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thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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 Posted -
09/01/2008
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12:36
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This now supercedes the earlier topic and is specifically aimed at all who are involved, Plus I do not like making spelling mistakes. First of all the current weather forcast for Skipton is: Saturday; showers, high 5, low 2. Sunday; showers, high 7, low 3. Not brilliant, but not like last night when for the first time ever I saw snow being driven horizontaly and illuminated by violent lighting!. With the lack of traffic on the cut at this time we may not have to empty locks before entering. A few tech, bits next. Summit - the highest section of a canal, ours is the highest of all twixt Greenberfield and Barrowford. Top of flight, section above flight, bottom of flight, that section below. This of course becomes in turn the top if you are going down. The section between locks in a flight are called pounds.. Locks have a head; top, and a tail; bottom. Each lock has six "paddles" two of these are ground paddles and are situated at either side in the canal banking above the head gates. These allow water into the lock at low level and are always opened first, some are opened with a lever and the rest with a rack and pinion, operated with a windlass NOT TO BE DROPPED INTO THE CUT, Two more paddles are one in each of the head gates and should not be opened until the water has risen above them, windlass operated, the remaing two are in each of the tail gates. These two need not concern us on this trip When using a windlass, after raising the paddle, engage the "Pawl" on the gear before doing anything else. Never let the weight of the paddle take charge. Safety is paramount, know what you are doing first. Sadly a dropped windless was the cause of multiple deaths at Gargrave a few years ago. Swing bridges, there are quite few between Silsden and Gargrave, some are often open. To open these, first cross the bridge and using a "necklace key" remove the chain device which secures the bridge beam. push the beam to bring the bridge parallel to the cut reducing the effort before helps to prevent the bridge from bouncing back into the path of the oncoming boat, hold the beam until the boat is clear, this caution also aplies to lock gate beams. Returning the bridge is the reversal of this operation. Someone on a bike can be very useful when attempting a "fast passage" but if there are other people about, take your bike over the bridge with you, its not funny when your iron is off down the towpath in the hands of a stranger. Someone on a bike can go ahead and ready the bridge or lock two is even better. I hope that this is of some help to whoever comes along and is unsure of events. But to all who come, Welcome and thank you. Keep safe and as warm and dry as is possible.
thomo
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Travis
Regular Member
91 Posts
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Posted - 12/01/2008 : 21:02
Well that was a good day!. There was a little rain early on, but it turned out nice later, perhaps a liitle cold. Gawd help us tomorrow, awful day forecast.
No problems to worry about with the boat, it runs a treat. It moves along a mite slower than a narrowboat, hence the reason we were a teeny weeny bit behind schedule.
We were hoping to set off tomorrow around 9am. BUT...my car died on the Skipton bypass on the way home tonight. I'm towing it in early in the morning and after consulting Cally we have decided it will be about 10am when we leave Bank Newton. That means a two hour or so sail to Greenberfield Locks will get us there around lunchtime, 2pm will see us at Lower Park marina.
Peter,Ian,Frank and Jane, Heather and Elaine, you all did very well today seeing it was your first trip as a crew. I hope I didn't drive you too hard! I know where to look the next time we need a crash crew for Travis.
Night all, Andy.
Deeds not words.  |
moh
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Posted - 12/01/2008 : 21:13
No we did not see you Rossie - nor Ringo - shame I did not get Callie's mobile number. We went into Gargrave when there was no sign at Bank Newton (we were early) then back to Bank Newton and on the back lanes to East Marton and again to Bank Newton - there was a boat coming through the Gargrave last lock so we waited but it was a narrow boat. The guy said he had been up since 8am and no boat had passed him so we came home via Greenber. He had just bought his boat and could not find a mooring, he said the canal 'police' were clamping down and he had to keep moving or they would crane his boat out of the water. Maybe will see you at Greenber in the morning.
