On we go

Friday and we were ready to set off at 10 o'clock to venture through the guillotine lock. Peter and Christine arrived, the man from C&RT arrived and the lock was opened for us. 

Initially we all stayed on the boat between locks. 

On the left you can just see Peter operating the ground paddle. 

However, as the canal got narrower and the water level got lower and the sides of the canal got more silted up, getting on and off the boat got to be more of a problem. So, Brigid and Peter ended up walking for much of the time. 

As usual, low bridges abound. Walking between locks wasn't too much of a problem since in the space of 2 1/2 miles there were 19 locks - 1 lock every 1/8 mile. Mind you, we hadn't intended covering the whole 2 1/2 miles in the one day. We thought that we could stop after a mile or so, moor up and walk to Marsden for supper. But when we got to our intended mooring place, we couldn't get anywhere near the bank to tie up - so, on we went, the whole way to Marsden. 

At lunch time we stopped in one of the locks having given up any thought of trying to tie up at the bank. And, anyway, no one else was coming up or down the canal. 

Poor old Peter thought he was coming out for a peaceful day on a canal boat, instead of which he ended up walking nearly all the way! Thank you Peter for all your help and your patience. 

 

Here we are at a lock that was restored in 2015 with the help of Blue Peter. 

Here we are climbing higher up into the Pennines. 

And a look back down the locks as we get near to Marsden. 

We arrived at the top lock and couldn't get it to open! The paddles had limiters fixed on them and water was leaking out faster than it was coming in. Eventually, with the aid of my ground spike, we got the gate open and moored for the night. 

And, at the end of the day, our gallant crew, Peter and Christine. They gallantly said that they had had a lovely day in spite of the rain and all the walking. Perhaps it was the pork pie at lunchtime that did the trick. 

In the evening the sun came out and, after a splendid meal at the Riverhead Brewery Tap, Peter and Christine set off to walk back to Slaithwaite. 

Thank you both for your friendship and your company. 

We're in Slaithwaite, or are we?

Thursday and we have a family watching and waving as we go through the lock. 

It's lovely the way families and walkers all wave and chat as we go past.  

In some respects this canal is quite neglected. Fuchsia and brambles over grow bridges and lock entrances and the pounds are shallow and silted up. Several times we had to let water out of the lock above us before we could move forward. 

Later in the day and rain starts coming across. In the background an old mill that is now apartments. 

Several times I had to lower the funnel to get through the bridges. 

And here we are coming into Slaithwaite. Or is it? The locals pronounce it Slough (as in plough) It. Slow-it. 

The canal in the middle of town and it's still very narrow. We moored for the night outside the handmade bakery and cafe and, later in the evening, Christine and Peter took us back to their flat for supper. Brigid and I know Christine from Pleshey and Cursillo. She and Peter were married last April. 

We had a look at the guillotine-type tailgate on the next lock up. This lock has to be operated by C&RT staff and we have booked to go through at 10am tomorrow when Christine and Peter will be joining us for the day. 

And now, the Huddersfield Narrow

Wednesday and a day to say farewell to broad canals for a while because now we are moving onto the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. 

Through a couple of very low tunnels and here we are, our first narrow lock for quite some while. 

But, what now? Brakes on and moor as a C&RT linesman tells us that the first pound is low on water and we will need to wait 1 hour while they let water down. The main problem is that the pounds a very short and if you take too much water down, you cause problems further up. 

But, after exactly 1 hour, through we go and we are on our way. 

Because of the water shortage there is another linesman around to see us through the next lock. 

Look at the width of the canal ahead of the boat - it really is narrow. 

See what I mean? 

We didn't get as far as anticipated but stopped at Milnsbridge for the night where there are good moorings. Only 2 miles and 8 locks. We thought we would save our strength for the following day. 

On to the Huddersfield Broad Canal

Tuesday and we set off from Mirfield in company with NB Willow, our lock buddy for the day. How is it, I wonder, that we keep befriending Australians? 

