Plan for the first swing bridge worked like a dream. Moored on the working side, open the bridge, pass and moor on the towpath side to use the chain to close it. Same for the second except that there was no mooring on the working side, so used the pole to push it over and the chain as before. Third one was too stiff for this approach but two cyclists helped. Then I arrived at Apperley, and saw the welcoming signs at the marina for pump out (needed) and diesel (could be needed), but it was only 8 am and no sign of activity there so I decided to carry on and round the corner was the nightmare of the key in the slot automated bridge with no moorings on the working side. Rush hour. So I thought, lets go back to the marina and wait for service when hopefully traffic will have subsided a bit. Big mistake. A boat came opposite direction 15 minutes later which could have saved me, and the marina I discovered too late didn't open until 9:30 and then I was told that I couldn't have a pump-out because my port is on the wrong side. By this time I was suitably riled not to bother about traffic and tied up to a post on the working side, opened the bridge and suggested to the driver in the front of the queue that it would be in his best interest to push the button for me when I had passed through. Dobson 2 locks were no problem. Strangford had no chain and I got in a terrible mess with this one and was rescued by another boat. After Field 3 lock staircase (lockkeeper) Buck Hill bridge was so stuck I had to rope it to the boat to pull it open and a passer by agreed to be a safety watch person to prevent a cyclist suddenly appearing out of nowhere and finding the bridge suddenly not there. He actually worked the bridge. Oddies worked with the pole and chain, except when I pulled the chain it was broken. Some youngsters appearing on the working side shut it for me. Dock bridge was another nightmare which although requiring some agility worked well. The BW key is used to lower the barriers, then a windlass to wind separately the wedges and rotate the bridge. Driving the boat through I was able to put it across the canal with the stern by the bridge turntable and the bow on the bridge mooring. This meant a rather undignified climb up a 2ft 6" wall, but not difficult. Then through Shipley and Saltaire, no mooring space, so carried on to Hirst Lock and its swing bridge (no problem, but a long walk round the lock to close the bridge) and finally the Dowley Gap 2. This was interesting. The previous user had left a bottom paddle 1 or 2 inches up which I didn't spot beforehand, so when changing chambers, the water continued to leak out and the boat grounded. I couldn't understand at first why the boat wouldn't move out of the way when I tried to shut the gate. Soon solved of course. Finally stopped for the night round the corner.
On the K&A moorings are now provided on the working side of all user operated bridges, but not on the Leeds & Liverpool. I suppose the counter argument is that boats are not expected to be single handed. I might need a different strategy.
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