booking the Rochdale ?

[narrowboatmick]

I'm sailing from Lyme to Todmorden with my second sailaway,the first one came by road a few years ago. ive heard that I no longer need to book to have locks opened etc.Does anyone know for certain? I will be travelling some time in February,many thanks , Mick.

Sailing in March not Feb, forgot about stoppages.

[Cheshire cat]

Where is Lyme would be my first question

[narrowboatmick]

It on the bridgewater canal and then on to the Rochdale canal where normally you would have to book at 2 different

places along route.However I have heard that this may have changed and no booking is necessary.But just trying to make

sure.Guess ive plenty of time to contact the recipients of my waterways license.

[Richard Fairhurst]

In theory you still need to book at Tuel Lane (the deep lock in Sowerby Bridge). But you don't need to book through the Manchester 18 locks or over the summit any more.

[narrowboatmick]

Thanks Richard, that's good news .Fortunatley not going as far as Tuel lane as parking up at marina in Todmorden to fit boat out.

[Mac of Cygnet]

You don't need to book anywhere on your route, but there are several winter closures which will severely restrict you in February. In fact looking at the Waterscape site only Feb 1st and 2nd are unrestricted on the Rochdale , and after the end of the month is OK.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Mac of Cygnet

[StarUKKiwi]

Where is Lyme would be my first question

Near Altrincham - north Cheshire on the Bridgewater but actually spelt Lymm; which is what maybe confused you? Not a long trip - hustlers of locks!

[narrowboatmick]

Thanks, just realised about the stoppages. Looking forward to it. Lived aboard my previous boat and slowly fitted it out over 2 years but never sailed much, about 15 miles, so this one a bit of an adventure, better start exercising for those stiff LOCKS.

[Dave_P]

Is that right Richard? Do they leave the lock gates unlocked now then?

[Mac of Cygnet]

Is that right Richard? Do they leave the lock gates unlocked now then?

 

I'm not Richard, but yes, that's right. However, restrictions can be (and have been) temporarily re-imposed especially at Summit if water is short, and the stretch coming up out of Manchester is still not recommended for mooring.

[Jim Riley]

First place to moor is Rose of Lancaster at chadderton, tho with a good crew you can get to slattocks in a day from piccadilly basin. Then an easy pootle through Rochdale to moor at Littleborough, or summit. Then 6hours down to baltimore at tod. Have fun.

[narrowboatmick]

Thanks Jim, is it 'safe' to moor up overnight at piccadilly basin as this seems the best bet after sailing up from Lymm then hopefully after mooring at piccadilly basin on up to The Rose of Lancaster the following day.

[Jim Riley]

Stayed there several times. Its possible to moor on the offside on the moorings below the flats, or used to be. Last time we came thru I moored where the queue forms to go through the first lock so we could be up and away. I was woken by someone banging on the side at 3am, " there's been a body found in the last lock (up from rochdale 9) you have to be available for questioning" "Eh?" replied I, half asleep, "police, you have to stay around for questioning" " show me your badge" "why does everyone ask me that?" and wanders off muttering. In the morning when I spoke to the officer guarding the blue taped lock he said it was a local, being cared for in the community, pretending to be an officer. But that only happened once and was no great worry.