How to use the online alarm clock
As you finish at the canal and prepare to leave, set the alarm for 7:47 am so the lock is ready for the first boat. That gives you a clear cue to complete the final checks before the 8:00 am movement, without relying on a hurried glance at the clock. Put keys, windlass and any required notes where the next person will find them.
Before walking away from the gate, test the selected signal once at the same volume you intend to use. A trial now confirms that the tone is audible above water, engines and conversation, rather than discovering a problem when the boat is already approaching. This browser alarm cannot sound if its page is closed or the phone or computer goes to sleep, which could leave the canal gate unopened for the arrival.
Early light can make dark controls, wet edges and shaded paths difficult to distinguish, especially on an overcast British morning. Position a torch before 7:47 am so it lights the lock mechanism without shining towards the steerer, and check that its beam reaches the footing you will use. If daylight is strengthening, keep the torch available until the first boat has passed rather than packing it with the rest of your gear.
Common questions
Will it still be right when the clocks change?
Yes. It reads your device's local clock, so the move between GMT and BST at the end of March and October is picked up automatically, as long as the computer's date, time and time zone are set correctly.
Can I use this on a phone?
It works in a mobile browser, but phones lock the screen and suspend background tabs far more readily than a laptop does, which can stop the alarm sounding. For anything important, a desktop or a plugged-in laptop is the steadier option.
Does the alarm still work if I close the tab?
No. Everything runs inside this page, so closing the tab — or quitting the browser altogether — ends the countdown there and then. Leaving it open in the background is all it asks, and switching to another tab makes no difference.
What happens if my laptop goes to sleep before 7:47 am?
The tab sleeps along with it and the alarm will not sound on time, if at all. If you are relying on it, change the power settings so the machine stays awake, or keep a phone alarm running as well.
Cookie policy