rgreg
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Posts posted by rgreg
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1 hour ago, Cheshire cat said:
I think the bottom handle should be on the other way up. Form over function?
And the gap on the handle is too small to get your hand in.
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17 hours ago, FredDrift said:
Probably knocked out in their hundreds in China - Same scuttle here for £20…
https://www.charlies.co.uk/mansion-large-black-coal-chute-with-deluxe-cast-iron-handles.html
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.
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15 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:
After all the horror stories of 50% increases in premiums I was not looking forward to the renewal for 'The Cat'.
It has actually come out at just a 2% increase on last year and is almost £100 cheaper than the next best quote I've got (CraftInsure - who would also require a full survey as she is 20 years old this year)
Insure4Boats came out at a starting figure of over £500 above the existing insurer renewal.
Unsurprisingly - Staying where I am.
My CraftInsure policy only requires a survey when over 30 years old. Is it 20 years for sea-going vessels?
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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.
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On 19/07/2023 at 20:45, rgreg said:
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.
Now open (Bridge 191)
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59 minutes ago, Pie Eater said:
Contractors will be removing the scaffolding and dams over the next 2 days in preparation for the reopening of the flight on this Saturday 22nd July.
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.
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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.
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2 hours ago, Arthur Marshall said:
Anyone seen Halsall on the T&M or the Weaver? I know they're hitting Northwich on Saturday but don't want to go past and miss them.
Halsall: 07491 149149
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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!).
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Not a good position in the North:48221-june-2023-reservoir-watch.pdf
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8 hours ago, Captain Pegg said:
When I use lock ladders I take nothing with me. Both centre line and windlass are thrown up to the lockside first when ascending, and left there for collection after I’m on the cabin top when descending. Just less stuff to snag.
Never got on with having the windlass about my person so I always carry it by hand. It increases the risk of losing it but that’s a tolerable outcome.
I carry my windlass firmly tucked into a belt; this works for me.
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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.
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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.
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27 minutes ago, Steve Manc said:
Agree HNC can be a challenge I don't think it's for single manning.
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!
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29 minutes ago, Goliath said:
You may not be anti modern fridges but I reckon I’m anti inverters. 😃
Does me head in when I read the pros and cons of them. very confusing.
I think unless I want power tools or kettles why have one?
Just something to go wrong, install wrong, play up, blow up and take up space.
(Might be worth it for the luxury of a proper toaster mind.)
Microwave
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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.
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1 hour ago, Alway Swilby said:
Didn't they move the bins somewhere for the duration?
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.
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There are currently no services at Marple due to construction on the site. A new service block is part of that.
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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.
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1 hour ago, Captain Pegg said:
Does that mean to get 42E unlocked you need to request the volunteer assistance?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.
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6 minutes ago, Kendorr said:
I've single handed the HNC twice, both times from W to E, the last time was in 2021. On that trip, I had help on the East side of Standedge Tunnel from a local volunteer who will help from Diggle to Slaithwaite. I can't see where I booked it from, but it's certainly worth knowing if you're by yourself.
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.
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11 hours ago, Adam said:
I have read a fair bit about the Huddersfield recently searching old threads and so on, both good and bad and how underused it is and why. The last time i did the Huddersfield (or went boating infact) was circa 12-15 years ago, and from memory it was underused then (not as quite as the Rochdale though). i will drop my thoughts / experience on using the Huddersfield Narrow on a day by day basis below. Hopefully giving a up to date experience and hopefully? promoting its use. Since February we have been bringing a boat from Braunston to Leeds.
There is 2 crew and we think we are the first boat up the west side this year.
Day 1 -
Opted to stay at the bottom of the Marple flight and set off 7.30 aiming for Stalybridge / Roaches lock (15W) depending how we got on. We stayed at the bottom of Marple half because we left from Bugsworth the previous day and half because we didn't fancy staying at Portland Basin. Turning onto the Ashton towards the HNC it is immediately very narrow and rubbish filled, Lock 1W is a rapists paradise and covered in dog sh**t. Similar can be said for 2&3W, graffiti covered rubbish tip finely complemented by overgrown foliage across the navigation, on lock approaches / landings (i appreciate the HNC was not designed for lock landings), in all fairness the landings at the first few locks were ok depth wise. Smash through some more foliage and across the Tame Aquaduct, veer round a shopping trolley on the landing at 4W, acknowledge man carrying tin of fosters at 11.30am (it is easy to drop crew at the approach bridge anyway). I note the moorings above 4w, felt these were reasonable looking on the offside. Through lock 5W, note moorings on offside looking unpleasant. Through 6W(Tesco), spectate 2 drug deals, a man wearing a balaclava and a influx of single late 20s males walking viscous looking dog breeds. Most of the other towpath walkists seemed friendly. Up through 7w, towpath becomes muddy. Afterthoughts of Stalybridge are what a mess, a real shame with the money spent on the Canal there, and could be a really good stop over if it was properly populated with boats. Note i appreciate we are the only boat around so this maybe adds to the feeling.
8W (under the piling) stopped at the sanitary station just above for water / elsan. Noted all electricity off in the building and a handwritten sign (assumably pre electric problem) stating shower out of use. Noted stoppage on CRT website from January stating electric problem and a update the end of April, top marks CRT. Also noted fortification of the CRT yard resembling Fort Knox, seriously. Reinforced steel doors on facilities gave the appearance of mooring in Beirut.
9,10,11W, very nice wooded section next to the river and for the first time since Romiley a heavy reduction on Graffiti. Plenty of nice folks walking dogs and so on. Top of these few locks is the Scout Tunnel. Noted tunnel mooring on offside looked a nice stop overlooking the river but carried on. 12W the other side of the tunnel was fine. 13W - the first time in 12 locks we were grounded trying to use the lock mooring. A combination of 2 crew not requiring every one and the HNC not being as shallow as is mentioned (so far). Easily sorted by aiming for the landing a little closer to the lock. Between 13/14w a pleasant exchange with some bored children sat on the edge of a bridge. Through 14W and onto the unsigned? visitor moorings below 15w, Roaches lock. Moorings a plenty for 4 or so boats, deep to the edge except where the towpath has collapsed in several places. Up to the pub to find them not serving food, indian takeaway is is then.
To summarise, the start of the canal is as one would expect of a urban canal, Stalybridge a disappointment and after that it starts to really get nice. That's only 7 locks till you really start to see the beauty of the HNC. Traveling through Stoke takes longer. Also noted the Macc / PF has many many many more shallow spots than we have encountered on the HNC thus far. I do wonder why 80% of boat traffic never drop down through Marple and why the other 19% turn left at Portland, especially when from our experience it is marginally better than the 2 mentioned very popular canals. Lock paddles not as much hard work as expected, anti vandal locks being operable is a lottery - the hydraulic paddle gear is more bother than the mechanical paddles.
Feel free to comment/ question below, I will update this initial post
Following with interest. Were there any parts that would have been a particular issue for a single-hander?
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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.
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I've often moored here with no issues but wouldn't leave my boat unattended.
South Pennine Boat Club
in Authorities, Clubs and Societies
Posted
Having been a very welcomed guest here I can confirm that it is an excellent club.