The wind generator is not yet fully commissioned and a few supplies were still needed to an early visit to Wilkinson's sorted that out. My dilemma is that if I need to return to London again urgently for upwards of a week, I need to be in a suitable place, i.e. some sort of security is a good idea, and electricity saves cleaning out the fridge. Clarence dock is £25 a night after 48 hours although after explaining the situation I have been allowed to stay on for a couple of nights longer free of charge. However, longer term moorings there come with a minimum stay of months. Finding space in a marina is not always easy and several I phoned either have no space or do not accept short term mooring. Lemonroyd Marina could help, but it is in the wrong direction and Rodley Boat Services would help if needed, mooring breasted up on their inline wharf. So today, I aimed for Rodley. This is now single handed operation with dog.
Leaving Clarence Dock I was once again on the wide river and finally found the entrance to the canal, Lock 1 (River Lock). There is not landing stage as such, just some steps leading up from about 4 feet up on the lock throat wall. It took a little while to get the centre rope secure and access to the steps was from the roof. Forgetting that a handcuff key is the norm here meant another trip back to the cabin. Once in the lock wind became a factor and the boat drifted away from the ladder. The curious L&L ground paddle gear was also a surprise. It seemed to take ages to clear this lock, but eventually we did and with everything secured up again. Office Lock was negotiated a little faster, but again with the boat all over the place. Then came one more before the Oddy 2 staircase. I was meeting boats coming the other way, so now the chambers were empty, except that for the staircase it means filling the top chamber first. At the next lock, a broadbeam was waiting above, so that was helpful. Then the longer run to Kirkstall Lock and finally reaching the Forge 3 lock staircase where the lock-keeper was already priming the top two chambers for me. He suggested it would be easier if I just stayed on the tiller which I was obviously glad to do, having all the work done for me. He had telephoned ahead to the next staircase 3, so they were ready also. I was however, surprised that the bow hit the top gate cill before I had cleared the bottom gate and had the do a Calder & Hebble wiggle to get in. The filling didn't seem to go so well here as the ground paddle sent the boat across the lock unlike previously. This lock is apparently the shortest on the canal, particularly the middle chamber, I was told. Then I came to my first swing bridge. Of course the operating end is opposite to the mooring side, so there will be much experimenting in future on how best to deal with this. I expect every bridge will be different, but Ross Mill was the first. I took a bow rope and tied it to the bridge, opened the bridge and pulled the boat through, pushing it off as it went to stop the cabin side being scored by the bridge. Then stopped it in such a position that it could be pulled in to the base of the bridge to escape. Then next one I persuaded a passer by to do for me (result!). Finally I stopped short of Rodley Bridge on the Wharf Moorings for the night.
With a bit of time to spare I completed the guy wire assembly for the wind generator which is now deployed. There is some wind today and the thing is intermittently humming as I write this. Lets see how the batteries look in the morning.
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