cornishdave

I posted this in the Stoppages section a couple of days ago (I know some of these but not enough to say if they're on your route or not): "Following the driest spring in a century, water levels in some of our reservoirs have dropped. To help conserve the remaining water, from Tuesday 1 July we will be reducing the opening times for Foxton Lock flight from 8am, to close at 4pm with last boat in at 3.15pm. This collective action is being introduced on Claydon, Foxton, Napton, Marston Doles, Hill Morton, and Watford Lock Flights."

Not a stoppage, but shortages coming down from Watford summit: "Following the driest spring in a century, water levels in some of our reservoirs have dropped. To help conserve the remaining water, from Tuesday 1 July we will be reducing the opening times for Foxton Lock flight from 8am, to close at 4pm with last boat in at 3.15pm. This collective action is being introduced on Claydon, Foxton, Napton, Marston Doles, Hill Morton, and Watford Lock Flights."

Update from CRT: "The earliest we can mobilise this equipment is Wednesday 11th June."

Depending how your timings work out, try not to be at Red Bull lock on a sunny Sunday afternoon, pub is right at the edge of the lock so a good audience drastically increasing the chances of stuffing something up 😂

Popped up on my Facebook feed - nice entertainment for gongoozlers at the pub yesterday 😄 (Mind you, it's not much worse than the attempt I made a few years ago)

That is the direction we did it in. All good, but watch the tyrley lock entrances as the bywash is fierce on a couple and can push you to the far side. Plus I think at least one of the pounds at Tyrley you can't get to the side so need to set the next lock before editing the previous

I assume you're hiring - do you know how long the boat you're planning on is? We did that that trip a couple of years ago in a full length 70' and although we made it things were very tight on some of the locks (to the point where we were considering turning back until we were advised by a friendly fisher to go down one lock backwards! )

Yeah, I think it's possible we're being a bit optimistic, will have a play with route planner and see how it comes out. I'm making the assumption that lock opening times will be broadly the same as last year's. At the end of the day the plan is just a guide and will be subject to change as we go - not too bothered as long as we can find some pubs to eat at

That's really helpful, thanks. We have dogs and have visited Haigh Hall before, so think we'll go with the Leigh branch and stop at Pennington or Haigh Hall depending on how we're doing for time. We're starting at Silsden for two weeks - initial thought is to go down the five rise to somewhere like Shipley Junction, then back and along to Wigan flight. Appreciate that any number of things such as queues/weather/water shortages can change matters 🙂

Hi all, just planning our summer trip and have a quick question... If all goes well (and I appreciate that's a big if!) we should be coming down the Wigan flight and arrive at Wigan Junction with about 2 days spare before we turn around. Given that would you choose to continue straight towards Liverpool direction for a day and then turn or head down the Leigh branch for a day before turning? Cheers Dave

Sorry for the late reply, entered a bit of a black hole signal-wise. Anyway, got sorted at Caen Hill Marina 👍

We were originally planning to go to the waterfront tonight but don't think it's open Tuesdays 😐

Two week hire, finish Saturday. It's probably fine, just an abundance of paranoia on my part most likely. Just figured if there is somewhere to pump out better safe than sorry 😀

Just coming towards wooton Rivers heading down

It is Crt one. We're not actually full yet, just planning ahead. Was going to use Honey Street tomorrow but they said they don't do pump outs any more (apart from their own boats presumably) Will call the hire company if we get full

Hi all. We're on the k&a summit heading for pewsey and in need of a pump out soon. Can anyone advise where we can try (bearing in mind it's a hire boat and we don't have a crt card) Thanks

You're absolutely correct, not a problem going upstream as the bow can overhang the cill giving you an extra foot or so which makes life much easier

You are correct, they are clearly marked for the most part. I think the posts are painted light blue (or at least three top couple of feet) to indicate overnight mooring allowed

Ok. Only wondered if you were the lovely people we worked Hatton with on the way there.

I couldn't agree more. Only minor problem is the same with all rivers and goes with the territory - moorings can be a little short on supply towards the end of the day so some flexibility is needed when planning, but we always found somewhere. Odd question, but is yours the boat with the large yellow duck on top? 😀

We've just finished an excellent trip which included traveling down the Avon from Stratford to the Severn. Just a bit of info that may be of use to anyone else going that way - some of those locks are damn tight length-wise for a 70ft boat! From Evesham onwards we had to go down the locks diagonally then push the front of the boat sideways to open the gate, so definitely no room for a second boat. One lock in particular no matter how much shuffling and pushing we did there was no way to open the gate. In the end following some advice from a kind angler we had to go down backwards then with the bow overhanging the cill we had enough room to open! No complaints, was a fab trip - just a heads up for anyone else going down these locks in a 70 footer.

Proceed, not princess 🙄

ANT now reporting navigation is open, princess with care. Possible debris in river

That is incredibly helpful, thank you so much for that. It looks as if the timings I got out of CanalPlan are optimistic to say the least, will have to have a re-think... Thanks again Dave

Thanks both, much appreciated. Right, had a bit of a play with canal plan, this is first draft - does this look about right/feasible given lock/bridge opening times etc? (Pick up at the wheel.) (Part) Day 1 - Linlithgow Day 2 - Edinburgh Quay Day 3 - bridge 49 cafe (midday start as wander through city in morning) Day 4 - Kelpies (sea lock basin?) (9am start to make sure we've got time to get through the locks) Day 5 - just after Bonnybridge lift bridge Day 6 - Spiers Wharf Day 7 - just before Bonnybridge lift bridge Final morning back to the wheel/base Cheers Dave