Barry: >I can't imagine *anyone* being strong enough to lift >the bridge initially from the towpath side let alone >the fact that there's *nothing* to hold on to to start >the lift---perhaps I'm missing something?
Well, I singlehanded from Braunston to Oxford and back a couple of years ago and I can assure you it's possible! Of course I am in superb physical condition. I felt safer using my Banbury Stick than letting other people lift the bridge for me as I was more in control. This was spectacularly demonstrated once when the lad who had raised the bridge for me got off the balance beam to see where his boat had got to, just as my boat was passing under the bridge. Luckily my vocal interjection galvanised his butt back onto the balance beam microseconds before a disaster happened. Dave NB Phew! Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
