Mac of Cygnet

Well Cygnet is at this moment the most southerly boat on the Connected System (cue for a chorus of "Oh no it isn't! ). One thing I've noticed in my voyage south is, I'm afraid, a reinforcement of a stereotype: Whether underway, moored, or off the boat I always try to catch the eye of towpathers and give a cheery greeting. It's quite rare not to get a response oop north (except for anglers, obviously ), but down here about 50% of the time there's just a blank stare or at the most a curt nod or a twitch of the lips. Am I risking being locked up for trying to greet people? It's back down to the Thames now and into London. Not sure if I'm looking forward to that. Don't worry, I won't try to accost people on the Regents Canal towpath. Mac Edited to say I appear to have double posted this due to the present gitch in the system. I'm just surprised I managed to post it at all.

Well Cygnet is at this moment the most southerly boat on the Connected System (cue for a chorus of "Oh no it isn't! ). One thing I've noticed in my voyage south is, I'm afraid, a reinforcement of a stereotype: Whether underway, moored, or off the boat I always try to catch the eye of towpathers and give a cheery greeting. It's quite rare not to get a response oop north (except for anglers, obviously ), but down here about 50% of the time there's just a blank stare or at the most a curt nod or a twitch of the lips. Am I risking being locked up for trying to greet people? It's back down to the Thames now and into London. Not sure if I'm looking forward to that. Don't worry, I won't try to accost people on the Regents Canal towpath. Mac

Well, you're not superstitious, obviously!

I'll take this opportunity to ask if there are pontoon moorings below Brentford lock (like Torksey on the Trent) for use of those who arrive too early or too late for whatever reason?

On the same subject, I must apologise to Lady Muck for not going back to say hello at Goring the other day after sailing past shouting "You are Lady Muck ands I claim my five pounds!" I got sort of caught up in an oil change, and by the time I finished there was no-one around. She at least did recognise me (or rather the boat, as she doesn't know me from Adam). Mac

How did he do that then? You can't use the PM system with less than 5 posts.

As you're in West Yorkshire, hire a boat from Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge. Their instruction is second to none, and if you survive and enjoy the Rochdale and/or Calder & Hebble canals then the rest of the system will be a doddle.

That's moored at Clayworth, isn't it? Pity you couldn't have just moved yourself to the boat - it's an excellent place to moor, and the RWBC very welcoming.

Any particular reason why you want to moor near these places? If it's a question of schedule, then I think it's wise to be a bit more flexible when cruising the Nene, and one or two diversions on the Middle Level might also be rewarding. Beware the Imray Guides - they show moorings where there are none, and vice versa. I have moored at the following (ones marked * were a bit improvised) : Cogenhoe,Irthlingborough, Denford, Thrapston, Titchmarsh, Wadenhoe, Oundle Boat Club, Ashton, Fotheringhay (charge),Warmington, Elton, Wansford Bridge*, Wansford Station, Alwalton Lock, Ferry Meadows, Peterborough, Stanground, Ashline Lock, Floods Ferry (charge), Benwick*, Ramsey Forty Foot*, Ramsey, March, Upwell*, Outwell, Salter's Lode. As I said, if you stick to 6 hour days and head stright for Ely, (however good that is, and it is!), you'll miss a lot. Mac Edited to add Benwick, where I believe proper mooring has now been provided. Anyone confirm this?

Personally I've regarded Hebden Bridge (the OP's destination) as rather spooky ever since I found a half-burnt doll in the woods with pins sticking in it. And as for Ferrybridge....... (Hope Lady Muck isn't listening)

So which places are you going to avoid, then?

Obviously those damn Russkys need to learn how to spell viviparous.

I frequently use the centre rope (as well as fore and aft) when mooring, but not direct to the bank. I pass it forward through the foremost top rail stanchion, then loop twice through a ring or pin, then tie off at the aftmost top rail stanchion. None of this absolutely tight. This acts as an effective spring line to stop Cygnet, which is a short boat, being moved too much forward or back when boats thrash past. Mac

I had exactly the opposite experience. I had moored at Bevere Lock and was only stopping off at Worcester for a bit of shopping. A guy came down the bank within ten minutes of me arriving (at 9AM) and asked for £5. I argued in vain trhat I had neither stayed the night nor was intending to. It's a £5 flat rate for even part of a day, except if you're onlyt stopping for water.

I agree with Alan (!!!!!!) The last time I tried to jump start another boat, using his cables and mine connected, there simply wasn't enough juice getting through to work. The batteries of both boats have to be in the right place.

ASAP prices are ex-VAT and delivery is extra. Try a search on eBay - Thorneycroft give the VAT included price and free delivery. You'll save about a tenner.

There was frost on the roof this morning. But the river looked so beautiful that I put on my padded jacket, winter trousers, wooly hat and wellies and went out to take some pics. And then went back to bed An hour later the scene was very different but just as beautiful: And there was a cuckoo. Mac

Moored today against the large field below Halfpenny Bridge, Lechlade, assuming it was the EA mooring, but was pursued across the field this evening by a chap with a small child, two dogs and a large herd of cows to demand £4. Where exactly is the (free) EA mooring in Lechlade? OK, I know £4 is only numbers, but it sort of took the gloss off Lechlade, which I thought perfect. In addition, can anyone point me to the very useful thread from a few months back about mooring on the Thames? I meant to bookmark it, but of course forgot. It would be extremely useful on my journey down the river. Mac Mac

If they exist - most of the C&H locks don't have steps. And even if they do, I've come to the conclusion that I'm safer climbing a ladder than stepping off onto a set of slippery overgrown steps - at least I've got both hands holding as well as feet. I wear a pair of rigger gloves for slippery rungs.

It's not so much the walkways and bridges - there are ways of circumventing them - but the shape of the lock tail of big locks, especially giving onto rivers, makes it unavoidable to use a ladder. Having said that, of the 200-odd locks I've been through since April, I've only had to descend about 3 or 4 ladders (I don't mind climbing them).

Oi! I like churches, tho' not religious. If it weren't for Nicholsons I wouldn't have discovered several real gems, such as at Wolfhampcote, very near Braunston. You can't please everyone, but I think they've got it about right, give and take some inaccuracies mostly due to the changing scene. If you compare them to the awful Imray Guides to the East Anglian waterways, for example, then you'll really appreciate Nicholsons. Mac Edited to add to Lady M : I met a canoeist who had a map of all the canoeable waterways of England & Wales. It was from the British Canoe Federation (?)