rgreg

Having been a very welcomed guest here I can confirm that it is an excellent club.

And the gap on the handle is too small to get your hand in.

To be fair and compare like for like, the Black Country one is inclusive of p & p whereas the Charlies' postage is only free if you spend over £75. I've just bought the Black Country one and searched high and low without success to find the country of origin when I received it.

My CraftInsure policy only requires a survey when over 30 years old. Is it 20 years for sea-going vessels?

Most people moor on the pound above the lock behind you or on the pontoon at the far end of your photo. The L&L is even quieter than usual at the moment. The stoppage at Burscough won't be helping, preventing travel to/ from Liverpool.

Now open (Bridge 191)

We just need Swing-Bridge 191 (Silsden) fixing next then we have a through route; apparently a part has to go to/ come from Germany. Update due on Monday.

I don't know if this has been posted elsewhere, but it's copied from the CRT update: a simple link to email your MP regarding the funding concerns. It only takes a minute and can't do any harm even if it doesn't do any good. The email is pre-written with the option to add your own comments if you wish. It even automatically finds your MP's email. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/canalrivertrust.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=936676c6b0ead7474e5c5ff70&id=cacc4272d9&e=94452b00af__;!!LHav0979W1rwZ6kzRg!6oO3ONEygijWq3Oe_b30s3NZ2IxC5cvCwaUdzJOKMDUJBE3fZo8bFEHnltHt1aixcb-Zoz28GCr3wVnS0A1rdk9SCOIw%24

Halsall: 07491 149149

I'm watching progress with this and the other issues on the L&L as I'm currently on the east side heading west (hopefully!).

Not a good position in the North:48221-june-2023-reservoir-watch.pdf

I carry my windlass firmly tucked into a belt; this works for me.

As a long-time single-hander I am very happy with my semi-trad. I frequently use the roof in locks so have slimline solar panels to allow plenty of roofspace either side of them. I usually steer from the inside of the external rear doors and like to sit out on the back deck at times.

You do realise that the notice refers to two separate flights opening alternate days but both closed on Fridays? It specifically mentions Friday because that is the day that BOTH flights are closed to allow replenishment for the weekend. There's no contradiction that I can see.

I single-handed the HNC last month west to east and would do it again without a second thought (and could well be later this summer). Admittedly, it's not for everyone: you need to be physically up to the challenge, prepared to be creative at times with your locking technique, accept that there may be the odd issue to deal with, and like doing locks!

Microwave

This is worth considering if you have under-counter space. I use one like this through an inverter but it is also available in 12V @ more than 3X the price. https://amzn.eu/d/c5amwhW

Apparently so: "Whilst the building of the new Marple Service Block has commenced onsite, there has been a delay on the third-party development as advised last year. An alternative skip is located on the wharf by Bridge 15B, just north of Lock 1 on the Marple Flight. An update on progress will be provided in June 2023." Not very convenient unless you're going down the flight though.

There are currently no services at Marple due to construction on the site. A new service block is part of that.

Having just completed the HNC west to east single-handed it seems that I have been lucky in encountering no unexpected issues and dodging any stoppages. In the main, I found the water levels ok and the locks worked (some very stiff paddles and leaky gates but, on the other hand, some almost totally water- tight gates). I avoided most lock landings due to the risk of grounding. I found the west side in a better condition than the east. My route: *Marple Aqueduct to Stalybridge above lock 5W. ( Excellent, but expensive, Chinese takeaway at Phoenix City) *Roaches Lock ( Excellent Sunday roast and pint at Roaches Inn) * Uppermill VMs *Diggle ( good pint @ Diggle Hotel) * Standedge Tunnel ( chaperoned excellently by Chris, a Jet 2 pilot!). I am right on the maximum height limit and it was tight. I hit my head several times mis-judging the hard hat height! On to Marsden for the night (excellent pint at The Tap) *Below lock 32E Sparth. Lovely spot for the night. *Slaithwaite basin (Sunday open mic @ Shoulder of Mutton). *Below lock 9E ( quiet night) * Through lock 1E @ appointed time of 3pm to Aspley Basin. Total running time Marple Aqueduct to Aspley Basin 40 hours. Hardly saw another boat throughout the complete journey. It was a great trip: superb views and plenty of physical activity. Recommended.

That seems to be the current procedure. I hadn't requested assistance along with my tunnel booking but received a call from CRT to arrange it.

Yes, I saw that assistance from the volunteer ranger team for the upper east side locks can be booked through the online system as with the tunnel and lock 1E.

Following with interest. Were there any parts that would have been a particular issue for a single-hander?

I have 3 x C200 cassettes: 2 original non-wheeled and 1 of the new style with wheels and handle. They all perform equally except for the reduced capacity of the wheeled version. I do prefer the non-wheeled ones due to the extra capacity and just carry the wheeled version to the Elsan anyway on the rare occasions I do use it.