Friday 14th July 2006
Friday was going well until the tray of fried eggs ended up on the floor. So
squashed fried eggs for breakfast! Returning to Portland Basin and having
passed under the ASDA tunnel onto the Huddersfield Narrow Canal (the 6th time
we have visited this stretch since 1990). The peculiar hydraulic system of
opening some gates, and the surrounding razor wire brought us back to the urban
landscape. At Stalybridge we entered the 2001 canal and locks not designed
for bow-hauling. Also we had to remove a bench seat from under the bridge
before we could enter lock 6W. Time off to explore Stalybridge and enjoy an
ice-cream in the hot afternoon. Martin Clark had also joined us for the HNC.
Martin is a local canal enthusiast who had assisted with the planning of both
this and the 2001 trips over the Pennines. We stopped at the new facilities by
lock 8W for water and a cooling down for some under the cold shower. The next
section had recently had recently been reopened following a
£1.3m scheduled embankment stabilisation work so we were hoping for an
easier passage than in 2001, when Ash had stuck at lock 9W, and there had been
insufficient water up to lock 12W through Scout Tunnel. Unfortunately the £1.3m
has not changed much for the boater. Ash stuck on the same projecting stonework
at 9W. The pounds were all so low that the Collingwood could not get over the
cills of 10W and 11W until water had been let down not easy to raise the long
length through the tunnel high enough to allow movement, yet conserve water in
the next pound we needed to travel through. The 200 yard Scout Tunnel we
decided was a good walking tunnel that was scary, wicked, I didnt like
that were the various responses having walked the darkened towpath, at times
through unlined rock and a very wet towpath. We eventually reached our mooring
below Roaches Lock with fantastic views over the Pennine hills and river. We
had booked a final meal at the pub (preferable to
Michaels cooking!), where we presented Graham with a collection of thankyou
gifts for 20 years boating and 37 trips with Fakenham High School and College.
The gifts were themed around the radio programme The Archers and wrapped in a
window cleaners bucket.
Saturday 15th July 2006
Knowing that we would continue with low water problems, an early breakfast of
boiled eggs and toast was taken. Starting at 9 a.m., to our dismay, we found
that a previous boater had left a paddle part up, and even above Roaches lock
water was scarce. Collingwood struggled, and the bowhaulers and the Ash were
often catching up. The pound above 18W was completely empty and little water
coming down from higher up. Martin had warned us that the Royal George length
was shallow anyway and he was right. The final banana shaped Wade lock 21W,
we knew from experience, would be difficult for the Ash. And as we filled the
lock, the Ash regularly stuck then jerked up 6 inches or so which was very
disconcerting to Little Jamie who was on bow rope duty. Paddles had to be
dropped fast when it was realised that Ash was not rising any further. Emptying
the lock led to the Ash dropping in even longer spurts. Second time we placed
Ash as far back as her 69 foot would allow against
the bottom gates, this time success and she floated to the top of the lock.
However, the HNC had still a sting in the tail as the Ash stuck coming out of
the lock resorting to snatches from the motor, rope pulling from both sides
and sideways rocking out she popped. Four and quarter hours for 2m 1f and 7
locks!
The final sandwich lunch, clearing up and goodbyes said, into the minibus by
3.15pm.
Thanks to the great crew of Craig, Little Jamie, Dale, James, Stephen, Sonny,
Michael, Big Jamie, Andrew, Seb and Ronnie. Especial thanks to the assistant
leaders Kev and Big Darren and of course to our steerer for 20 years Graham
Wigley.
I would also like to thank Martin Clark for his assistance over the years
with our forays to the north west, to David Hayden and his minibuses for
finding us down those little byways and Seamus Walsh for providing personalised
FHS windlasses for the last ten years giving many canaller a lasting memento
of their trips. Thank you also to Seamus for his donations over the years to
the various trips.
If anyone would like an "illustrated" account via snail mail - please e-mail.
Thanks also for the help from various members of this discussion group, over
the years, with the trips.
Ivan Cane
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