On Tue, Apr 6, 2010 at 10:42 PM, Ian Mac <[email protected]> wrote: > For the view > Lock 5 on the Ashton Canal at sunset with the whole of Manchester city > centre winking in the sunlight still takes a lot of beating,
...and knowing (not personally) some of the locals, you probably would! Favourite Sections? I like the top end to the tunnel of the Chesterfield above Shireoaks, and in fact some of the lower end is nice as well. While not really a canal, the River Trent in the right weather can be pleasent. The summit of the Leicester Arm makes many a pretty picture, as does the top end of the Rochdale, Hudderfield Narrow, and odd parts of the Leeds and Liverpool. For their shear size, canals like the Aire and Calder and Manchester Ship Canal always impress - especially as you still get actual commercial traffic on them. Favourite lock flights... I quite like Farmers Bridge, especially since some locks are close enough to jump ship as the boat leaves the lock, close the gate while the boat finds its way into the next lock, then run to the top paddles to stop the boat hitting the gate! Stockton also seemed to go smoothly even though I did it single handed in the dark! Hatton while pretty is a few locks too many in one run, especially with them many turn paddles - but boy are them locks good at filling and emptying. However, Hillmorton are the most fun, as you can play with two locks at a time, and also have races. The trick is knowing which are the quickest! :-) Cheers, Mike -- Michael Askin http://shoestring_DOT_zapto_DOT_org/
