Mac of Cygnet

As an aside, Doug Moore also built a boat called 'Rosie' which we hired from him at Barnoldswick. We were one of the first to cruise it, and got as far as Castleford IIRC - everything was pristine, including the stove, which was a novelty to us as hirers. He was hiring it out to possible prospective buyers - little did he know that the asking price was more than our house was insured for! He was only a little surprised to be paid the hire fee in cash - the takings from our market stalls the previous weekend. We saw 'Rosie' a few times in later years, once looking a bit run down. I presume the boat is still in existence.

Only just, apparently!

No.2 Son has been helping out at the Eden Festival in Dumfries & Galloway and he sent me this pic of a narrowboat imported for the event, and a 20 metre long canal dug to float it. My reaction was "Weird. Why?", but he could only reply "Because they could".

There is now a water level warning indicator above the top gate of that lock - an upside down version of the indicators below river locks, with green at the top.

Best 'pile up' I achieved was at Fool's Nook on the Macc - an entire classic car rally. I had actually owned three of the models. It was all very interesting.

I quite often got passers-by to operate the L&L bridges for me. They were generally delighted to play with the electrified ones, but less keen on the manual for some reason, although I was quite gratified by the occasional ad hoc volunteer for these too. Edited to say that I once almost decapitated a cyclist on the New Junction as he came racing through the closing barriers, head down, earphones in. He came off the bike quite spectacularly, but didn't seem to make much of it - perhaps it happened to him regularly.

In the 15 years I had Cygnet, three summers were spent in East Anglia, I liked it so much. Including buying the boat at Calcutt, and taking her to Sowerby Bridge via Cambridge. The most magical mooring? Wicken Lode (but of course limited by Upware lock). I could have been back in the Middle Ages. There were some very ad hoc moorings to allow me to explore (and it did feel like exploration) some less frquented parts, but of course Cygnet was only 27ft. and I felt I could always turn round and retreat if necessary! Edited to say that it was all very much less complicated regarding licences when I did it, including more than a month in the Middle Level with nothing to pay at all. I think I would hesitate to do the same trips today.

The HNC is certainly getting some attention! Is there any other canal on the system so controversial? My dozen transits, from the early days when boats were pulled through in trains of four, to a latterday attempt on a personal best Standedge time (1 hour 15 mins) were all different, all more or less challenging, but all contributed to my boating technique, sometimes in very unorthodox ways.

Looks like a good neat job.

Well I've been on all the waterways depicted in the OP, but only ever aquired one plaque, which is conspicuously missing in the pic. It never got put up, languished under a pile of books, and was still there when I sold the boat. I wonder if you can guess which canal it was? I've mentioned it often enough.

Woodlesford has always had space when I've been there, with frequent trains a few minutes to Leeds.

And it taught me a new word - vexillogapher!

This isn't exactly up to date, as I was last there in 2019! Sowerby Bridge toilets/elsan opposite Shire Cruisers through the big glass door. Bins nearby in compound. 2 water points - in basin and round on the Rochdale. Only water point at Salterhebble now above top lock. No services on Halifax Arm. Brighouse water/elsan next to Sainsburys, bins (skips) opposite lower basin. Shepley Bridge water only AFAIK Horbury Bridge services available but rather difficult to access. Broadcut doubtful now all permanent moorers evicted. Never noticed bins at Wakefield flood lock Lidl is no longer opposite Mirfield Boatyard, and doubtful if you'll be able to access anything. CV Marine Saville Town very limited opening

Yes, much pleasanter down in the lower basin if there's room. And Brighouse has the best selection of small shops of any town I've moored in, as well as the cheapest department store (Boyes).

From the article: A Walsall driver and his dog had a rude awakening when they took a wrong turning into the town's canal lock. The implication being that they were asleep at the time?

And did your grandad enjoy Standedge? I've just made the connection, Adam! Was talking to your mum and Dave in the Cross Keys tonight. You don't mention that they accompanied you on the Marsden - Slawit stretch in the pouring rain.

Hey!

My solution when singlehanding the L&L was to get towpath walkers to operate the electric bridges. Everyone was delighted to get to play with them, except for one Asian lad who took one terrified look and ran away!