Say only a little but say it well |
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 12/01/2008 : 23:32
Are there enough bods for Sunday, if not, I can help but would require transport, any offers call 01282 861961 after 0900. If I dont see you, then good luck and God speed.
thomo |
panbiker
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Posted - 12/01/2008 : 23:56
Thomo, the guy that Moh saw would have been the one that filled all the locks. I thought there was only us lot mad enough to be out and about. Just going to have a half hour in the bath now and then bed, Oh Yes!
I don't know whether I'll be up and about early on but will probably make it down to the locks. Might as well do another 3. Lead me to the Radox!
Ian |
belle
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 00:28
Well done with getting as far as you did and good luck for tommorrow. I am humming the mission impossible theme tune as I type...didn't expect you to be invisible as well as invincible!
Life is what you make it |
Rossie
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 00:31
When I was at Gargrave I noted the filled locks and presumed it was you folks and you had already passed through when in reality you hadn't yet reached Gargrave, anyway the dog & I left and went on to Bank Newton, where again the locks were filled. I assumed you really had made excellent time and you were ahead of us so we went on to Greenber, where there was a boat in one of the locks, going up - but not the right boat! We hung around for a bit, then another boat appeared going upwards - this was a large narrow boat plus butty boat alongside. So quite a bit of traffic for a late winter afternoon, but as it was 3.45, we gave up and came home.
Hope the weather is kind tomorrow - good luck.
Gill
Kalh mera oi filoi mou
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Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 09:44
Looks as though you did well...... No accident, good planning from the look of it. I bet you all slept well!
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 09:58
If the uperworks of the boat and butty were red then it may have beeen "Ultima and Thule" both built at Barlick app 12 and 10 years ago respectively. The owners are Ken and Mary Nelson of Selby. Ken was in the Anchor on Thursday night. The butty is actually a floating joiners workshop and is fitted with an engine for independant work. Its 0954 so the rest of the journey should soon be about to begin. I feel really sorry for poor Travis having done what he did and then conventional transport kicked him in the groin. Ken Nelson by the way is a true enthusiast but not a fanatic, no fake rivets on his boats.
thomo |
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 12:17
Spoke with Travis at app 1205, then at the bottom of Greenberfield, conditions, very windy.
thomo |
gus
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 12:57
FRABJOUS IS HOME,
Gus
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angusbrennan/
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panbiker
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 13:22
I slept like a log last night and woke with a few aching muscles that I did'nt know I had! I rang Travis and met the boat again at the bottom of Greenberfield. The last flight of 3 locks to the summit length was just what I needed to loosen me up again. Elain was piloting the boat and did an excellent job of lock insertion, well done Elaine, looks like you are getting the hang of it. Met Ringo and Moh for the first time and Gus was on station with his camera. No doubt we will be seeing loads of pictures of the trip on here in time. I would like to thank Travis and Thomo for all their advice and skills that made the trip safe and enjoyable for all involved. I have had my canal knowledge enhanced and my lock operating skills upgraded (thanks Wendy). As Gus reported the boat reached the summit length at just before 12.30 today. A straight sail now to moor a bit further along near Salterforth. A good result and a good weekend, Thanks all.
Edited by - panbiker on 13/01/2008 13:23:22
Ian |
moh
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 13:45
Yes it was lovely to meet Heather, Elaine, Boo, Panbiker, Ringo, Travis and was about to say hello to Gus but he went. It was getting very windy, cold and wet when we left but it is good they are home.
Say only a little but say it well |
Ringo
Site Administrator
3793 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 14:05
After the boat reached the top level a brew was called for so there was approximatly a 40 min rest break.I left them about 40 mins ago and they had just set off towards the marina so they should be there now.
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frankwilk
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 15:16
Well done all,
I wish sometimes we were nearer to give people a hand, only the grand daughter holds us back
Frank Wilkinson Once Navy Always Navy |
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 15:41
Must be a strong lass Frank. But never mind, one of the real joys of this little internet community is that when an event like this has been, takes place, even those who cannot be there make a worthwhile task easier to undertake by their support. I wish that I could have been there for the last part, but the Memsahib is at work, so I am duty chef and cleaner.
thomo |
FRABJOUS DAY, the homecoming.
