Steve off Bream Asked... Anyone have tips for the lift bridges (or other challenges I'm not aware of) as a single-hander? Assuming they are similar to the Caldon I'll be fine but if they are like the Oxford I won't be quite so happy.
Steve NB Bream The lift bridges should hold no terrors for single handers - I managed them fine on [Owl] 2 Octobers ago. Almost all of them AFAIR work either on a granny paddle / windlass arrangement or (Wrenbury Mill) electrically with an elsan key. Wrenbury Church (?) lift bridge was in original condition - Chain operated - but out of action, as was the one on the Prees Branch. Banbury stick may be needed for these. I understand that at last BW have installed stumps on the off-side at at least some bridges for the benefit of single-handers. It's essential to have a line off and tied onto something on the bank, as the current WILL push your boat back down into the bridge-hole and stop you lowering the bridge, or playfully send it back down towards Hurleston if you don't. Luckily, most lift bridges are stout enough to tie onto. Depending on time of year you can often tailgate another boat through the bridges anyway, or (if your sign language is up to it) signal a following / opposing direction boat to shut the bridge as you beetle off. Any doubts about Hurleston can be resolved by talking to the locky before you go up, there are at least 2 Joshers permanently based up there, a couple of ex GU boats, and some friends of mine regularly travel up there with a Large Woolwich, by dint of ascending the first few locks of Hurleston backwards, If you get stuck, the Llangollen is usually busy enough to produce a snatch / a couple of dozen people to pull on ropes within about half an hour, and there's enough water coming down to pick you up off most obstructions. Enjoy! No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.37/2131 - Release Date: 06/02/09 06:47:00 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
