Midnight

It was with some dissappointment (over Wigan) and much, much trepidation that we left Lymm this morning heading back to base over the Rochdale Canal. I'm not sure whether it's old age or paranoia, but the Rochdale gives me the heebee jeebees. Four club members' boats, including us, arranged to meet at Castlefield at 1pm. Although I've done three faultless east- west crossings, the twice going back to base we have encountered lots of problems causing mucho stresso leaving me wondering if someone has put a curse on me leaving the North West for God's own country. Two years ago we had four stoppages in five days and then had to plead with the Summit lockie to let us over minutes before a three week closure. After we dropped down Longlees he padlocked the gates. In 2006 despite being escorted up Failsworth flight by a team of BW lockies we were told by a man in a van (actually a roving lady BW official) that the canal was in fact shut. It certainly was when we reached Littleborough - no water all the way to Summit. Thank the Lord for Ray the (then) Summit Lockie who having just returned from holiday to find the relief had let the water drain away, saved the (very long) day. The following day we reached the outskirts of Tod to be met by another BW lockie who said the cill on the guillotine lock had blown. Amazingly (take note C&RT) the BW boys managed to replace it within 5 hours so we made it to Hebden albeit in the dark. Anyway back to today's effort. It all went wrong within 500 yards of leaving when one of our fellow boater's wiring loom shorted causing the electrics to fail completely. RCR managed to fix it within 4 hours but a long delay a late afternoon ascent up the dreaded nine lay ahead. I really was wondering if this was the 'curse' at play again. Going up the nine was it's usual tough and dirty ascent. Not helped by the smooth paving now around the locks. In the rain they took on the character a skating rink - only a couple of not too heavy falls by various team members. Slight issues with some awkward paddles and one of the team broke his windlass on one stiffy at lock 86. That was the offside paddle and the towpath (?) side was leaking badly. (Note the report it to C&RT in the morning). Locking the last boat through 87 the towpath bottom gate refused to shut. A suspected foreign object under the gate was flushed through and with help from two keen students we got through that one. Nothing else untoward other than one trip down the weedhatch and the usual water pouring over the gates after rain thingy. Rain is good when heading over the Rochdale. Sat wondering if C&RT will let all four boats through Summit pound on Wednesday's booking (two slots only). They can't really claim "no water" this week. As a contingency two are booked for Friday but will ring and grovel tomorrow. Having said that we have yet to reach Summit so maybe counting horses before the stable door falls off. Third time lucky maybe? 🙏🙏🙏

A long day from The Rose to lock 37. Aiming for Littleborough or Bent House lock so will need an early start to get to Summit for 11am

Not working

Yes checked the obvious stuff. The panel has two lamps one for each battery / bank. I'm not great on electrics but put a multimeter on both, the domestic alternator voltage increased but the starter alternator voltage stayed same when the engine was started. It's the left side buzzer and light that comes on. Not the aux

Lady boater moored near asking for help. A new auxilliary alternator was recently fitted. Whilst running the engine to charge the batteries the aux red light came on and the buzzer sounding. No loose wires. Looks to me like the new alternator has failed but anyone any ideas what else it could be or what to check? Its a twin alternator setup.

Too many good pubs to choose from. Sadlers has a slight edge over Brewery Tap but only cos of the friendly landlord and regulars.

Last time I was there there was no fob gate on the left side? Yes both hard days but 2nd option gets you through the grot spots to Castlefield and beyond in a day. Summit restriction supposed to be until October 31st. As there will be quite a few diverted boats from Wigan, C&RT should ease restrictions, but I suspect they won't. Thank you good sir I didn't know about the limited days - booked now for the 4th The notice says Passage will be available to the direction of Manchester from Sowerby Bridge, and vice versa, at 11am on... Doesn't say 'from 11am' If 'at' that's a 7am start from Littleborough

