The Rochdale 9 locks

[DeanS]

Thought I would mention that when we came up the Rochdale9 about a week ago, we paired with another boat. They had ladies doing the paddles/gates, and they really (including my wife) couldnt open most of them. I had to do it. Half way we met a hire boater and his wife. He was on the tiller, and she was doing the paddles. She had a bandage on her arm, having been injured by the windlass on one of the top locks. I felt so sorry for her. They had just completed the Ashton 18 locks the same day, and she said those were easy, but she couldnt actually manage the Rochdale 9 down into Castlefield. I kept telling her...dont worry...a few more locks, and you've got 40miles of lockless beauty on the Bridgewater.

 

Be careful out there ladies ..and if anyone has connections with the Manchester BW people, some extra grease might help?

[Domino_2]

...dont worry...a few more locks, and you've got 40miles of lockless beauty on the Bridgewater.Be careful out there ladies

 

..and if anyone has connections with the Manchester BW people, some extra grease might help?

 

Without wishing to be pedantic.... the Bridgewater canal is only 39 miles, - bridgewater canal linky

 

At least the Rochdale 9, is only 9 locks - could be worse.

 

Edited to include link

Edited May 9, 2012 by Domino_2

[DeanS]

Without wishing to be pedantic.... the Bridgewater canal is only 39 miles, (see My link

 

At least the Rochdale 9, is only 9 locks - could be worse.

 

Not if you lose the cat, and have to travel a mile back to find it.

ETA,,,that would make it 41...duhhh

Edited May 9, 2012 by DeanS

[Chertsey]

Dear god, when will these women learn to steer.

[system 4-50]

Is there a technical specification for the bit on the paddle gear where your lock key fits? Does it have a "size"?

I'd like to get myself a decent leverage ratcheted lock key, get it made if necessary, and knowing this would help.

Thats before I get to the Rochdale 9!

[chazzy]

Shire cruisers had a windlass like this on their hire boats, ideal for the Rochdale I'm sure they have them for sale.

 

[Guest]

Dear god, when will these women learn to steer.

 

I still often encounter female lock wheelers who stare in admiration as Jan deftly slots the Dog House into a lock - and say something like 'gosh I wish I could do that' - or 'You have taught her well'. (luckily Jan can't hear them over the sound of the engine, particularly if they say the latter....)

 

When I enquire as to why they don't steer I often get back 'He won't let me' or 'oh no I would never be able do that'.

Edited May 9, 2012 by MJG

[Chertsey]

I still often encounter female lock wheelers who stare in admiration as Jan deftly slots the Dog House into a lock - and say something like 'gosh I wish I could do that' - or 'You have taught her well'. (luckily Jan can't hear them over the sound of the engine, particularly if they say the latter....)

 

When I enquire as to why they don't steer I often get back 'He won't let me' or 'oh no I would never be able do that'.

Heartbreaking, isn't it.

[Guest]

Heartbreaking, isn't it.

 

Jan has actually become a much more competent low speed steerer than me I found this week. She finds standing for long periods difficult due to a deteriorating knee joint (which for the same reason she finds it difficult to climb about the locks) so does not do much of the steering while cruising.

 

We were crewed up this week so she was having a complete spell off doing the steering and my daughters boyfriend was doing the locks, leaving me to ahem

 

'deftly slot the Dog House into the locks' -

 

Luckily it was windy (Well a bit!) so I could blame that....

[allybsc]

Heartbreaking, isn't it.

 

I'm afraid I'm one of them. I've not steered the boat since I did my helmsmans course. I like doing the locks and the OH likes steering, he does get off and help me tho' if I need it. He usually closes the back gates and drops one paddle (going down)as I'm ambling up the lock to do the others. I have decided it's about time I gave myself a refresher course so this summer I'm going to make myself steer more.

[Chertsey]

I will confess now that I was a slow starter. It doesn't take much discouragement to lower someone's confidence to the point where it's easier not to try. The way other people respond to things going wrong - which they invariably will - is crucial. I had to make a determined effort not to be put off by criticism, impatience, things going wrong, but it has paid off a hundred fold. It is not just the practicality of being able to steer interchangeably, but the satisfaction of mastering a skill through perseverance, and the sheer joy of steering a boat. I was the least physically confident, most unco-ordinated, smallest and feeblest person you could hope to meet, so if I can do it, anyone can.

[Jo_]

I could, but I don't. I like locking, he likes driving. I like gossiping, he likes watching clouds while the lock fills (or empties). I drive on the canals when he wants a breather, or a visit to the loo, or to watch the clouds. It's just a routine that suits us.

 

and, when I do take the boat through the locks, he's watching intently, offering advice, wincing or gasping .... is it worth it I ask myself??

 

Mind you, when we have rellys and friends and we're out for the day without him (work!), guess who drives the locks THEN!!

[Chertsey]

I could, but I don't. I like locking, he likes driving. I like gossiping, he likes watching clouds while the lock fills (or empties). I drive on the canals when he wants a breather, or a visit to the loo, or to watch the clouds. It's just a routine that suits us.

 

and, when I do take the boat through the locks, he's watching intently, offering advice, wincing or gasping .... is it worth it I ask myself??

 

Mind you, when we have rellys and friends and we're out for the day without him (work!), guess who drives the locks THEN!!

