cheshire~rose

The diesel sales at West Stockwith stopped a couple of years ago. I don't think many narrowboats have VHF and even those who do not many have taken the exam and tend to just use it for listening. It is only when you get down as far as Keadby when you might find any commercial traffic these days and so that is where it can come in useful. Sadly you will find that by offering cash to someone to pilot your narrowboat it will create all sorts of insurance implications unless that person is a qualified pilot. What many folks do is invite someone along and promise them a beer/dinner in the pub afterwards. Cromwell to Torksey is an easy enough stretch and although I have not checked the tides I think at this time of year there is usually plenty of water so if you follow the charts then the chances of going aground are remote. I can see someone called Corey has been asking in the Try the Trent group for advice. saying he is travelling today with his father and is a new boater so either this is your boat or there is another newbie boater due to leave Cromwell for The Chesterfield today. When you get to Torksey be sure to visit the pub there and have their meat and potato pie. Unless your name is Desperate Dan then you will only need the smaller size! When you get to West Stockwith have trust in the lock keeper to guide you in. depending on the time within the tide when you make your approach you are likely to pass the lock and turn back to enter. Please ensure you have told the lock keeper this is your first time and he will advise you which way to enter. the following only applies if you are told to turn around and enter from downstream: If you need to turn start turning as you are adjacent to the lock. Be prepared for the current to start sweeping you downstream faster when your boat is broadside to the flow, this is normal and you will be fine it just feels a bit unnerving the first time you do it. this is why you are better to start turning fairly soon as you will need to make your way back upstream against what might be a strong flow of water against you. keep well in to the right hand side where the current is not flowing as strongly (its deep there so you will be fine) the lock keeper will stand on the lock side guiding you on. He will keep motioning you to come forward towards him for much longer than feels quite right when you are a newbie. Keep aiming at him and watching him, he will tell you when to turn, when he signals to turn up the revs and turn hard right to make a fast turn. Have confidence in what the lock keeper is telling you to do and follow the instructions. A boater I was travelling with didn't do this once saying that the last time he had done it he nearly hit the side of the lock going in. = by not following instructions he clouted the side quite hard, I mentioned this to the lock keeper and he said that to enter the lock correctly you do nearly hit the side! but, only nearly and if you get it wrong you might brush the side. Enjoy your trip. The White Hart at West Stockwith is a great pub with a microbrewery (The Pup is a good traditional bitter and the food there is great. Stop at Misterton for a well stocked Coop really close to the canal to get supplies. the butcher there sells great produce too. Time your arrival at Clayworth for a Friday or Saturday and be assured of a warm welcome and great value drinks in the bar. If you would like a mooring with an electric hook up there call the warden and they should be able to fix you up with one. A visit to the village church is always interesting too as they have beautiful murals in there. The Blacksmiths Pub does a huge plate full of good grub at a very reasonable price too. Treat yourself to a Chesterfield Canal Guide (cash payments only I am afraid) at the boat club or ask me for other tips on the canal. some info here:https://chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk/on-the-water/navigating-the-tidal-river-trent/ as you start your approach coming

I know the legal requirements. I also know that it is quite usual for boaters travelling downstream to West Stockwith NOT to have VHF I think most cabin cruisers tend to be fitted with VHF as standard although how many of those using them have actually qualified to use them is another matter altogether. I am not aware of any enforcement action on that rule over the last decade. Of course that could be different if the MIAB ever needed to be involved. I am aware of an increasing frustration being voiced by those using them that they are so often proved totally useless when trying to contact a lockie I never suggested it was optional. I wrote what is actually happening out there on the river. It could take the OP quite a while to take his VHF exam before travelling while there could be a lot of other boaters pass him by who regularly navigate the river without one I am also aware of an incre

Although VHF is stated as being required in the rules a lot of boaters don't use one as far downstream as West Stockwith. Many of those who do are reporting in recent years that it is easier to get hold of the lock keepers by phone than by VHF. Obviously VHF is useful to communicate with other boating traffic but as so many are not using it it is becoming less reliable as a tool for knowing who is out on the river with you

