Easier coming back than going the other way.

(Boat Flamingo - posted by Alan)

Hebden Bridge services - hard work getting even this close to the edge.

Until we had any understanding of the scale of the problems at the closed Lock 49 in Rochdale we had decided to stay put at Hebden Bridge. It is a very nice place, and there are certainly far worse places to be forced to stay longer than you had expected. However a nagging doubt remained that we had engine problems on both of he last two days we actually moved anywhere, and although the engine has run fine since just to charge batteries, we weren't confident what might happen under the greater load needed to power the boat.

I'm still being told there is no space for one of these on the boat.

As of last evening there was no firm news from CRT about expected fix date for the lock, but at least it seemed it should now be measurable in days, rather than weeks. We therefore decided that today we would move away from Hebden Bridge, if only to see what the engine did or didn't do. Todmorden is not as an appealing place to spend multiple days as Hebden Bridge is, but we had overnighted there on the way in, and if things went OK, could do so again this evening.

The ascent out of Hebden Bridge

We made a final stop for services - even there it is far to shallow - whilst Cath did a quick shop at the very expensive Co-Op that has been our main source of provisions for well over a week now. The water tap proved to be so slow that we abandoned attempts to top up our tank.

Levels were generally better than when we went the other way.

Once away we made slow but steady progress, on our own this time, with nobody to share the lock work. As steerer I made a concious decision to do everything slowly and cautiously - the canal is too shallow for much else, anyway, and I didn't want to over-tax the engine until I had a better idea that it would stay behaving normally. Additionally we have lightened the back of the boat to reduce its draught somewhat, but this makes it slower to stop, and I wanted to master that before I encountered a situation where I wanted to stop in a hurry, but couldn't.

But the pole was still required occasionally.

To some extent we were helped by knowing some of the places either we or Saltaire had grounded heavily in the other direction where you would not have expected to, so these were treated with particular caution. In some cases there simply is not the depth to accommodate Flamingo without going aground whatever you do, but  we were able to cajole her over the bumps.

Having just finally made it through the very worst point.

By far the worst obstruction is by Bridge 22 where the canal suffers "garden now filling up the canal" syndrome.  A sign warns you to proceed slowly and keep to the right - where, of course, you still run firmly aground. This time I wasn't going to thrash the engine, so instead much tugging on of ropes was done - at first to very little effect. Eventually, when even David was seriously suggesting calling CRT, we used a combination of gentle engine power, with nobody on the boat, whilst Cath and David did the rope tugging, and I attempted to keep the boat just the required distance from the tow-path. Generally this had to be more than 1 foot, but less than 2 feet - that's how ridiculously marginal it is. The level was "on weir" - had it been down at all, I think we might still be there. CRT need to solve problems like this with a dredger - not by putting up signs, but otherwise ignoring a nearly blocked canal.

Cath and the dogs walked the whole way.

After that there were no significant problems, although I was aware just how hard Cath was having to struggle with the least well "maintained", (and I use that word sarcastically!), of the paddle gear.  By now however the rain was coming down hard, and by the time we reached "Tod", we were soaked and cold, and glad we had not set any greater target for our first day of moving again.




 

Typical scenery, although now raining heavily.

Best of all though, the engine ran faultlessly throughout the day, albeit never put under great stress.  We don't really know what the problem was, so we can't be confident it has now gone away, but at least  day with no issues does give us some much needed confidence. Onwards and upwards, (literally!)









Hebden Bridge to Todmorden
Miles 4.5, Locks: 10
Total Miles 198.9, Total Locks: 197