Blackburn on a weekend?

[LoneWolf]

I was advised today not to do Blackburn on the weekend.

Now I know some people are overly afeared of the feral youth but what do any local boaters reckon?

 

The only thing that ever really worries me sometimes is leaving the boat out of sight when i have to set locks

 

 

And any tips re the locks themselves would be handy - I did the first couple of Johnsons Hill solo today & they seemed a bit strange & unpredictable with a single boat in them compared to the GU locks. and those wierd gate paddles...

[tomsk]

Now I know some people are overly afeared of the feral youth but what do any local boaters reckon?

 

The only thing that ever really worries me sometimes is leaving the boat out of sight when i have to set locks

 

 

And any tips re the locks themselves would be handy - I did the first couple of Johnsons Hill solo today & they seemed a bit strange & unpredictable with a single boat in them compared to the GU locks. and those wierd gate paddles...

 

Not even Mob Handed!!! LOL

[LoneWolf]

Not even Mob Handed!!! LOL

 

umm thanks for your reply tomsk.

So have you been through Blackburn? What was it like?

Or is your post based on stuff you've heard perhaps.

Anything useful to add at all?

[Nine of Hearts]

Not even Mob Handed!!! LOL

 

Go through on Sunday the 18th. Everyone will be busy kicking lumps out each other at the Rovers v b*****ds game.

[LoneWolf]

Go through on Sunday the 18th. Everyone will be busy kicking lumps out each other at the Rovers v b*****ds game.

 

lol - cant wait that long though

[Ange]

We passed through Blackburn recently - I think it was over the weekend. No problems at all - I think people are overly fearful because of isolated incidences which can happen anywhere. We're in Gargrave at the mo travelling veeery slowly so if you do pass us drop in for a coffee

 

Edited to add I think they had a competition to baffle boaters when they designed the paddles and handcuff keys on the L&L - they're different every time - and because there's no way across the gates you have to walk what seems like miles to operate both sets of paddles on your own.

Edited October 1, 2009 by Ange

[LoneWolf]

We passed through Blackburn recently - I think it was over the weekend. No problems at all - I think people are overly fearful because of isolated incidences which can happen anywhere. We're in Gargrave at the mo travelling veeery slowly so if you do pass us drop in for a coffee

 

Edited to add I think they had a competition to baffle boaters when they designed the paddles and handcuff keys on the L&L - they're different every time - and because there's no way across the gates you have to walk what seems like miles to operate both sets of paddles on your own.

 

I'll look out for you but dont be expecting me anytime soon. Gargrave is probably a week away at my rate of travel.

 

Both sets of paddles! you speedster ;-)

[Ange]

I'll look out for you but dont be expecting me anytime soon. Gargrave is probably a week away at my rate of travel.

 

Both sets of paddles! you speedster ;-)

 

lol I think we may just meet - we're planning two nights between Gargrave and Skipton (hubby's looking for an isolated spot where he can run the genny to fire up the power tools for some essential repairs) then a week in Skipton - meet you there maybe? (we may speed through locks but we do travel very slowly

[LoneWolf]

lol I think we may just meet - we're planning two nights between Gargrave and Skipton (hubby's looking for an isolated spot where he can run the genny to fire up the power tools for some essential repairs) then a week in Skipton - meet you there maybe? (we may speed through locks but we do travel very slowly

 

My plan is to show my face in Leeds sometime this month then turn round & find somewhere reasonable but near to spend the lockdown months. I tend to get through towns & cities fast as i can then hang out in the countryside for a couple of days before moving on so a meeting is probable.

You have power tools! I'll PM you when i'm through the badlands

 

I must say I'm liking this canal. The lockie geezer gave me a flounder today that he'd caught this morning - it was delicious

[Lady Muck]

I was advised today not to do Blackburn on the weekend.

Now I know some people are overly afeared of the feral youth but what do any local boaters reckon?

