hire boat operators as they too don't trust boaters to operate locks. There are actually two lift bridges between Auchenstarry and Kirkintilloch and there are limits on when they can be opened (LA Rule). This means that a boat has to be worked through the first one (in any direction) to give enough time for the boat to get to and through the second one before the last permitted opening of the day. I understand too that the emergency services have to be kept informed of all bridge openings so that emergency vehicles are not held up. twechar may be a small rural lift bridge but it carries a lot of road traffic. My advice to anyone hiring up here would be to contact SC as early as possible and arrange for passage through controlled locks and bridges. If SC have advance warning and know your wishes (before you actually get to the boat) they are more likely to have staff in the right place to help you. I don't think they try to be obstructive, but they are bound by some LA rules and they have limited staff. and they need to see the light :-) haggis

I am SO sorry to hear that your trip was spoiled by the attitude of the F & C staff. I always find they are a great bunch of lads and I enjoy the banter, especially after I offer them tea and coffee. I know that SC employ summer casuals and I can only think that the ones you met were in the wrong job. haggis

That's good, George, then you can tell us all tomorrow. A Happy Christmas to all on CWDF, especially those out boating. Lucky sods :-) haggis

Just take your time and enjoy the whole canal. You must go down to Glasson docks and visit both ends. We have never walked to Morecame bay when on the Lancaster but it is tempting as you get a good view of them. haggis

That's odd, no mention of John Sloan and I too thought he was on the ACC council haggis Crossed with Richards post.

I didn't either for several years, Nick :-) Thanks Bazza for the tip about Q10. Got to delay the ageing process! haggis

That's interesting! It is simvastatins I was on. My doc gave me the impression that muscle pain reaction was very rare. Doesn't look like he was right. Haggis

Does anyone else who takes Statins for high cholesterol have muscle pains? I am fairly certain that statins are causing the pain I have in my upper arm/shoulder and on my doctors advice I have stopped taking them for a few weeks. Anyone else have/had similar problems? Just wondering how common it is. haggis

Love the dog! haggis

I had thought of that too, Iain, but then I thought hat the hire company might not give him a boat if he turned up on his own. had a meeting yesterday about a new marina at Winchburgh. Not for a few years but things are heading the right way Haggis

That's such a shame, Bob, that you will miss out on experiencing the Scottish lowland canals because of the short sighted views of Scottish Canals and the hire companies. I will keep arguing for them to see the light but it is an uphill struggle. They, Scottish Canals, would far rather that boats were used as cheap housing and didn't move and inconvenience them haggis

You're right, Nick. SC don't exactly encourage hire boaters to go down to Bowling. It takes them a day to work you down and another to work you back up. Friends of ours did it though on a hire boat. They had the boat for a week and went into Edinburgh, Glasgow and Bowling! They are serious boaters and are happy to do long days when conditions allow. We (in Gamebird) met them on their way back from Edinburgh and we travelled together to Bowling where we went out onto the Clyde to attend the Glasgow River Festival and they returned to Falkirk. I don't know if hire boats ever go down to Grangemouth sea lock but with the Kelpies, I am sure they will want to. The last time we went down, there was only one passage a day up and down so again, it was down one day and back another. For the Helix opening though, I think a lot of boats will be going down so that will change! With gamebird being only 26 feet long we can fit in with lots of other boats :-) haggis

I know, Nick, it is absolutely ridiculous. Almost as bad as saying that boaters are unable to do locks and need SC assistance. The fact that Iain and I regularly do hundreds of locks a week down south, some of them great big locks, makes no difference. I have been fighting for user operation of locks and bridges for 14 years now but I, an others who share my views, are up against the hire companies who do not want their hirers to do locks in case they sink a boat!! and of course, there are boaters up here who have never known anything else and can't see why anyone would want to wok locks. I had something at the back of my mind that the transit licence costs more if you are single handed as SC then need to send out another man to work you through the locks so single handed boating might be possible but I very much doubt if any of the hire boats will allow it. haggis

Bob, I have replied to your other thread. haggis

If you are planning on single handing on the Lowland canals I suggest you speak to your hire company and perhaps Scottish Canals. I gather that they can have a "funny "attitude to single handing as they reckon that you need two people on a boat while they work you through locks and the Wheel. I seem to recall an incident where a chap trailed his own boat up here and after paying his licence etc, found that SC were not happy about him being on his own. He did actually cruise all the Lowland Canals so I don't know if SC changed their attitude or not. Best check first, I think. yes, I agree that it is a stupid rule, if it still exists. haggis