Ange

We gave up on any ideas of visiting the breweries in Masham once we had consulted a map and saw how far away it was in the real world when you have to rely on public transport (those tourist information leaflets made it look so close!) Twas a lovely sunny afternoon so we decided to to take a stroll back down the towpath to meet Suzie Joy and see if we could be of any assistance with the numerous swing bridges on the approach to Skipton. We found her in a convoy of boats which meant we (well Dave actually - I just stayed on the boat) only had to operate a swing bridge once. A meal and a few beers were had in Skipton and a kindred spirit was met - I'm sure we'll meet again. Suzie Joy is now safely moored just in front of Iona.

We started off with 3 and found it was rubbish for reception except in large towns (though this may have been due to a dodgy dongle - others recommend 3) We're now dangling from a Vodafone dongle - we've only used it on the Leeds & Liverpool but have always been able to get a signal of some sorts, no matter how remote we are.

Awwwwww

Nah - you won't get flummuxed I promise - they're all a piece of cake. Remember gravity with some of the handcuffs - you can turn them forever and they don't seem to come loose then turn them upside down and they open! The fun one is the swingbridge where the klaxon sounds, the barriers come down but the road is closed and barricaded with a big fence! Still gives you a feeling of power though (Edited to add you need your BWB key for that one) Have fun

The Old Swan - we had a few beers in there when we moored there. Gargrave is lovely, isn't it? I'll be happy to walk back along the towpath to help with some of the swing bridges if you want to give me a bell - I'll PM you my mobile

Aww - you'll be missed Den Yay - twill be good to catch up with you and the lovely Bagpuss again. Shame about the boat tho - I was hoping we could visit her. Where is she at the mo?

We moved to the other side of the next bridge so we weren't moored up right next to a house (we have to run the engine a lot when we're not cruising cos our batteries are shot!) We're nearly opposite the bus station.

Where did you moor up tonight Blanche?

I could have got the same with 3 but my 1gb would run out after a month. I'm quite a light user - so far 1gb has lasted me 6 weeks as I've got a pay as you go with no expiry. I think I'm as well off as if I'd paid £10 then had it run out after a month

Hmm at £15 per gb that makes it roughly £5 per program ! I think I'll skip that option (I had a feeling that'd be the case but wanted to check) Thanks for the info Tony

Can I ask a quick question, slightly Is it possible to watch a program on BBC iPlayer via a dongle? I'm on PAYG and buy 1gb at a time - if it is possible how much of that gb would it use - or would it blow it all at once? Ta muchly

BUMP Cos it's only this coming weekend We're travelling down from Skipton, Matt (Divum Draconis) is driving up from Kent so no excuses accepted! Who's up for a beer in Brum this weekend?

We were very lucky and buddied up with another boat (Footloose - didn't check whether they were forum members - they're moored at the new moorings just before Lower Park Marina) Lower Park Marina, just as a by the by, was where our boat was built by Doug Moore after he moved from Riley Green - we spent quite a long time there checking out her history.

So Wednesday is still a possibility (fingers crossed) Hasn't it been a gorgeous day today? We did a really touristy thing and paid £3 each to go on the trip boat up the Springs Branch - seems daft when we've got our own boat but it was good fun

Thanks Roger. I'll keep an eye out for you while here (though greyhounds & whippets do seem rather common in these parts!). Feel free to say hello if we're in when you pass - the kettle is always ready for visitors

Aww - do try and get here by Wednesday, otherwise we won't be able to make it (unless you're sticking around for a few days)

We did walk up and down the section we're moored in and didn't see any signs so assumed they were 14 day moorings. Did I miss something?

Just read this out to Dave and he reckons it'd be rude not to pop round there later for one or two to check it out

lol you posted this just after I'd shut down my laptop cos the battery was about to die

We are indeed in Skipton now Haven't seen too much of the town so far - our first priority was finding somewhere to watch the Grand Prix and we ended up spending the afternoon in Wetherspoons We intend to stay here at least a week and thoroughly explore the town - maybe do a brewery tour - I believe Theakstons and Black Sheep breweries aren't too far. We're moored up just before the Springs Branch if anyone wants to say hello