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thomo
Barlick Born Old Salt
2021 Posts
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 Posted -
04/01/2008
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21:08
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Yes. And first let me apologise to all of our ex RN members for the Americanism, but it is probably more well known amongst the landlubbers than our own version. DO'Y'HEAR THERE. Right, I have just spoken with Calluna, and we are going for next weekend. Start Saturday 12th January. The object of this exercise is to get "Frajous Day" H & E + Dog back into the bosom of our community in the shortest possible time and with the minimum amount of fuss. Make no mistake, this is not going to be a pleasure cruise, the available time on the Saturday has to be used to its full potential, and if we are to finish the day at the bottom of a flight of locks, then I would like it to be Greenberfield or the top of Bank Newton. The ideal scenario is to have two teams at each flight of locks, this way the boat can be kept moving almost constantly, swing bridges can be dealt with by the onboard team. THEREFORE a small number of willing volunteers would be of great help and be much appreciated. Just as important is a plan to make sure that everyone and everything is in the right place at the right time. During the next few days and working with Cally and anyone else who wishes to be involved, this plan will be developed, anyone wishing to contact me personally may do so by either personal message on this site, or within this topic, or e/mail me at the castle7@btinternet.com. or by calling 01282 861961 either during this weekend or after 1400 hrs during the coming week. I cannot promise good weather and whatever it does, Warm suitable clothing and footwear will be required. The canal will be open as we understand at present, but this has to be done soon as the forcast for later in the month is pretty horendous, if they have got it right then you would not want to be outside, let alone on the canal. SO, LETS DO IT AND GET THEM HOME. Thank you and good night.
thomo
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panbiker
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Posted - 06/01/2008 : 14:44
Belle, Cally, E, Boo and boat are presently in Silsden. The plan is to get the boat onto the top length of the canal next Saturday if possible. This will involve 12 or 15 locks ( if its coming above Greenberfield) and numerous swing bridges between Silsden and Gargrave. Thomo is sorting out a plan to keep the boat moving as much as possible and will post here as the plan develops. The mooted meeting, possibly at the Anchor at Salterforth is for strategy planning etc. Watch this space for Thomo's posts.
Edited by - panbiker on 06/01/2008 14:46:16
Editing this again as I called you Belly, the e and the y are miles apart on the keyboard so It can't be a simple typo, sorry Belle.
Edited by - panbiker on 06/01/2008 17:36:22
Ian  |
moh
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Posted - 06/01/2008 : 16:20
How many locks in total and where are they? We too would love to help if we know where and when
Say only a little but say it well |
panbiker
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Posted - 06/01/2008 : 17:44
Moh, there are 12 locks between Silsden and the top lock at Bank Newton, a further 3 at Greenberfield at Barlick if the boat is coming all the way on to the top length. The first of the locks is the other side of Skipton as the canal makes its way to Gargrave, several more here and then the ones at Bank Newton 12 in total to this point. There are numerous swing bridges between Silsden and through Skipton as the canal is all one level here as it follows the Aire Valley. Thomo says that the boat "crew" will handle these as they go. He is going to keep everyone informed via this thread and a proposed meeting at the Anchor at Salterforth, possibly on Thursday, watch this space.
Ian |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 06/01/2008 : 21:16
Who is the official snapper? The video would sell....
Stanley, our fellow band member Frank The Harp got a video camera off Santa and has offered (nay, insisted!) to film us all on our voyage. I guess the results will find their way onto U-Tube...
He will join us at Silsden and then hopefully at the end of the day someone will take him and Elaine back to Silsden to collect their respective cars.
Oops - gotta go - the stove seems very smoky - I think E overdid it with the coal.
Back again. Frank is also going to store our two bikes in his garage for a while so will be loading them into his car that morning. This will make a bit more room on the boat.
Moh - I'm leaving all plans and directives to Thomo. If I stick my oar in I'll only muddy the waters, so to speak. Watch this space for details and suggestions, but it would be great to see you either on the Saturday or Sunday - or both.
E and I were discussing today how, normally, hirers are given 10 minutes instruction and then set loose with the boat for two weeks, whereas we've sparked off a military operation! Perhaps Thomo has seen me attempt to parallel park on Rainhall Road ... hmm....
Gotta go again - boat full of smoke! Don't panic, Mr Mainwaring! |
panbiker
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Posted - 06/01/2008 : 21:45
Cally, I hope you still have a boat to bring to Barlick, your last post led me to believe it may be in question! By my reckoning (with the help of "Towpath Trecks) and my existing angling knowledge of the local cut, you have about 20 miles of canal to traverse at say maximum speed (4mph - 5hours) add to this the time to negotiate/ empty/fill 12 or maybe 15 locks and the numerous swing bridges (hope someone will have their running shoes on). The holiday boaters have all the time in the world and more often than not their 10mins training shows in bucketfulls, if Thomo has his way, I am fairly sure that you will emerge this weekends foray as an expert in boat handling and canal navigation. Babtism of Fire and all that, looking forward to it. Are you still afloat?
