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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2021 23:22:56 GMT
I set off to potter along for maybe two hours en route to the next sanitation station, passing one which is officially closed, but I am (boater advised) can still be used! This is the L&L, with the usual pattern of broken structures and varied types of leaking locks. Paired up with a hire boat land crewed by diminutive lady who was struggling to use the windlass, progress slow. A guy came along and instructed us to stop for fifteen minutes, until he returned (water), assumed he was CRT employee, in mufti. We stopped as instructed but later, much later, decided to press on, so lock 2 took us to an hour's travel, and about 200m. CRT guy re-appeared, explained something, which neither of us could comprehend, more water problems, also boater problems. Advised us we could use the next lock only if we knew exactly what we were doing, which obviously "we" did not, a vlockie turned up and was asked to re-set the paddles, which he did, but did not stay to help, but reappeared later. Our land crew, one small, elderly lady only ever did the turning of her windlass, usually one side at a time, and slowly, which meant each lock took at least an hour to fill. Husband, much fitter seemed oblivious to her struggles and twice I remonstrated with him, as she was physically unable to work the locks and levers, she struggled to push the beams. He seemed oblivious, he chatted merrily to me all day, it was a long day. Eventually got through six locks, three miles, in six hours. Another boater did help us, for a bit, but only because we were holding him up. I can't imagine how anyone could think this type of boating is fun, I had dinner at 5.00 pm, and went to bed early. Singlehanding, as I do, I am most grateful for all assistance, and try to re-pay as much as I can, particularly hire boaters but I try not to slow others progress, and happilly wait around, or help established pairs through. It has been suggested that the L&L is not great for genuine cc boaters singlehanding, but it is close to family, so I hoped it would prove suitable for restricted winter cruising, I can see me bridge hopping in the Skipton area from November to March, stoppages permitting.
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Post by quaysider on Sept 15, 2021 6:29:44 GMT
I feel your pain with the L & L - it really isn't much fun doing it on your own... or with a crew member that hasn't the ooomph to push/wind or pull. chin up and find your best smile for those 21 swing bridges between bingley and skipton... you'll need it to rope in passers by.
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Post by JohnV on Sept 15, 2021 6:37:46 GMT
It all depends where and when.
When I am the only boat and single handing I often amble along using paddles/gates just on one side. A lot depends on the weather, if it's nice and you are in nice scenery and there is plenty of beer on board it suits me well. Sitting on a lock beam with the sun shining listening to the birds singing while you wait to feel the beam twitch ....... that is very enjoyable, lazy boating
Obviously I speed up a bit if I have paired up with another boat or get a real jaldi jaldi on if I need to get somewhere.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 7:09:44 GMT
I really wanted to tackle the northern reaches of the canal network when i got the boat, funnily enough its no longer on my list, maybe i am a softie with the midland canals, mostly working locks, no swing bridges, no scrotes...
I am sure the views are to die for but i shall never go any further than Anderton i believe.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 7:10:07 GMT
It all depends where and when. When I am the only boat and single handing I often amble along using paddles/gates just on one side. A lot depends on the weather, if it's nice and you are in nice scenery and there is plenty of beer on board it suits me well. Sitting on a lock beam with the sun shining listening to the birds singing while you wait to feel the beam twitch ....... that is very enjoyable, lazy boating Obviously I speed up a bit if I have paired up with another boat or get a real jaldi jaldi on if I need to get somewhere. Pairing up on the L&L is pretty much essential, due to frequent swing bridges and numerous hire boats: many small boats with absolute novice crew. It usually works well enough without detracting from the scenic stretches. Yesterday, a dozen or so boats had been grounded overnight (paddle left open), so they were all bunched up anyway, but I'm going to put all that behind me and set off after b'fast, with home made bread, and fresh coffee. I spy a glimmer of sunshine ☀️
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 7:16:25 GMT
I really wanted to tackle the northern reaches of the canal network when i got the boat, funnily enough its no longer on my list, maybe i am a softie with the midland canals, mostly working locks, no swing bridges, no scrotes... I am sure the views are to die for but i shall never go any further than Anderton i believe. Yes, I think I might have drawn the short straw on this canal, others have mentioned lack of maintenance being a key feature, plus swing bridges, which can be well out in the country, not a big problem in summer, but I imagine they could be difficult with winter traffic and shorter days.
