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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2021 19:37:19 GMT
Well, CRT are promising updates on Tues and Weds about other South/North links but not expecting good news.
What horrors await me if I head north on the Trent instead? My knowledge/maps/guidebooks are currently in the realm of 'there be dragons there' so all comments welcome.
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 5, 2021 20:08:20 GMT
Well, CRT are promising updates on Tues and Weds about other South/North links but not expecting good news.
What horrors await me if I head north on the Trent instead? My knowledge/maps/guidebooks are currently in the realm of 'there be dragons there' so all comments welcome.
I’m not quite sure from/to where you are proposing. The Trent is a river of two halves, non-tidal and tidal. Non-tidal has mostly keeper operated locks so the single handing hassle is getting lines ashore front and rear. Personally I don’t think lines are necessary when going downhill but rules is rules! A few locks, including those on Beeston cut, are boater operated. The tidal trent is probably easier to do single handed because there are no locks (apart from those to get on and off the tidal section) but timing for tidal flow is important. TD’s domain! In our experience the trent is no big deal, provided you are properly prepared and (in the case of the tidal bit) have a boat that can run fast for long periods without overheating. And have an anchor.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2021 20:13:22 GMT
Well, CRT are promising updates on Tues and Weds about other South/North links but not expecting good news.
What horrors await me if I head north on the Trent instead? My knowledge/maps/guidebooks are currently in the realm of 'there be dragons there' so all comments welcome.
I’m not quite sure from/to where you are proposing. The Trent is a river of two halves, non-tidal and tidal. Non-tidal has mostly keeper operated locks so the single handing hassle is getting lines ashore front and rear. Personally I don’t think lines are necessary when going downhill but rules is rules! A few locks, including those on Beeston cut, are boater operated. The tidal trent is probably easier to do single handed because there are no locks (apart from those to get on and off the tidal section) but timing for tidal flow is important. TD’s domain! In our experience the trent is no big deal, provided you are properly prepared and (in the case of the tidal bit) have a boat that can run fast for long periods without overheating. And have an anchor. Thanks - if I do go that way I'll be heading up the Soar and then exiting at Keadby so effectively both halves.
PS it's upwards on the map!
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 5, 2021 20:21:37 GMT
Well it’s just a river like the Severn as far as Cromwell. Then you need to leave Cromwell at the right time for the tide. I think it is possible to do Cromwell to Keadby in one go, but it is a long drag (even though you cross the map remarkably quickly) and very limited ability to stop on the way. So I would recommend Cromwell to Torksey, where there is a long length of safe pontoon moorings, then Torksey to Keadby on a different tide.
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 5, 2021 20:24:08 GMT
But in terms of getting to the north east, isn’t the stoppage on the A&C problematic for that route?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2021 20:26:40 GMT
But in terms of getting to the north east, isn’t the stoppage on the A&C problematic for that route? Want to head over the Pennines so I think the area I want to explore will be free from stoppages.
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 5, 2021 20:31:16 GMT
I thought the breach on the A&C affected the new Jn canal? Someone will be along to confirm or refute. Maybe with the coffer dam in place the new Jn is rewatered?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2021 20:39:14 GMT
That's exactly the route I took (in October) many moons ago. Its really no big deal in normal circumstances providing you pay close attention to tide times. It is possible to get to Keadby on one tide, but have the numbers for the lockies at the other exits in case it is obvious you won't make it. However, in case you find yourself (for whatever reason) a bit stuck on the Trent remember its quite shallow at the edges (where the current is least strong) so if you have an anchor there is no real need to panic. Some additional factors to consider: - there is a tidal bore sometimes (twice a year?) and you can do without being there for it.
- if its been raining heavily the tide will be higher than predicted & the current will be stronger than usual.
- in times of high atmospheric pressure the tides will be lower and vice-versa but its a bit academic.
There is a pilot book you can buy, published by a local club, which outlines the major pitfalls. One of them is a submerged island on a right-hand bend which it is possible to go aground on. Being entirely ignorant of it at the time, I did just that. No big problem though, I just poled off and continued. The Trent is easy in good weather. Other opinions are available (and I suspect will arrive quite shortly).
Ps I'd go again, can I come?
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 5, 2021 20:39:27 GMT
I checked the stoppages. No the NJ canal is open, but levels are reduced a bit and there is once daily passage through the locks
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2021 20:47:24 GMT
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Post by JohnV on Apr 5, 2021 20:50:41 GMT
When I was last down the Trent from the junction with the Soar, the locks all the way to Cromwell were boater operated (Key operated) unless there was commercial traffic on the move. (Gravel traffic still on the go then) It's all very benign and although I was only single handing a small low powered canal cruiser I had no trouble with any of it and in fact it was a very pleasant and easy trip.
Nick saying they were manned surprised me. In those days the locks were only manned when there was a barge expected.
From Cromwell on down, I would suggest you don't go on a big tide and unless you are in a tearing hurry, break the trip. There is a pontoon at Dunham Bridges or better still, get into the lock cut at Torksey.(If they are open by then there is a decent pub a short walk from the layby berths in the cut. It isn't a trip to worry about but you do need to prepare properly (including your boat, anchor etc)..... if you are not in a hurry a call at West Stockwith and a side trip on the Chesterfield is pleasant. There is a guide published for the Trent that is a bit more informative than Nicholsons or the like and I reckon worth having. The entrance to Keadby can have quite strong currents and you do see a few people making a hash of it but usually it is only pride that suffers. It's a trip that can be a bit more exiting with a barge or a tug and tows but it's done by very large numbers of narrowboats every year.
