Nick D

If only we could! It's still on red up here at Fairies Hill so could be yet another day before we can move.

Have just looked at the forthcoming itenerary for NB Ellis. We are hoping to cruise the ring down the C&H to Manchester and back along the L&L in four weeks so we will probably see you again maybe around Barnoldswick? Good luck with your new venture!

As long as we can get on to the Calder at Fairies Hill we are planning to go through Stanley Ferry tomorrow so will keep a look out for you. Give us a wave!

That's encouraging as we are further upstream at Fairies Hill and hope to be able to get away tomorrow. Let's hope there's not too much rain today!

Whereabouts are you Paul? I don't recognise the bridge.

Was hoping to start a four week cruise today from Fairies Hill down the A&C, C&H and onto the Rochdale. According to the EA website, the river levels have peaked so now hoping to make a start on Thursday but any info from folks currently on these sections would be gratefully received.

Go on then, make an offer!

I'm probably outnumbered on this, but don't think it's that overpriced

I'd say make an offer. We looked at a boat that was outside our budget but knew that we'd never find another that we liked as much so we stretched ourselves financially but don't regret it. You will probably spend more money on an older boat getting it how you want it.

Not qualified enough to comment on the engine but it looks a nice clean boat on the inside which you could put your own stamp on. I know that lots of people out there have very strong views on their preferred type of stern and I don't want to open another argument as I respect everyone's own opinions. However, for my part, I understand you have dogs and originally wanted the outside space of a cruiser stern. For us (with 2 dogs) a semi trad is perfect, but I am not sure a trad will work if you want the dogs to keep you company while you are cruising. Now let the floodgates open.....

We are hoping to depart on a four week trip leaving from our mooring on the Aire and Calder on Tuesday morning but now I am doubtful that the river will be low enough. Aargh!

Thanks, my mistake was thinking that this lock was on the Calder & Hebble hence I was looking in the wrong place!

Thanks Andy, I couldn't find this info on the CaRT website, so thanks for the posting, probably because I was searching under the Calder & Hebble rather than the Rochdale as MHS helpfully pointed out!

I think I have read somewhere that it's necessary to book a passage through this lock with the CaRT, but I can't see anything on their website nor does it get a mention in Nicholson's. Am I imagining it?

We are planning to go up the flight on or around the 16th April if anyone wants to share?

My wife and I completed the Wigan flight three times last year (once going down and twice up). Following stories we have read about the flight beforehand, we were a bit concerned but to be honest I'm not sure what the fuss is about. Yes, one or two of the paddles were a bit stiff and some locks are quite deep but it's not a lot different to other flights we have done on the network. It helps if you can double up and the current opening restrictions (which I understand will continue for the time being) encourage you to do this in any case. Help is quite often available too. I would encourage anyone not to be afraid of doing this.

Hi, having owned our boat for almost nine months now, a few jobs are coming up now that we are starting the cruising season: 1) The sliding hatch cover is starting to get a bit stiff. What is the best solution to get it moving again without making it too 'slippery' 2) What is the best way to clean the non slip surfaces on the boat e.g. Roof, gunwales etc? I cleaned the roof in the autumn with a scrubbing brush, but it took ages and was hard work. I found hat ordinary sponges and mops just disintegrate due to the sandy/rough surface. thanks as ever in advance for your tips.

I seem to remember that he is usually there on Wednesdays but thinks he pops up whenever he wants. Sure the Wigan lock keepers would have a number for him

I agree, Peter helped us on the flight twice last year. Top man!

I read the article and thought it was a fairly well balanced piece of journalism for a change. Was quite upfront about the pros and cons and no rose tinted specs

Think you are missing a treat of you don't do the full length of the L&L- it's one of the best canals on the system and you should be able to manage fine with a 62ft. We shared a large section of the canal with a boat this length last year (incl the Wigan flight) and it was fine.

I do agree with Mike Todd that we all need to take responsiblity for our own decisions and can't always rely on others to keep us 100% safe. The lesson I have learnt from this trip (and advice I would give to Quaysider) is to make good use of the information available on the EA website of the river levels further upstream. For Knostrop/Leeds I would now be checking further upstream on the Aire at locations such as Apperley Bridge and Snaygill (Skipton) to see if they are rising or falling. You need to add a few hours to the pattern here and that is what the level will be further downstream. Also, look at the geography for the river basin in question and check the weather forecasts for these areas in the lead up to your own journey.

I'd second (or third) the comments about not limiting your options with a longer boat. We live in the Yorkshire Dales so might be biased but the L&L is a fantastic canal, as is the Lancaster, and it gives great access to other northern waterways. Although we are not liveaboards, we do spend a lot of time on our boat and find that, with a good layout, 58' is fine for two of us plus two dogs. As an aside, we also find that a semi trad layout is great for dogs.

As the OP and the person who reported this to the CaRT at the time, I accept that this gives an explanation of what happened. However, the reason for me reporting this is so that it doesn't happen to anyone else in the future. This reply doesn't address that point and gives no indication of how it could be avoided through extra warnings etc. What is does say is that the lock indicator can be on green at Knostrop yet it could still be unsafe to travel further upstream. How can boaters be sure? Unfortunately, this doesn't help.

That is very sad news