That's a hard day Ian you need a big crew and an early start as you will no doubt get holdups. You could probably make it to Islington or Ducie street. (we intend to stop there as Islington now charge £25 a night. There's also good moorings around the corner on the Ashton by the newish houses on the left. If you want to get clear of the grot areas in one day a reasonable schedule which may help prevent a mutiny is Hebden Bridge to Walsden area( just after lock 30 is good) Then over Summit to Littleborough (Red Lion) or Smithy Bridge. Then down to Irk Aquaduct (Rose of Lancaster). Cast off early and you should get down to Ducie street junction for around 1pm with enough time to do the Rochdale 9 down to Castlefield. You do need to allow for the inevitable visits down the weedhatch and other holdups. When decending from Lock 65 you need to keep one lock between you and any boats going down in front or you will flood them out. Best make sure you are the first to leave Rose or you may meet Captain Slow. He's usually somewhere on the flight especially when you are on a mission.

Yes I agree but was just putting an alternative as I feel genuine CCers-who-comply are payng the price for those who do not comply. The added benefit would be that option would encourage compliance would it not?

If it's closing because Twitter are saying they will be charging then fine by me. However I do take your point about the C&RT website and form. Should be an easy fix - a bit like a broken paddle

On the other side

You mean to say you never noticed any? Okay maybe not a recognised term but CMers and bridge hoppers certainly do exist (and could be identified) or should we call them non-moving-continuous-cruisers or what about freeloaders? Try this as an example - boaters without a home mooring whose range is less than XXX miles will have to pay a surcharge of £XXX

You are pointing the wrong way for the Rochdale 😆😆😆

Waiting for today's update but not expecting anything positive. A message from @Jon57 , who was today in Wigan, supports the notion that it will take another 3 or 4 weeks and he's now heading to Manchester. We are currently in Lymm so will be attempting to go over the Rochdale starting this weekend. Not sure if it's old age or paranoia, but every time my email app pings for a stoppage notice I break out into a sweat. 🙏🙏🙏

Read what I wrote

I believe C&RT only introduced this CCer surcharge in response to those who don't CC. In my opinion it unfairly penalises genuine CCers (Note the @MtB there are more than 10). Over the last 3 years we have probably used as many of the facilities as any CCer. I can see why CMers should be hit with massive surcharge. Free moorings are not part of the deal. As I mentioned earlier it would be relatively easy for C&RT to seperate genuine CCers from CMers & bridge hoppers and the benefits of doing so.

Blue Signs - grrr, woof, bark 😆 Note to @IanD I promise to not ever mention blue signs again if we both manage to get over the Rochdale without a stoppage.

....overhanging walkways 😆

While you are at Toolstation......

I think you will be fine - wet nose but fine. Elland is the one to watch out for. That walkway inside the bottom gates has a fair few scars now and I guess there are few bent swan necks about.

Anderton???

If you can get to Mirfield you can do the whole C&H. Shepley Bridge is one of the tight locks as is Millbank. Even Salterhebble top can be done with care in a 60ft boat even though you need to come back down backwards.

Since the Boxing Day flood of 2015 we have put in a lot of flood defenses to protect both boats and buildings. The last flood in 2021 was higher than 2015 and the rise and fall system coped well. No boats were compromised. We also have a robust flood procedure. I know cos I wrote it and also created an early warning system linked to the EA flood level stations. http://www.southpennineboatclub.co.uk/flood-monitoring/ When a flood alert is called our flood team spring into action. We usually can predict the highest level to an inch or two and within 30 minutes of the event. I think even @IanD would be impressed.

Battyeford SPBC Yours - Park Farm?

Those "razor-wire/mattress-type incidents" are a doddle, it's C&RT's track record at keeping it open you need to worry about. Just so you can prove me wrong I say "we won't get over cos C&RT are hopeless and waste money on blue signs 😆". Here's a thought if it does go tits-up you can have my mooring and I'll have yours over the winter.