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 5, 2021 20:56:21 GMT
That's exactly the route I took (in October) many moons ago. Its really no big deal in normal circumstances providing you pay close attention to tide times. It is possible to get to Keadby on one tide, but have the numbers for the lockies at the other exits in case it is obvious you won't make it. However, in case you find yourself (for whatever reason) a bit stuck on the Trent remember its quite shallow at the edges (where the current is least strong) so if you have an anchor there is no real need to panic. Some additional factors to consider: - there is a tidal bore sometimes (twice a year?) and you can do without being there for it.
- if its been raining heavily the tide will be higher than predicted & the current will be stronger than usual.
- in times of high atmospheric pressure the tides will be lower and vice-versa but its a bit academic.
There is a pilot book you can buy, published by a local club, which outlines the major pitfalls. One of them is a submerged island on a right-hand bend which it is possible to go aground on. Being entirely ignorant of it at the time, I did just that. No big problem though, I just poled off and continued. The Trent is easy in good weather. Other opinions are available (and I suspect will arrive quite shortly).
Ps I'd go again, can I come?
Just for clarity you don’t need to go through the lock to get “off the river” at Torksey. Which makes it much easier because cleanly entering the other locks (W Stockwith and Keadby) when there is a strong flow on the tidal river, can be tricky. Torksey is totally benign and a great “Sanctuary” from the tidal river. But in fact the river is not scary. UNLESS there is a lot of “fresh” (rainwater flow) or mistimed tides.
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 5, 2021 21:06:37 GMT
When I was last down the Trent from the junction with the Soar, the locks all the way to Cromwell were boater operated (Key operated) unless there was commercial traffic on the move. (Gravel traffic still on the go then) It's all very benign and although I was only single handing a small low powered canal cruiser I had no trouble with any of it and in fact it was a very pleasant and easy trip. Nick saying they were manned surprised me. In those days the locks were only manned when there was a barge expected. From Cromwell on down, I would suggest you don't go on a big tide and unless you are in a tearing hurry, break the trip. There is a pontoon at Dunham Bridges or better still, get into the lock cut at Torksey.(If they are open by then there is a decent pub a short walk from the layby berths in the cut. It isn't a trip to worry about but you do need to prepare properly (including your boat, anchor etc)..... if you are not in a hurry a call at West Stockwith and a side trip on the Chesterfield is pleasant. There is a guide published for the Trent that is a bit more informative than Nicholsons or the like and I reckon worth having. The entrance to Keadby can have quite strong currents and you do see a few people making a hash of it but usually it is only pride that suffers. It's a trip that can be a bit more exiting with a barge or a tug and tows but it's done by very large numbers of narrowboats every year. (from memory) Cranfleet is manual but with Volockies most of the time, locks on the Cranfleet cut are boater operated. But east/north of Nottingham they are push button and volockie operated during “working hours”, however they can be boater operated out of hours. Except for the tidal bit - Cromwell, Torksey, W Stockwith and Keadby which are CRT operated only. By CRT I think I mean mostly volockies these days.
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Post by JohnV on Apr 5, 2021 21:11:17 GMT
When I was last down the Trent from the junction with the Soar, the locks all the way to Cromwell were boater operated (Key operated) unless there was commercial traffic on the move. (Gravel traffic still on the go then) It's all very benign and although I was only single handing a small low powered canal cruiser I had no trouble with any of it and in fact it was a very pleasant and easy trip. Nick saying they were manned surprised me. In those days the locks were only manned when there was a barge expected. From Cromwell on down, I would suggest you don't go on a big tide and unless you are in a tearing hurry, break the trip. There is a pontoon at Dunham Bridges or better still, get into the lock cut at Torksey.(If they are open by then there is a decent pub a short walk from the layby berths in the cut. It isn't a trip to worry about but you do need to prepare properly (including your boat, anchor etc)..... if you are not in a hurry a call at West Stockwith and a side trip on the Chesterfield is pleasant. There is a guide published for the Trent that is a bit more informative than Nicholsons or the like and I reckon worth having. The entrance to Keadby can have quite strong currents and you do see a few people making a hash of it but usually it is only pride that suffers. It's a trip that can be a bit more exiting with a barge or a tug and tows but it's done by very large numbers of narrowboats every year. (from memory) Cranfleet is manual but with Volockies most of the time, locks on the Cranfleet cut are boater operated. But east/north of Nottingham they are push button and volockie operated during “working hours”, however they can be boater operated out of hours. Except for the tidal bit - Cromwell, Torksey, W Stockwith and Keadby which are CRT operated only. By CRT I think I mean mostly volockies these days. AFAIK all the tidal locks are proper locky operated ..... there is a legal problems for volockies/public operating out onto a tidal river (same way Naburn and Selby are proper lockies)
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Post by Telemachus on Apr 5, 2021 21:16:16 GMT
(from memory) Cranfleet is manual but with Volockies most of the time, locks on the Cranfleet cut are boater operated. But east/north of Nottingham they are push button and volockie operated during “working hours”, however they can be boater operated out of hours. Except for the tidal bit - Cromwell, Torksey, W Stockwith and Keadby which are CRT operated only. By CRT I think I mean mostly volockies these days. AFAIK all the tidal locks are proper locky operated ..... there is a legal problems for volockies/public operating out onto a tidal river (same way Naburn and Selby are proper lockies) Pretty sure that is no longer the case, I think there is now a mixture of proper lockies and volockies on the tidal locks on the trent and Ouse. And if there is a mixture, you can be sure which way it’s heading... Torksey I’m 99% sure is volunteer now.
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