Lock 13 on the Rochdale - unlucky for some

Saturday, 26 September 2009 16:10

Is it luck or skill?

Stubbing Wharf

After a great evening of story telling at Stubbing Wharf we finally left the Hebden Bridge area! Rawden Mill Lock (12) awaited us. As predicted yesterday - the lock behaved differently - or so I claim!

Callis Lock (from top) was my nemesis - it was number 13!

John had opened the off side gate a little as well as the towpath one as there was a very fast flowing by wash on the off side that I had to negotiate! So a lot of throttle and in I go.

Ah but ... the offside gate decided to shut itself so I had to do some very quick work with the tiller at speed. Only problem - at speed the tiller is heavy and I am not as strong as I could be. It was a rocky ride, to say the least.

Epiphany moved from side to side again as she went up, despite lifting the paddles slowly. I decided I hated the Rochdale Locks and we had lots more to go yet! We had to sort out the best way to do them.

A bit of advice from John and a bit of thought from me and we had an idea (another one)! I would try to keep the boat parallel to the lock sides, but enter nearer the middle with John still opening the off side gate a bit.

Once in the middle (both lengthways and widthways) it meant I could anticipate which way the bow would go and keep the stern in line.

This worked in all the following locks - yippee. They almost became a pleasure and I was able to appreciate the scenes around me a bit more! (As you will see from the photos in my next blog!

I think this is John saying "that's it - we did it"