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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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Ringo
Site Administrator
3793 Posts
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Posted - 09/01/2008 : 13:17
I have open and closed locks before when we used to hang round Greenberfield but that was over 20 years ago.
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thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 09/01/2008 : 13:39
You'll be fine, its a bit like "riding a bike" and just more physical than technical. Looking forward to meeting you.
thomo |
tripps
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Posted - 09/01/2008 : 14:28
Pardon the intrusion. but I feel I am 'involved'. I stayed up till nearly midnight last Saturday, waiting for a report of a successful transit of Yorkshire, to discover of course I had the wrong date and it was the following week. Good luck for Saturday, but having read Thomo's post I don't think you will need it. You are in good hands. Report your safe arrival please, then I can relax.
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thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 09/01/2008 : 14:33
It will be all on here in glorious if soggy detail. Thanks. Thomo.
thomo |
gus
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Posted - 10/01/2008 : 11:07
Peter, have you any idea of the timescale of this operation, sorry i cant help, (looking after grandkids) but, would love to be at Greenberfield, to see and photograph your arrival home....cheers and good luck to all involved Gus
Gus
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angusbrennan/
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thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 10/01/2008 : 11:28
Hi Gus.One of the features of this "operation" is going to have to be good communications, therefore if we have your phone number, we can give you an ETA. Weather update has now got snow showers added to the rain for Saturday . What I want most of all is for this damned wind to abate. Thanks for your wishes. Thomo. Tonight is the meeting at the Anchor non combatants welcome and to Ringo, if you are coming, we will wait.
thomo |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 10/01/2008 : 12:33
I may well be otherwise engaged, but if it's possible I plan to post updates (and photos) on OGFB as we go along.
That's assuming my mobile Internet connection is OK - the weather is wreaking havoc with it at present (one little glitch in the signal and it drops the connection.)
If I was really on the ball I would have rigged up a webcam. |
gus
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Posted - 10/01/2008 : 12:53
cheers Peter good idea about the phone call, but, i don`t want to put you out, but i would be grateful, if you could give me a buzz on tel01282814917, when you get to somewere in the Marton region, and at that point if there is anything you want, or need, i will gladly fetch and carry........Gus....P.S. cally the web cam idea would be a riot, i would not be able to leave it for a moment.......
Gus
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angusbrennan/
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thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 10/01/2008 : 13:41
No. noted Gus, Thanks.
thomo |
panbiker
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Posted - 10/01/2008 : 23:16
Well, meeting has been held, plans laid and wer'e all set to go. It was nice to meet Travis and Thomo and not forgetting Wendy the lock wizard, may need an odd prompt at first Wendy! Thanks for the lift home Cally & E and don't forget the bacon! See you all again on Saturday.
Ian |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 11/01/2008 : 08:40
I#m too old to be gallivanting round in the mud with you but I shall be watching progress and cheering you on. The weather is improving, the glass is going up. Could be a lot better day than it looked early this week. I hope so......
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Rossie
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Posted - 11/01/2008 : 09:54
Best of luck everyone - wish I could help as it sounds fun and because I am an excellent lock operator, but I am just a bit too far away. At least the wind had dropped.
Gill
Kalh mera oi filoi mou
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thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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Posted - 11/01/2008 : 10:24
Cometh the day etc. Approximate timetable is as follows:
Silsden 0900
Kildwick 0940
Skipton 1100
Gargrave 1310
Bank Newton 1440
Greenberfield 1545
At this point if all is favourable, we may go the whole hog. I understand that "H" may be making updates on this site as we proceed.
thomo |
Doreen
hippies understudy
429 Posts
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Posted - 11/01/2008 : 11:28
Good luck for the move , hope the weather behaves itself for you all.
Dordygail 
always the one to make the best of things. |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 11/01/2008 : 11:31
Please don't anyone think that if they turn up at Greenberfield or anywhere else en route they'll be pressganged into working the locks.
In one sense, it might be better if we DON'T have too many cooks spoiling the broth.
We would just be pleased to see you and for you to join in the celebrations. If the weather's not too bad, we could end up with an impromptu OGFB party! |
FRABJOUS DAY, the homecoming.