If you use Facebook then I thoroughly recommend joining the Try The Trent group who have a wealth of knowledge and will give advice. They also try to link up people doing the same route so you have a boating buddy out on the river with you. There is a website too but I find the group on FB invaluable as have many others. We have buddied up with folks on the river through that group on a number of occasions. First of all do not be scared of the river. yes, respect it but it is a beautiful river which is rarely the same twice so once you have done all your research relax and enjoy. Buy the charts from Cromwell Lock and FOLLOW THEM! This book was our bible for The Trent when we first started out, it is full of all the information you need in a manner that is easy to understand. It can be purchased mail order by this link: https://chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk/shop/narrowboat-on-the-trent/ With regard continuously cruising on The Chesterfield Canal: Yes it can be done but it is not easy to comply by the rules. The Chesterfield Canal isn't somewhere you can just moor up anywhere as there isn't the depth at the bankside at most places apart from at official visitor moorings. These are all signed as 48 hours and so unless you are happy to move on every two days then the options are a bit more restricted. Much of the canal is very rural and does not have easy road access, let alone public transport. There is no supplier of diesel on the canal so you need to ensure you tank is full before you leave Nottingham area really. Once on the canal you will need to fill jerry cans from a local garage to refuel the tank. Because there are so few boats that visit The Chesterfield Canal those who moor there tend to know the other boats and recognise a visting boat when they see it and so people (including CRT) tend to spot anyone who might overstay quite quickly. There are only 31 miles of navigable canal to continuosly cruise which can be navigated in just 20 hours from one end to the other so there really is nowhere to hide. for those who are not prepared to follow the rules but having said that there are people who do this and manage to comply by the rules and they are the part of the lifeblood of the canal. There are residential moorings available at West Stockwith, Forest Middle Top Lock and Shireoaks Marina if you do not feel continuous cruising is for you. If you want to chat to other boaters who regularly navigate The Trent then feel free to visit Retford and Worksop Boat Club on a Friday or Saturday night from 7:30pm. You will receive a warm welcome and plenty of advice. (The Trent Book is also available there but payment is required in cash)

**Cromwell Lock**

I will agree that there is a lot of problem with overhanging vegetation along The Leek Branch (much of it slow growing species so it has been a long time growing without a trim to get that bad) but I have to say that we did not have any problem with the depth along there (we are 2'10" draught) and had no problem getting along there without a bow thruster. We also managed to get through Froghall Tunnel which was exciting but I would not want to try it with a boat longer than our 60' because of the turn at either end of the tunnel We seem to be ticking off "ends" this year - Langley Mill, Coventry Basin, The Ashby Canal, the end of The Leek arm and Uttoxeter Canal too.

It's a beautiful boat and I know the owners will have kept it really well maintained as well. In another life I would love to own it. Our boat has the original engine from this boat, a JP2m

Sorry folks Dave has tested positive for covid so we have to cancel. Chris and Lise have also cancelled On updating other guests by messenger my words were misinterpreted and BSP cancelled their room thinking I had cancelled the banter. Let's try and reschedule shall we?

The table is booked for 5pm with a view to a leisurely meal before moseying over to The Swan afterwards. I suspect we might all be lightweights when it comes to extended drinking hours these days but there is always a banter breakfast to look forward to That's a shame but enjoy your concert

Hiya Rob Sorry it took a while to respond. We were away for New Year and I wasn't doing a great deal with regard to admin stuff! Chris, Lise, Dave and I are going to have a pre-banter meal in The Basin - let me know if you want to join us. If anyone else is attending and wishes to join us they are welcome too

Yippee!

