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Approaching
lock from upper pool typically goes from nice and
wide to very narrow with only and inch or two clearance on
each side to the narrowboat whilst in the lock! (1999)
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Lower
narrowboat in lock can be quite interesting if
both lock paddles are quickly and fully opened at the same
time - it causes a water surge rolling the narrowboat
quickly forward. (1999)
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Leaks
in lock! Leaks from the upper gate are common.
Not common, but occurring are leaks from the lock sidewall
masonry - when this happens batten-down the hatches, close
the windows and the doors! (1999)
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The
narrowboat Silver Vale at 65 feet length is a tight fit in
locks and shown here shares a double-wide lock at the
Bunbury
double staircase. Cindy in background chats with
the lock master. (6/27/2001) |
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At
the Red Bull lock #42 on the Trent & Mersey Canal
Silver Vale crosses under the the Pool Lock Aqueduct
carrying the Macclesfield Canal over the Trent &
Mersey. (7/2/2001) |
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Red
Bull Lock #41 is like many locks along the UK canals where
a "pub" is conveniently located nearby to
address the food and thirst needs of the narrowboat crews.
(7/2/2001). |
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South
of Red Bull Lock #41 is the junction of the Trent &
Mersey and Macclesfield Canals. On this day we
continue southeast on the T&M and enter the Harecastle
Tunnel just a short distance away. (7/2/2001) |
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The
Robert Aickman Lock just
north of Evesham on the river Avon is typical of the locks
on the Avon and Severn - quite wide in comparison with the
typical narrow canal lock. Of note in a flood a few years
ago, the river water was as high as the cross walk shown
in this picture. (6/8/05) |
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The
River Severn side view of one of the two
Diglis
Locks that allows ascent onto the Worcester &
Birmingham Canal. On the Silver Spirit we wait our
turn to join a narrowboat already entering the double-wide
lock. (6/9/05) |
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The
Tardebigge flight of 30 locks in the space of less than 3
miles makes this section of the Worcester & Birmingham
Canal quite famous amongst the UK canals and completing
these locks is a narrowboat person's "Rite of
Passage".
Silver Spirit entered the Tardebigge Bottom Lock (#29)
at 9:10 AM and exited the Top Lock (#58) at 12:55! Shown
upper left the Silver Spirit passes under
bridge
54 and enters into
lock
50. One crew member is already at the next lock
in the flight readying it for Silver Spirit's entry.
This method of readying the lock ahead greatly speeds up
passage.
Tardebigge Top Lock
is one of the deepest locks at 14ft deep (middle-left) and
Cindy smiles a sign of
relief (lower-left) as we finish the flight and what
will be the last lock on our Avon Ring travel for a few
days. (6/12/05) |
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