 

The only thing that ever really worries me sometimes is leaving the boat out of sight when i have to set locks

 

 

And any tips re the locks themselves would be handy - I did the first couple of Johnsons Hill solo today & they seemed a bit strange & unpredictable with a single boat in them compared to the GU locks. and those wierd gate paddles...

 

We did it (I think) on a weekend, it was in a heatwave in the evening. The kids were a great help with the swing bridges. It's not South Compton, LA, all though you'd think so from some other boating websites.

 

Edited to add I think they had a competition to baffle boaters when they designed the paddles and handcuff keys on the L&L - they're different every time - and because there's no way across the gates you have to walk what seems like miles to operate both sets of paddles on your own.

 

I thought it was the hardest canal to work of all, especially if there is only one or two of you. I also thought it was one of the most beautiful.

 

I heard alot of moaning and whinging about the Rochdale, but we had no problems at all, most of the lock gear is quite new and because BW escort you through the most difficult bits (removing rubbish from the locks and setting it for you before you arrive), it's alot easier than it would be were you on your own.

[Guest]

lol I think we may just meet - we're planning two nights between Gargrave and Skipton (hubby's looking for an isolated spot where he can run the genny to fire up the power tools for some essential repairs) then a week in Skipton - meet you there maybe? (we may speed through locks but we do travel very slowly

 

Some lovely spots between Holme House bridge lock and the edge of Skipton - we spent our first ever night on a canal boat moored on that stretch in October 2003.

 

 

Only thing we found this year was it was very difficult to get right in to the edge of the canal due to the water levels - you'll need your plank!!

[Lady Muck]

We passed through Blackburn recently - I think it was over the weekend. No problems at all - I think people are overly fearful because of isolated incidences which can happen anywhere.

 

I moor my boat permanently in so called no-go area Tottenham, it's because of this that I take it with a pinch of salt when people go on about bandits. There is maybe one incident a year on average that I'm affected by or hear about where we moor and it isn't enough to make me feel scared or move marinas.

 

Incidents can happen anywhere, they are more likely to happen in these areas, but chances are your journey will be trouble free.

[Guest]

I was advised today not to do Blackburn on the weekend.

Now I know some people are overly afeared of the feral youth but what do any local boaters reckon?

 

The only thing that ever really worries me sometimes is leaving the boat out of sight when i have to set locks

 

 

And any tips re the locks themselves would be handy - I did the first couple of Johnsons Hill solo today & they seemed a bit strange & unpredictable with a single boat in them compared to the GU locks. and those wierd gate paddles...

Only problem we had on the L&L (we didn't get as far as Blackburn) was in Shipley in 2003.

 

Some little darlings thought it would be fun to hurl some small stones at us as we passed under a bridge in the town - the best bit being this was just as their school teacher cycled past on the tow path - they got a right rollocking!!

[Hairy-Neil]

One of the most memorable evenings I've ever had whilst boating was spent in Burnley (at the Gannow Wharf PH). Just go and enjoy it.

[Naughty Cal]

"I tend to get through towns & cities fast as i can then hang out in the countryside for a couple of days "

 

I think this is a real shame. There are a lot of good town/city centre moorings around. Some of the best moorings we have found have been in towns and cities. Thats not to say we dont like country moorings because we do, there is something about mooring right in the heart of a town or city though. Free parking and bringing your own accomodation.

[Pluto]

I was advised today not to do Blackburn on the weekend.

Now I know some people are overly afeared of the feral youth but what do any local boaters reckon?

 

The only thing that ever really worries me sometimes is leaving the boat out of sight when i have to set locks

 

 

And any tips re the locks themselves would be handy - I did the first couple of Johnsons Hill solo today & they seemed a bit strange & unpredictable with a single boat in them compared to the GU locks. and those wierd gate paddles...

The best time is early morning, though the steerer on Blackburn's community boat says he rarely has any problems, but he does chat to people and not ignore them. And, yes, the GU pate paddles are a bit weird. Paddle gear on the L&L probably varies because, a) the canal took a long time to build, and there were at least four maintenance yards, each with their own particular style of gear.