Just to bump this post. It is now only a couple of weeks until the banter so time to consider transport arrangements and or accommodation for anyone wishing to join us. Please comment if you plan to go. We are staying Friday and Saturday night in The Travelodge Hope we will see plenty of you there

Hi Richard, I did not want to be presumptuous about whether you might be willing to be a liaison in the area to assist with organising this one but it will be absolutely lovely to see you both again. Well a Certain Mr Chris Bennett and his lovely OH Lise decided to book the Trouble Sledge (that was what he wrote and so I am not changing it) for the night of 13th of January and there are now a total of eight people who I have suggested via the FB page that they will be going so I booked Dave and I into the Travelodge for that time too (but I decided to book an additional night on 12th so we have 2 days there and maybe there will be someone else around for an extended banter? If not then we like Loughborough and will find plenty to occupy us while we are there. The other people who have suggested via Facebook that they are hoping to go are Wrigglefingers, and Ray Thorpe (We already have Myself, Postcode, BSP, TreeMonkey) Others who are interested in being there are Ally (and Marc) The Moomins. Bazza, Alan and Cath Fincher, The HBF, Nicky Schiessel Harvey, Smudge, John & Renee Devine, Viv Danning and Tom Brophy (apologies for a mixture of possibly abbreviated forum ID's and names) My suggestion is that anyone who might be wanting to attend take a look at booking your room soon because the prices tend to go up the more interest there is in a date at the Travelodge

Clearly the forum isn't what it used to be (and yes I know, I rarely post here now either so am as much to blame for that as the next person However - I felt fairly sure that there would be plenty of people interested in having a banter if I could reach out to many of those others who rarely come here now. Early this morning I set up a Facebook event to gauge the interest among other former forumites that I am connected with. The link is here is anyone is interested: https://fb.me/e/6XGKq2Pi2 Since creating the event there 4 people have responded by saying they are "going" and another 6 have reacted by suggesting they are "interested" - in just a couple of hours. Further discussion will proceed to decide if the date is a firm one and I will report back here for anyone who does not do FB. This is open to anyone who wishes to join in whether you have been to a banter before or not

People still very much meet face to face whenever the opportunity arises. That is how come BSP and I were chatting - when I realised we would be attending the Atherstone Floating Market (by car) we made arrangements to catch up. Many boaters who have forged friendships through this forum are still in regular contact with each other and meet up when the planets align to allow them to do so. It is always lovely to have a catch up, especially when we all had a couple of years of struggling to do so with Covid. The thought is that organising a banter would allow a larger group of people to meet up and catch up with many old friends while potentially meeting new people and forging new friendships/ It is a huge pity - perhaps we need a banter in Kent? There have always been verbose and opinionated members on this forum. I have been to dozens of banters over the years and find that either the verbose and opinionated members have no interest in turning up to these events (making me feel they really are just keyboard warriors) or, if they do, once you hear the tone of their voice when they speak you start to get a different take on the individual and they are not always quite the person I thought they were from their online presence It would be a shame if it put anyone off. My first banter I turned up to alone and received a warm welcome and made some amazing friends There is never anything stopping anyone from arranging a banter. There always used to be a handful of people who would organise something in their area, if folks could get to it and wanted to they did, if they couldn't they didn't. Just set a date, choose a location and see who is interested. Many of those who no longer post on here (myself included) are still in regular contact with many of the friends made back in the day via Facebook I get exactly what you are saying and yes, the lull between Christmas and New Year is the perfect time for it. BSP and I had initially assumed that was when it would be but Dave reminded me that we are currently booked to be away for New Year. After having to cancel 16 bookings for accommodation across Europe back in March when my health took a turn for the worse we have been clinging onto that booking hoping against hope that it won't have to be cancelled. If the majority of people would prefer the banter to be in the gap between Christmas and New Year then that is when it should be. I think I was just being a bit selfish suggesting the tried and trusted formula be changed to suit us You would be very welcome indeed Sorry it took me so long to log in and get involved Obviously Dave and I are up for this but I see perhaps some would prefer it to stay with the "usual" time between Christmas and New Year. If the majority prefer that then it should go ahead but as we are away for New Year we will be unable to attend. A thought I also had was when does the uni return after Christmas? The pub we have traditionally "The Paget Arms" used for the last few banters is a uni pub just outside the town in a student area that is always nearly empty at that time and they welcome us with open arms. If the students are already back that might be a bit different but we could probably revert to The Swan in The Rushes (which is a very short walk from the Travelodge. Many of us have had a lovely meal in The Basin too and whatever time of year that could continue