Vlog 191: Damsons in Distress
Day two with Jasmin aboard (from This Narrowboat Adventure, link below) and we headed up from Stone through Stoke on Trent. There are several rather deep locks to traverse but the day was fine and we stopped to pick some towpath damsons as we went along.
See Jasmin’s video of the trip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXdu5gI0kvU
Start location: https://goo.gl/maps/sfPghb9NkMHy5eqn9
End location: https://goo.gl/maps/WDQF2SwHsUDg2mCE7
One comment re when to open gate paddles after opening the ground paddles. I have learned that best to open the ground paddle on the same side of the boat you have your line on. The water will shoot across the lock, rebound off the far wall and come back and sort of pin the boat to the wall so it does not wander around in the lock. A narrow boat on the the K & A and GUC will benefit. Even the wide beam we were on was more stable in a 14ft wide lock doing this.
Yes, for wide locks I agree absolutely, this is the best way to do it. Not relevant to narrow locks though.
Good Afternoon David, i’ve finally watched all ur vlogs, and was wondering how often do you post a vlog? As I now having nothing to watch with my cup of tea
Roughly – but only roughly mind you – once a week. Sometimes less if it’s a quiet time such as over winter etc. Have you seen my van conversion vlogs? ;-)
5 pounds of sloes ie wild damsons half pound sugar. 1 bottle of gin.
Prick sloes all over add to a large crock with sugar and gin Store in a cool dark place for a couple of months then bottle. Surprisingly does not taste of gin I have some in my fridge now its excellent
Sounds good!!
Hi David
Enjoyed your vlog as usual. Just a word on safety. Your lock wheeler should not go on and set the next lock if they are on their own. If there is a problem with your boat then the paddles should be dropped immediately. This cannot be done with you down in the lock on the boat and your lock wheeler up at the next lock.
Look out on one of the next vlogs for a short fat bloke on a hire boat at Froghall Tunnel. That’s me.
Jeff
It’s a fair point but she only went on ahead once the boat had risen to about half the lock height and the main turbulence had subsided plus I would then have been able to leap out and operate the paddles in case of emergency. I have been known to do this even as a single-hander (though it does make me slightly uncomfortable and I don’t leave until the boat is at least 3/4 of the way up the lock and I don’t do it when descending)
Lots and lots of great scenery on this one and Jasmine was working like a Dynamo! And . . . who wouldn’t love to purchase that fine house with it’s own guillotine gate for mooring . . . I think a Lottery ticket was money well spent ;)
Sadly the ticket won me nothing!