[JohnEW2912]

We've been through Blackburn I think at least once a year since we got our own boat in 2003 and have never had any problems. I think all of those occasions have been at weekends as well. Take the usual sensible precautions you would anywhere else and you'll be fine.

[gaggle]

We had to moor overnight at blackburn locks "lock gate problem" and we had no trouble at all , the local kids knew boats would be there overnight they just told us which chippy they thought was best and left us and onother boat alone.

[RichardH]

Echo all of the above.

 

I think Blackburn has an unfair reputation.

[Janet S]

Indeed, Blackburn and Burnley both have an unfair and undeserved reputation. They are no worse than any other urban area, and we've never experienced any major problems in either location, apart from the usual weed hatch trips. I wouldn't recommend mooring in the centre of either of them, but that's just because we prefer to be out in the countryside. There are some rather nice places in between the two towns for mooring.

 

Let me know what day you're coming through, and I'll see if I can give you a hand with some lock-wheeling through Blackburn if you need it. It's only a quick bus ride away for me...

 

Janet

[LoneWolf]

Thanks everyone, very reassuring

 

I always try & do locks (and most travelling) in the morning

 

Plank? I have no plank (I've been hoping the cut will deliver one to me eventually) but I reckon that if i can get the boat near enough in to moor then I'll be ok jumping on & off.

I'm already perfecting my technique of testing mooring depth & backing off if too shallow

 

 

Probably tomorrow or Sunday Janet - i'll pm you my number if you're about. Weather looks like being rubbish though

[Guest]

Plank? I have no plank (I've been hoping the cut will deliver one to me eventually) but I reckon that if i can get the boat near enough in to moor then I'll be ok jumping on & off.

I'm already perfecting my technique of testing mooring depth & backing off if too shallow

 

Hi Lone wolf just to clarify I was talking about the stretch between Holme House Bridge lock and Skipton - it was particularly hard to find a spot there to moor close to the bank.

 

Going the other way as far away as towards Blackburn I'm note sure about depth and levels.

 

(My fault probably for taking it briefly)

[LoneWolf]

Hi Lone wolf just to clarify I was talking about the stretch between Holme House Bridge lock and Skipton - it was particularly hard to find a spot there to moor close to the bank.

 

Going the other way as far away as towards Blackburn I'm note sure about depth and levels.

 

(My fault probably for taking it briefly)

 

ok thanks for the clarification - thats useful info.

 

I'm looking forward to doing that bit. Reckon i'll be using the pole a lot there then.

Judging by the watermarks it's a bit shallower than normal where i am at the moment anyway

 

Any info re Blackburn to Leeds is not considered off topic by me ;-)

[Dalesman]

Hi Lone wolf just to clarify I was talking about the stretch between Holme House Bridge lock and Skipton - it was particularly hard to find a spot there to moor close to the bank.

 

Going the other way as far away as towards Blackburn I'm note sure about depth and levels.

 

(My fault probably for taking it briefly)

One or two good mooring spots on this stretch are as follows: offside just above or below HIGHGATE swing bridge No 173 on the steel piles. After THOLBY swing bridge No174 at the far end of the boat landing. At NIFFANY winding hole nice wall there..Most othere places have a ledge just under the water which stop you getting close to the bank. Plenty of good moorings at SKIPTON between bridges 178 & 177. Enjoy the Dales..

[LoneWolf]

One or two good mooring spots on this stretch are as follows: offside just above or below HIGHGATE swing bridge No 173 on the steel piles. After THOLBY swing bridge No174 at the far end of the boat landing. At NIFFANY winding hole nice wall there..Most othere places have a ledge just under the water which stop you getting close to the bank. Plenty of good moorings at SKIPTON between bridges 178 & 177. Enjoy the Dales..

 

Cheers Dalesman have made notes on the map.

Visited the Dales (by car & walking) a few years ago & found them beautiful...