Ian |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 07/01/2008 : 11:09
Yes - still afloat - all part of the learning curve!
We couldn't get smokeless coal on Sunday so just to put us on we got a small bag of ordinary coal and loads of logs. It always helps the logs to have just a tiny bit of coal in the grate and I intended to mainly burn logs till we could get the proper stuff.
However, E didn't realise this and while I was otherwise engaged on OGFB, she banked up the stove for the night with loads of coal. At first the boat was overwhelmed with smoke, then when it took hold there were flames shooting out of the top of the chimney.
At that point I grabbed the fire extinguisher and told E to soak a wodge of newspaper - thankfully the fire was out in seconds after a squirt and a dampen down.
At least we now know we can operate the extinguisher in an emergency! |
moh
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Posted - 07/01/2008 : 13:32
Hope the weather is fine for the trip - still the stove should dry your wet clothes if it is 'kept in order!'
Ian when you say on the top length - are there two?
Edited by - moh on 07/01/2008 1:33:36 PM
Say only a little but say it well |
panbiker
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Posted - 07/01/2008 : 14:02
Only one "Top Length" MOH, That is the higest section of the L&L between Barrowford and the top lock at Greenberfield, its downhill either way from there. Thomo said earlier in the post that he would like to see the boat the other side of the top lock at Bank Newton if possible, that is the same level as the bottom lock at Greenberfield. If we run out of time that would leave Cally, E and Boo a straight cruise on the same level to get to the bottom lock at Greenberfield. 12 locks to the top of Bank Newton, 15 locks to the top of Greenberfield and the "Top Length" which is 488ft ASL, the canal height at Silsden is 325ft so It will be an uphill climb of 163ft.
Edited by - panbiker on 07/01/2008 14:04:44
Ian |
Another
Traycle Mine Overseer
6250 Posts
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Posted - 07/01/2008 : 14:14
Moh, are you thinking of the Straight Mile? Nolic
" I'm a self made man who worships his creator"  |
belle
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Posted - 08/01/2008 : 10:12
That sounded exciting Cal, and reminded me of the days when we lived in a house entirely dependant on coal/wood. D is a an ardent stoker and often got flames coming out of the chimney and the door of our stove, his piece de resistance was to get scalding hot water dripping through the landing ceiling, but that's another story...glad you got it all under control and are now versed in fire marshalling!
Life is what you make it |
moh
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Posted - 08/01/2008 : 12:15
No - just with Ian saying top length I wondered if there was a bottom length i.e. canal split for a distance - being ignorant of canal design.
Say only a little but say it well |
panbiker
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Posted - 08/01/2008 : 13:30
As a canal is a captive waterway, I would assume that each end below the last locks on the system would be the "bottom length" although I have never heard them reffered to as this. The 488ft ASL summit of the L&L is called the "Top Length" or "Summit Length", I hae heard both terms used. Interesting question Moh.
Ian |
Stanley
Local Historian & Old Fart
36804 Posts
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Posted - 08/01/2008 : 18:19
Strong winds and heavy rain forecast for tonight (Tuesday) so might have improved by Thursday. Wellies for the towpath though? I thought about you lot when listening to a programme on Teeside river pilots on R4. One of them was saying he boarded one very large iron ore bulk carrier and the captain greeted him with the news that one engine was off'line and they only had one bow thruster working.........
Stanley Challenger Graham
Barlick View
stanley at barnoldswick.freeserve.co.uk |
Callunna
Revolving Grey Blob
3044 Posts
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Posted - 08/01/2008 : 22:57
Bow thrusters? They're for cissies. Apparently. (I bet I yearn for a pair after this weekend, though most canal boaters who have them say they hardly use them.)
Rotten weather here in Silsden - the next boat along broke free earlier, and set off down the cut on its own. I dutifully battled through the wind and thunderstorm and reported to the guy who lives above the shop that it had pulled out its mooring pins. So bugger me they go and tie it up to OUR ring and now every time there's a gust it crashes into us. I don't think we'll get much kip tonight. Crikey - it just gave us such a wallop then.
Hope the weather has improved by weekend. I can't steer the boat in a straight line when it's calm, so what chance do I have if it's galeforce winds?
Gotta go - another wallop nearly knocked my cuppa off the table... |
belle
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Posted - 08/01/2008 : 23:00
Sadly I don't think we can make it, but i will be thinking about you all1
Life is what you make it |
NOW HEAR THIS! FRAJOUS DAY IS COMING HOME.
