Hudds Lad

I guess so you don't have to lug your laptop around with the potential of it slipping into a watery grave, or is the flex really long? or perhaps if you don't own a laptop? I quite fancy some sort of inspection camera, but just can't imagine I'd get a lot of use out of it after the initial novelty wore off

i can totally relate, also the crippling wind afterwards too due to them blowing air in as well to keep the "pipes" open

Update on 21/09/2017: We are pleased that our teams have been able to complete the repairs at lock 16. Overnight we have been able to refill the canal and its now back open.

Notice Alert Ashton Canal Starts At: Lock 16, Edge Lane Ends At: Lock 16, Edge Lane Tuesday 19 September 2017 17:30 until further notice Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Structure failure Original message: Due to both paddle failing at lock 16 we have had to close the canal. Moorings are available below lock 1 and above lock 18. We understand that this closure may disrupt your schedule. We are taking every step to fix the problem as soon as possible and we will keep you updated of our progress tomorrow morning. You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/11583/ashton-canal-lock-16 You can find all notices at the url below: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

if used on a public road, then yes

without taking any sides i'm just pointing out he was riding a "fixie", very popular with cycle couriers, track cyclists & hipsters. If you don't know what a "fixie" is, it's a fixed wheel bike, as in the rear sprocket is "fixed" to the wheel and so cannot freewheel, you apply braking force on the pedals to stop. So they don't always have (or technically need) traditional brakes, IMHO a sensible rider would fit rim brakes to aid stopping quickly in an emergency.

Notice Alert Llangollen Canal Starts At: Lock 4, Hurleston Locks Ends At: Lock 4, Hurleston Locks Up Stream Winding Hole: Hurleston Junction Down Stream Winding Hole: Stoneley Green Thursday 28 September 2017 07:00 until Thursday 28 September 2017 10:00 Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Inspection Original message: In order to investigate movement of the chamber walls at Hurleston Lock 4 (Bottom Lock, Llangollen Canal), Unfortunately it is necessary to complete further survey works during a morning stoppage on Thursday 28th September 2017, during which the lock will be emptied. This will be carried out between 7am-10am, with the canal being re-opened for customers following completion and re-filling. The surveying will be carried out by survey operations, assisted by Canal & River Trust operatives. We ask for your patience whilst this is taking place; thank you for your co-operation. You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/11576/llangollen-canal-hurleston-lock-4- You can find all notices at the url below: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

Update on 14/09/2017: Following initial surveys and investigations at the lock we have confirmed that alongside the subsidence evident on the lock side the towpath side wall has moved and the lock is narrowed. We have further work to do to confirm precisely the scale of the problem which will take place over the next week. We are hopeful that the lock can be reopened, albeit with a reduced width for the time being. We expect that the restriction would mean that only boats up to 6’10” width will be able to pass through it. We will be able to confirm this when the more detailed survey has been completed. We also have work to do to repair the superficial damage to the lock side and install gauging at the top and bottom of the lock flight before we can reopen it. We’re currently estimating that the lock will reopen with a restriction around 22nd September 2017. Looking towards a more permanent repair, we have started the work of developing a repair solution so that we can decide how best this might be taken forward. We’ll provide a further update when we’ll be able to confirm the restricted reopening date.

Update on 13/09/2017: Our contractors have attend the site to remove the fallen trees. The towpath and canal are now back open.

Notice Alert Macclesfield Canal Starts At: Bridge 97, Kidsgrove Bridge Ends At: Bridge 97, Kidsgrove Bridge Wednesday 13 September 2017 09:00 until further notice Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Vegetation Original message: Trees have fallen onto the towpath and canal at Bridge 97 on the Macclesfield canal. Contractors have been informed and we are waiting for them to attend the site. Until the tree has been removed the towpath and canal will remain closed. We will provide an update once the towpath and canal is open. You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/11558/macclesfield-canal-bridge-97 You can find all notices at the url below: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

Yup, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/permission-to-trap-crayfish-eels-elvers-salmon-and-sea-trout I looked into it once, thought a couple of pots might be handy to carry around after seeing quite a few Signal Crayfish on the L&L, set overnight and next morning see what was in. But seeing as you have to specify exactly which bit of canal/river etc. and then seek permissions its just not possible legally if you're moving about. Yes, I know you could just do it on the sly and probably never be rumbled, but I just don't have that kind of luck

You'll need a licence to fish if you want to be legal, https://www.gov.uk/freshwater-rod-fishing-rules for more info, unless you have a child under 12 and can pass the rod to them every time someone comes past just in case its a bailiff. On the plus side, you can do pretty well using bread as bait, I guess so much has been thrown in for the ducks/swans etc. that the fish are used to it. On the minus side, you're going to attract every waterfowl within half a mile as soon as you chuck some bait in Personally i'd not eat any fish out of the cut, our Eastern European friends think differently. Here's one we had out of the basin at Llangollen just sat on the front with a pole and some bread

We've been to the Basin and back twice this year, once a couple of weeks before the school hols (took daughter out of school as she'd done SATs and they were not teaching them anything just endless PE and quizzes/films, still got fined £120 though :() and then again in the last week of school hols. The first trip was way busier with far more moving and moored boats and a very strong flow heading upstream, only 3 + dog onboard. No lock delays though. Second trip way quieter than we were lead to believe it would be but majority of boats were hires (lots of South Africans & Germans), flow seemed a lot weaker and levels lower, 5 + dog onboard. Biggest holdups were the return leg to Overwater first at New Marton and then at Hurleston on the Friday. We were lucky with timing at Grindley Brook, it was just starting to get busy as we got out of the staircase onto the lower locks.

Notice Alert Peak Forest Canal Starts At: Lock 16 Ends At: Lock 1 Monday 11 September 2017 09:00 until further notice Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Structure failure Original message: We have had to close the lock flight at Marple until further notice due to subsidence at lock 15 . Our engineers will be carrying out inspections later today. We understand that this closure may disrupt your schedule. We are taking every step to look into this problem as soon as possible and we will keep you updated of our progress. You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/11519/peak-e-flight- You can find all notices at the url below: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

Quick search on boat index gives; Nothing pops for NatWest or NatWester