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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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panbiker
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 15:58
Thomo, just noticed on the homepage that "the little internet community" is just 1 short of 2000 members today.
Ian |
Ringo
Site Administrator
3793 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 16:21
We would have more members but I keep deleting our Afghaistan friends.
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panbiker
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 16:59
I noticed there were one or two of rather doubtful pedigree.
Ian |
Ringo
Site Administrator
3793 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 17:23
Action stations at the first lock!!!
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thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 18:08
Put a bit more clout into your deleting Ringo, then we can get the lads back home
thomo |
Doreen
hippies understudy
429 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 18:53
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL,
she looks like a good sound vessel from here, well done .
Dordygail
always the one to make the best of things. |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 19:08
Oh wow - I'm getting a really good signal here at the marina.
As you might have gathered, we made it from Bank Newton to Barlick without any major hitches. This is because Travis had left his toolbox on board and not in his car, with dire consequences for his car (as we all know, calamities only happen when you aren't prepared for them). What a shame the fabulous (or should that be 'frabjous') day ended on such a low note for Andy & Wendy who, it has to be said, are absolute stars, the pair of 'em.
It was so uplifting to read how many people had been around to welcome us, and such a shame we didn't manage to connect. However, it was grand to eventually meet Moh on her return to Greenberfield (by gum, the lass is keen!) and I eagerly await the results of Gus's prolific photograph taking.
Elaine and I have managed to get in a bit more steering practice and E looked like an old pro (er, I'll rephrase that) like an experienced boater when she took FD through the 3 locks.
I couldn't sleep a wink last night - I kept opening and closing locks in my head till the wee small hours.
So, we're now filled up with £800-worth of diesel (at least, that's what I thought the meter said until Andy pointed out with much mirth that it was actually only £80...) plus a nice full tank of water, a new gas bottle and now we're settled in for the night after a takeout Indian.
Still haven't managed to crack the TV/satellite situation though as it was going dark I only had a feeble attempt at getting a decent signal.
Thanks to ALL involved (Andy, Wendy, Peter, Ian, Ringo - doesn't seem right to call him Rick - Mandy, Frank and Jane. Everybody's contribution was valuable but without Travis & Thomo we'd still be at Silsden, I've no doubt about that! I think it safe to say that OGFB had quite a big role to play too, as it enabled us to meet up with some fantastic folk.
The forecast was wrong - I think we had the best weather we could have hoped for, on both days, given that it's mid January.
Frabjous Day is home!
Nelly and Cally on the approach to Greenberfield.
Edited by - Callunna on 13/01/2008 9:37:24 PM |
thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 21:25
Sleep well ladies, you've damn well earned it
thomo |
Travis
Regular Member
91 Posts
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 21:47
Just to echo Thomo's sentiments....Well done! You've both had a very stressfull weekend, and you came out with flying colours.
There is so much to learn (its not plain sailing!) and we reckon you will be naturals. Have a couple of days relaxing if you can and soak up the view from the port side.
Thats it for now, need to sleeeeeeep, back to w*rk tomorrow for a rest...
Andy and Wen (she's doing the nodding dog routine 'ont setee)
Deeds not words. |
gus
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Posted - 13/01/2008 : 22:14
Gus
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angusbrennan/ |
gus
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Posted - 14/01/2008 : 00:33
<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zRk3xYVyPww"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zRk3xYVyPww" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>
Gus
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angusbrennan/ |
gus
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Posted - 14/01/2008 : 00:47
Sorry folks, tried to embed the youtube link, but failed, but, if you go on youtube, and search for " frabjous comes home" that should get you there......
Gus
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angusbrennan/ |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 14/01/2008 : 10:28
The videos look great, Gus!
It's fantastic to have such a record of events. |
moh
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Posted - 14/01/2008 : 11:58
Are you at the marina permanently now H ? - if so we will have a run over with the book I mentioned sometime when you are in
Say only a little but say it well |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 14/01/2008 : 13:46
We'll be here for at least 2 weeks - hopefully longer. PM me if you want my mobile and/or directions - it will be lovely to see you and to be able to chat in a more relaxed way (I was a bit manic at Greenberfield!). Looking forward to reading the book.
Did you see yourself on the YouTube movie clip? |