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Post by JohnV on Sept 15, 2021 7:23:28 GMT
It all depends where and when. When I am the only boat and single handing I often amble along using paddles/gates just on one side. A lot depends on the weather, if it's nice and you are in nice scenery and there is plenty of beer on board it suits me well. Sitting on a lock beam with the sun shining listening to the birds singing while you wait to feel the beam twitch ....... that is very enjoyable, lazy boating Obviously I speed up a bit if I have paired up with another boat or get a real jaldi jaldi on if I need to get somewhere. Pairing up on the L&L is pretty much essential, due to frequent swing bridges and numerous hire boats: many small boats with absolute novice crew. It usually works well enough without detracting from the scenic stretches. Yesterday, a dozen or so boats had been grounded overnight (paddle left open), so they were all bunched up anyway, but I'm going to put all that behind me and set off after b'fast, with home made bread, and fresh coffee. I spy a glimmer of sunshine ☀️ I would disagree with "pretty much essential" I did it (partly single handing and partly with a elderly crew member) and although sometimes a certain level of both ingenuity and agility is needed to single hand some of the lift bridges but I didn't find any of it where I would say pairing up is essential. (at that time I was late 60's so I wasn't a spring chicken)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 7:46:40 GMT
I can't speak for single handing ... but it's no secret that the L&L is hard work, with frequent maintenance and water issues, heavy lock mechanisms and swing bridges.
However to many it is still magnificent.
We tend to adjust our travel expectations downwards each day, to better suit that waterway
The benefits of magnificent country to explore on a very quiet waterway, to us far outweigh the extra effort required.
Rog
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Post by kris on Sept 15, 2021 8:05:32 GMT
I really wanted to tackle the northern reaches of the canal network when i got the boat, funnily enough its no longer on my list, maybe i am a softie with the midland canals, mostly working locks, no swing bridges, no scrotes... I am sure the views are to die for but i shall never go any further than Anderton i believe. Good that’s what we like, all you soft southerners can stay down there.
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Post by peterboat on Sept 15, 2021 8:11:21 GMT
I set off to potter along for maybe two hours en route to the next sanitation station, passing one which is officially closed, but I am (boater advised) can still be used! This is the L&L, with the usual pattern of broken structures and varied types of leaking locks. Paired up with a hire boat land crewed by diminutive lady who was struggling to use the windlass, progress slow. A guy came along and instructed us to stop for fifteen minutes, until he returned (water), assumed he was CRT employee, in mufti. We stopped as instructed but later, much later, decided to press on, so lock 2 took us to an hour's travel, and about 200m. CRT guy re-appeared, explained something, which neither of us could comprehend, more water problems, also boater problems. Advised us we could use the next lock only if we knew exactly what we were doing, which obviously "we" did not, a vlockie turned up and was asked to re-set the paddles, which he did, but did not stay to help, but reappeared later. Our land crew, one small, elderly lady only ever did the turning of her windlass, usually one side at a time, and slowly, which meant each lock took at least an hour to fill. Husband, much fitter seemed oblivious to her struggles and twice I remonstrated with him, as she was physically unable to work the locks and levers, she struggled to push the beams. He seemed oblivious, he chatted merrily to me all day, it was a long day. Eventually got through six locks, three miles, in six hours. Another boater did help us, for a bit, but only because we were holding him up. I can't imagine how anyone could think this type of boating is fun, I had dinner at 5.00 pm, and went to bed early. Singlehanding, as I do, I am most grateful for all assistance, and try to re-pay as much as I can, particularly hire boaters but I try not to slow others progress, and happilly wait around, or help established pairs through. It has been suggested that the L&L is not great for genuine cc boaters singlehanding, but it is close to family, so I hoped it would prove suitable for restricted winter cruising, I can see me bridge hopping in the Skipton area from November to March, stoppages permitting. Lots of boats bridge hop in that area in the winter, so you will have company which is a good thing, I had a friend that did it for a year or two with no issues
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Post by Mr Stabby on Sept 15, 2021 8:12:21 GMT
I really wanted to tackle the northern reaches of the canal network when i got the boat, funnily enough its no longer on my list, maybe i am a softie with the midland canals, mostly working locks, no swing bridges, no scrotes... I am sure the views are to die for but i shall never go any further than Anderton i believe. Good that’s what we like, all you soft southerners can stay down there. Twerp is a Northerner. The North begins at Watford Gap services.
