THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT has occurred, with Keith Gudgin reporting seven closures over seven days.
These were two stoppages on the Stort, then a stoppage on the Weaver, Trent & Mersey, Ashton, Aire & Calder and Harecastle Tunnel.
So together with the seemingly everlasting 'climate' problems of little water, boaters are most likely getting their cruises like we had ours—going virtually nowhere.
I just hope the new fella in charge has the sense to realise the problem that no maintenance (pictured) is killing the system.
Eh?
As to the Ashton, at least there is some progress as we are told—'Following further investigations, we have now scoped potential options and developed a design to repair the lock gate heel'.
Make of that what you will.
Society building to be auctioned
The Transhipment Warehouse in Dobcross, by the side of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, is to be auctioned off.
The single storey building was originally used as a loading shed for the nearby Stonebottom Mill, built in the 1820s and after the closure of the mill the building was left empty until it was revived by the Saddleworth Historical Society.
Its interior being furnished with tables, chairs, etc.
Then since 2009 the building has served as an office and meeting space for the Huddersfield Canal Society, that won grants to restore the building.
But of course the society have now moved out prior to its sale by auction.
Found it
That seat that Mary at Mercia Marina told us about when we first arrived, we have found at last.
It took some months of searching all around the marina, but when you realise it covers a massive 77 acres of woods, parkland and ponds it is little wonder it took so long to discover.
The seat is outside the marina itself on Mercia's parkland that stretches to the Trent & Mersey Canal, and boaters can get to it over the footbridge by its canal entrance.
Though we came across it from a gate out of of the actual marina, with the purpose of finding it—and there it was!
Anyway, here it is, showing both sides of a log turned into not only a seat but two scenes from the waterways, believed to be by Allastair Farnston, it being one of many sculptures around the marina that we have shown.
It is told that he actually works with a chainsaw.
Senior project manager wanted
So CaRT is advertising for a senior project manager to oversee the restoration of the Anderton Boat Lift?
Well, as it has already had two efforts at repairing it, I wonder if they want someone to blame if things don't last for a third time?
For it is obvious that whoever the trust used in the past for repairs wasn't all that hot, as the lift has been closed all year.
But really, can there be anyone with the knowledge of boat lifts out there? I have my doubts.
Failed that first time
I remember at the re-opening of the lift way back in 2002 when a fella from the then British Waterways told the lift was good to last another 100 years, that alas, was only a hope!
On that auspicious day we went up with the rest of the Press together with the television people in the boat, to take a short cruise around the Trent & Mersey Canal, with the lift covered in flutterfetti to register the achievement, but alas when the lift reached the top its doors would not open, so down we went without the cruise, but to rather red faces
And so it started...
Victor Swift—telling tales for 25 years...