Just the sort of thing I mean

[Tonka]

It is the Rochdale 8 as the lower one is on the Bridgewater canal

[RLWP]

It is the Rochdale 8 as the lower one is on the Bridgewater canal

 

Like the Delph Nine then

 

Richard

[allybsc]

I will confess now that I was a slow starter. It doesn't take much discouragement to lower someone's confidence to the point where it's easier not to try. The way other people respond to things going wrong - which they invariably will - is crucial. I had to make a determined effort not to be put off by criticism, impatience, things going wrong, but it has paid off a hundred fold. It is not just the practicality of being able to steer interchangeably, but the satisfaction of mastering a skill through perseverance, and the sheer joy of steering a boat. I was the least physically confident, most unco-ordinated, smallest and feeblest person you could hope to meet, so if I can do it, anyone can.

 

I do think I lost my confidence after a few near misses that weren't really my fault, I ended up in a pickle and didn't try again. If I can take things slowly and not meet another boat then I'm fine, I can wind OK even with the push pull/speedwheel controls I just worry about all the things that can go wrong. I do like being up on the lockside chinwagging so it's been an easy thing to let go. BTW We've eventually joined the HNBC got the OH to write the cheque.

[Chertsey]

I do think I lost my confidence after a few near misses that weren't really my fault, I ended up in a pickle and didn't try again. If I can take things slowly and not meet another boat then I'm fine, I can wind OK even with the push pull/speedwheel controls I just worry about all the things that can go wrong. I do like being up on the lockside chinwagging so it's been an easy thing to let go. BTW We've eventually joined the HNBC got the OH to write the cheque.

Oh do give it another go!!!

Look forward to seeing you at some Hysterical Boat do.

[Magic Potion]

I will confess now that I was a slow starter. It doesn't take much discouragement to lower someone's confidence to the point where it's easier not to try. The way other people respond to things going wrong - which they invariably will - is crucial. I had to make a determined effort not to be put off by criticism, impatience, things going wrong, but it has paid off a hundred fold. It is not just the practicality of being able to steer interchangeably, but the satisfaction of mastering a skill through perseverance, and the sheer joy of steering a boat. I was the least physically confident, most unco-ordinated, smallest and feeblest person you could hope to meet, so if I can do it, anyone can.

 

When we hired at Easter, I had to fight to steer! The OH was in her element, having steered Cleopatra in her teens and Grange a few years later, she got the bug back(her parents were liveaboards). We split locking/steering between us and it worked really well.

[allybsc]

Oh do give it another go!!!

Look forward to seeing you at some Hysterical Boat do.

 

I will, it's got to be done. Look forward to seeing you too, we hope to be all hysterical before the year is out!

[Little Else]

I lost my confidence when I got bitten by Debdale Lock and stopped steering. The lord high Pooh Bah jumps off and helps whenever possible and I think we've got quite a good system going. I have also learnt to enjoy locking and go at my own pace, I enjoy the socializing in the summer and the exercise with the reasoning that the greater the difficulty the larger the gins at the end of the day. I will however make an exception for the Rochdale 9 and the Ashton 18. They were foul and only enlivened by the gay porn at one of the locks. I learnt quite a bit that day one way or another!

[Rod a mod from Tod]

It is the Rochdale 8 as the lower one is on the Bridgewater canal

 

Why is it Dukes Lock number 92 then.

[Ray T]

You could always sing whilst doing The Rochdale 9.

 

http://www.waterwaysongs.co.uk/rochdale.htm

[David Mack]

It is the Rochdale 8 as the lower one is on the Bridgewater canal

 

[panto] Oh no it isn't! [/panto]

[Canal Rat]

I have fond memories of the Rochdale 9. First nine locks we ever did.

 

Bought my boat on the Lancaster but couldn't get through the Ribble Link in time for moving onto the boat so had to get it lifted out at Garstang and then trucked down down to Lymm. When we got to the first lock I was so unsure what to do .......... the sun was out and the bier garden next to the lock was heaving! Kept walking up to the lock, having a look then walking back to the boat. Did that about 4 times and as luck would have it, the heavens opened and cleared the bier garden so we went for it. The local stoners and piss heads were very helpful and sometimes a little over friendly for the wife's liking but she can hold her own The only trouble we had was one of the top gates in one of the locks had water pouring over it so I had to push it open with the boat.

 

After we related our experiences to those we met they agreed if we could get through those nine locks then we'd be OK for the rest of the country ( in a rather loose sense! ) and with the Standage Tunnel reckoned that we had the batism of fire

 

Stuck in Sheply Bridge dry dock having blacking done at the mo so if you pass give me a hoot

 

Rock On!

Rat

[pevil]

Jan has actually become a much more competent low speed steerer than me I found this week. She finds standing for long periods difficult due to a deteriorating knee joint (which for the same reason she finds it difficult to climb about the locks) so does not do much of the steering while cruising.

 

We were crewed up this week so she was having a complete spell off doing the steering and my daughters boyfriend was doing the locks, leaving me to ahem

 

'deftly slot the Dog House into the locks' -

 

Luckily it was windy (Well a bit!) so I could blame that....

 

Same here Martin, my wife manages to get Tickety into the locks far better than myself but like you I usually have an excuse.