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Post by twbm2 on Sept 15, 2021 8:12:43 GMT
I really wanted to tackle the northern reaches of the canal network when i got the boat, funnily enough its no longer on my list, maybe i am a softie with the midland canals, mostly working locks, no swing bridges, no scrotes... I am sure the views are to die for but i shall never go any further than Anderton i believe. Good that’s what we like, all you soft southerners can stay down there. 'explained something, which neither of us could comprehend' 'no scrotes'Aye - it's grim up North .... best stay away.
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Post by Jim on Sept 15, 2021 8:20:20 GMT
I set off to potter along for maybe two hours en route to the next sanitation station, passing one which is officially closed, but I am (boater advised) can still be used! This is the L&L, with the usual pattern of broken structures and varied types of leaking locks. Paired up with a hire boat land crewed by diminutive lady who was struggling to use the windlass, progress slow. A guy came along and instructed us to stop for fifteen minutes, until he returned (water), assumed he was CRT employee, in mufti. We stopped as instructed but later, much later, decided to press on, so lock 2 took us to an hour's travel, and about 200m. CRT guy re-appeared, explained something, which neither of us could comprehend, more water problems, also boater problems. Advised us we could use the next lock only if we knew exactly what we were doing, which obviously "we" did not, a vlockie turned up and was asked to re-set the paddles, which he did, but did not stay to help, but reappeared later. Our land crew, one small, elderly lady only ever did the turning of her windlass, usually one side at a time, and slowly, which meant each lock took at least an hour to fill. Husband, much fitter seemed oblivious to her struggles and twice I remonstrated with him, as she was physically unable to work the locks and levers, she struggled to push the beams. He seemed oblivious, he chatted merrily to me all day, it was a long day. Eventually got through six locks, three miles, in six hours. Another boater did help us, for a bit, but only because we were holding him up. I can't imagine how anyone could think this type of boating is fun, I had dinner at 5.00 pm, and went to bed early. Singlehanding, as I do, I am most grateful for all assistance, and try to re-pay as much as I can, particularly hire boaters but I try not to slow others progress, and happilly wait around, or help established pairs through. It has been suggested that the L&L is not great for genuine cc boaters singlehanding, but it is close to family, so I hoped it would prove suitable for restricted winter cruising, I can see me bridge hopping in the Skipton area from November to March, stoppages permitting. Am I right in reading that you stayed on your boat too, or did you get off with your windlass and work one side at least?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 8:25:32 GMT
Pairing up on the L&L is pretty much essential, due to frequent swing bridges and numerous hire boats: many small boats with absolute novice crew. It usually works well enough without detracting from the scenic stretches. Yesterday, a dozen or so boats had been grounded overnight (paddle left open), so they were all bunched up anyway, but I'm going to put all that behind me and set off after b'fast, with home made bread, and fresh coffee. I spy a glimmer of sunshine ☀️ I would disagree with "pretty much essential" I did it (partly single handing and partly with a elderly crew member) and although sometimes a certain level of both ingenuity and agility is needed to single hand some of the lift bridges but I didn't find any of it where I would say pairing up is essential. (at that time I was late 60's so I wasn't a spring chicken)
If everyone singled through locks, (they are double width locks), it would double the water usage, plus queues would build up during the day, particularly when tackling sets of locks rather than individuals. I find it much better all round to double up, which would happen naturally as I am self confessed slow locker. I often wait for boats coming in the opposite direction at swing bridges, it does not slow them down, and if one comes up behind me, they don't mind putting me through. If they are hire boats, or day boats they may need help to come alongside anyways. It rarely happens that one is pressed in to staying with a companion who has some idea that ferocious use of the engine both inside and while exiting locks is a skill to be practiced enthusiastically, developing at one stage in to a race down the navigation past moored boats towards a blind bend, meanwhile abandoning his crew! PS, I was relatively fit age 55, not so much at 65, and much less so now. There is no reason to take risks leaping about the artefacts, as I have all day to accomplish each task. I managed singlehanding on the powered locks of the Aire and Calder, which were well maintained, efficient and PREDICTABLE, but the L&L is a beast of a different species. I don't think I could guarantee controlling my boat with the centre line while trying to control the flow of water with door paddles and ground paddles.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2021 9:18:56 GMT
I really wanted to tackle the northern reaches of the canal network when i got the boat, funnily enough its no longer on my list, maybe i am a softie with the midland canals, mostly working locks, no swing bridges, no scrotes... I am sure the views are to die for but i shall never go any further than Anderton i believe. Good that’s what we like, all you soft southerners can stay down there. Apart from I'm not a southerner... Don't you lurk around Nottingham?
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