Dave123

There isn't even a sign explaining what to do at the lock so someone that hasn't read the online stoppage notice could come through and cause havoc. And the canal is only going to get busier as Easter approaches

They have at least revised the ridiculously long stoppage for fairly minor work at Goring and that lock is now opening start of April instead of 21st

Been some updates about this. Reading between the lines of the email it seems they have had too many boats coming through and winding to go back up. Why this is an issue but traffic going to or from the Thames isn't I'm not sure? When I phoned to book the manager of the contractors called back to give instructions and just said to go slowly using just 1 paddle but that I could do it when I wanted. They didn't need to know the exact time. I'm surprised, given how close the dam is to the locks, that they don't want to supervise and aren't padlocking them outside of hours. They are keen enough to do this elsewhere for water supply reasons etc...

Had a walk down there the other day and they have lowered the level in the junction pound. Presumably they don't want the lock emptied rapidly and sending a wave down to the dam? There were no staff or padlocks or signs to say the locks at the junction needed booking however. It isnt in the stoppages anymore either (the stoppage notice for bridge 223 is updated but doesnt mention booking Dukes cut anymore)... On another note, does anyone know why they are making all the lift bridge on the south oxford hydraulic?

Think I've sorted a fairly secure mooring ready for the storm, armco, a decent hedge and hill to the windward side so not too exposed, but no trees. Wondering what wind speed will shatter standard narrowboat single glazing?😅🤦‍♂️

Oh right...Will keep an eye on junk email. Thanks

And I expected this thread to be about the closure of Marple services/bins😂😅. Turned out to be much more entertaining.

I wonder if this breach had to be given higher priority as it was on a river not a canal? Possibility it could have impacted management of flood water if not repaired?

I've never had a diesel stove, always solid fuel. Judging by the steady trickle of Facebook posts on the subject over the years, it seems diesel stoves are a bit more prone to issues and breakdowns plus I just don't like the idea of relying on fuel hidden out of sight in a tank for heating. Bags of coal and wood are so much simpler and easier to source and carry.

Apparently this is actually going to be open before xmas. Quite surprised and fair play to CRT

No experience of the Rochdale yet (outside of the Rochdale 9 in manchester) but another vote for Droylesden, its totally secure/locked but might be full up this time of year of course. Otherwise even the bottom of Marple locks would be ok, some nice armco the manchester side of the opened out tunnel (rose hill I think?) or anywhere at the top of them.

Gas fired central heating on a hire boat sounds unusual! It's normally a diesel system or even better - some hire boats have stoves.

Thanks for that, prices not up on the CRT website but will try just selecting it on the online licence renewal page. Now just need to hope for a dry(ish) spring to be able to get on the river soon

I think by the 1930s widening electric back pumping was available so presumably water wastage wasn't such a concern.

Granary wharf is the only nice place likely to have space in Leeds. The river pontoon by the services was pretty battered by the floods and hadn't been fixed (in June at least). Only 2 boat spaces in Clarence dock and they are always full. Granary wharf is nice and hardly any extra journey from the Armoury/Clarence dock. Leave lines loose when away though, as despite the back pump levels can drop a bit. Apparently people do sometimes overnight at Kirkstall, seen one of the hire companies (and hotel boat I think) post about this but they were probably not leaving boats unattended. The brewery there is fab and I really considered it but had teamed up with another local boat and they wanted to push on to Rodley, which is the standard thing to do.

Ah right, thanks. I changed back to a standard CRT licence this year as I was mostly up north but it's the same start date as a gold so I guess I'll just wait a bit longer. Glad to hear they are still offering it. Obviously also emailed CRT about this but as I expected, got a faster and probably more informative response on CWF😁

Oh right! They only have a month left or people won't have a licence?😅 happy to pay more

Trying to get a gold licence for next year. Notice that neither EA or CRT have the price list up yet nor will the online system let me buy one. Did I miss the discontinuation of gold licences in the EA licence change consultation?

I think there were 5 that still opened the old way, Chisnell, Shipton, Drinkwaters, Wolvercote and St Edwards? It is being replaced and will be hydraulic now (the correct term that I should have used)😂. Will actually make more effort for single handers and crew as it can't be left raised and will be slower to open and close.🤷‍♂️

Just occurred to me that from this winter I believe all of the lift bridges on the South Oxford that aren't permanently locked in the raised position, will be mechanical (either with a windlass or electronic buttons). I.e. you won't just push them up or down anymore. I haven't read any discussion on this anywhere. I cannot make up my mind if this is for the better or worse. It means some that are almost always left raised will presumably always be lowered, so a bit more effort, but I have wondered how much of a safety issue they are when raised without a mechanism. Some do wobble a bit in high winds and Shipton can be a pain to get it to stay up if it's been wet and there aren't crew to sit on it... And also is it lost "heritage" in that they will no longer open and lower using the original simple balance mechanism?

CRT have patched up a few holes in the towpath around Aynho but a lot of it is still very poor. Does reduce cycling at least😂. I have also reported 3 seperate streams flowing from holes in the canal wall at points around Somerton/Heyfords🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Facebook might be a better place to advertise this,boat moving seems to be a growing industry there!

Apparently they dropped the level of the whole pound to fit through the previous low bridge! Possibly they tried the same here and have gone aground as a consequence? They look to be at a slight slant?😂🤦‍♂️

Probably explains why reading is so unwelcoming to boats and bats😅

The K&A fb group will let anyone in I'm pretty sure. It's a pretty nice group although sometimes members need reminding the K&A goes further east than Devizes, posts about rivers are always assumed to be the Avon😅. I wouldn't be considering trying to join the K&A from the Thames at the moment, I doubt they will fix the breach until Spring. Breaches usually take months. And I imagine being a river makes it harder? Or perhaps there is increased priority? As this breach must make it hard to control the river levels? I'm pretty sure the Kennet has moveable sluices along it's length as it never seems to rise or fall in response to rain, it only changes its flow rate... Not my photos, lifted from fb