After a very pleasant evening and meal at the Rose of Lancaster we woke this morning to light rain. Moored right below lock 63 it didn't take long to get going, our aim to pass Rochdale before the kids come out of school. The flight up to Slattocks was basically straightforward with plenty of water save one pound which was a little low causing the deeper draughted boats ahead some problems. At Slattocks we all stopped for water. The water point is on the lock cottage wall in the garden and a hose is conveniently already attached, but it means staying in the lock to get it. We started filling the tank whilst rising in the lock. Today we were using a different roping regime which worked a little better, using bow and stern ropes, however there is still variation in behaviour because the bollards are in slightly different places from lock to lock. This part of the canal is recently restored and we passed the new culverted sections under the motorways with ease. The weather had brightened up by the time we reached Rochdale. The approaches are very deceptive, unlike the urban sections lower down yesterday, there is greenery all around almost until the two town locks. The first was no problem, but the second was the gathering place for the children who seem to finish school earlier and earlier these days. This was all made worse by a delay in getting into the lock, partly waiting for it to empty, and partly because of rubbish on the prop and a large underwater obstruction just before the gates on the left. By the time the boat arrived in the lock in a cloud of blue smoke on the "wrong" side, the propeller was totally ineffective. Thanks due to two of the more intelligent kids taking the initiative to open the opposite gate for Pat. Deciding to go "down the hatch" before anything else seemed to bore the kids and they all left as I fished out some large pieces of plastic. The swing bridge not far further on was also very productive with a bicycle tyre and more plastic. At last we are reaching more rural and more scenic parts of the canal.
Approaching Lttleborough with Pennines ahead
Reaching Littleborough (hopeless shallow moorings) we are nestled right under the hills and no obvious way in which the canal can possibly make the crossing. Stories from opposite direction boaters suggest we will have dry pounds and lots of adventures tomorrow.
BW have just announced that you have to pre-book Tuell lane lock due to water shortage on the Eastern side, see - http://www.narrowboatworld.com/index.php/leatest/3165-here-it-comes
Alf
Posted by: Alf | May 06, 2011 at 22:55
Indeed. In fact Tuel Lane is totally closed at present. We are in touch with BW and will wait as needed. But what a good place to have to wait out a stoppage!
Posted by: mike | May 07, 2011 at 07:57