Hilary and Graeme live in Sydney and, like us, are out for 6 months on their boat. Willow is longer than us and, once again, we have to manoeuvre them into the lock first and we come in alongside. 

This is an old wharf crane in the centre of Mirfield. 

At Cooper Bridge Junction we could have continued straight on to Sowerby Bridge. Instead, we doubled back on ourselves to follow the Huddersfield Broad Canal. 

Looking back over our shoulder at the signpost onto the Calder & Hebble Navigation. 

The sky might look gloomy but not the captain. The early part of the canal was covered in duck weed but this cleared up as we moved forward. At one point we had a slight delay since the boat ahead could not open the lock gates. It appears that they didn't appreciate how to release the handcuff key locks on the paddles. 

As we entered Huddersfield we encountered the Turnbridge Loco Liftbridge dating from 1865. Doesn't it look good. 

It is now electronically operated (thank goodness) and here is the bridge half raised. Once again, traffic has to be stopped before the bridge can be opened - quite a heady power trip! 

This is the old lifting gear and the housing for the counterweights. 

Just as we cleared the bridge we found a mooring close to Sainsbury's when a hire boat pulled out and moved off. Willow also managed to find a space close by. 

In all we tackled 10 locks and travelled 7 miles. A slow old day but very enjoyable. 

A night at Mirfield

Cor, some heavy old locks today! 

Monday and we set off from Wakefield to sail to Mirfield. Just under 10 miles today but also 10 locks to contend with. At the very first lock I was able to use the bit of wood I bought the other day for £15. 

As you can see above you place the ground spike (that's its name) into the winding gear and then heave on it as hard as you can. In some cases this raises the gate paddle and/or ground paddle, in others it doesn't! Many of the gates have hydraulic mechanisms but you can't tell which. So, half the time you're walking around with a thumping great bit of wood over your shoulder which you don't need to use. And of course, when you leave it on the boat, that's when you need it. I also found my double length windlass as some of the paddles are very odd and very stubborn - see below!

Now that's a type of ground paddle I haven't seen before and, boy, is it tough to operate. I reckon I won't have any trouble winding the church clock when I get back to Bradwell! 

Luckily, just after the second lock, we buddied up with a hire boat for the rest of the day. The only problem with that was that on a couple of the locks their boat was too long to get the gates shut. Luckily our experience with the Banbury locks paid off and we got their boat in sideways, closed one gate, straightened them up and then we came in beside them. 

Parts of the journey were on the river and some on the canal but it wasn't very photogenic, so, not many pictures. 

Here we are moored at Mirfield for the night. Tomorrow I will try to book our passage through the Standedge Tunnel for next Monday. The tunnel is only operational 3 days a week with a maximum of 3 boats through each way. Would like to make sure we can get through when we want to and not have to wait around too long. 

Sunday, a day of rest (and racing)!

In the morning we went to the cathedral for communion. After that, back to the boat and an afternoon of F1 racing on the TV. 

I managed to get the blog up to date and then roast pork for supper. There's nothing like a roast on a Sunday. 

Tomorrow we are on our way again heading off toward Huddersfield and meeting more friends on the way. 

It's our Kath

Saturday and another VIP visitor - our Kath. Kath's sister lives in Wakefield and she popped over to see us first. Another morning of chatting all about home, families, church, operations, kids, canals - you name it, we covered it! Across to The Ruddy Duck for lunch followed by a short walk around. 

Doesn't she look well!? 

This is the Chantry Chapel built on Wakefield Bridge. 

We managed to poke our noses in the door just as 3 people were coming out from a 'private' lecture. It was quite obvious that they didn't want us to go in - such a shame, it's quite nice inside - I think, only time to step in, spin round and step out again. 

A view of the far side. After that Kath tried to find a geocache for us but we couldn't find it. Ah well, back to the boat for the group photo. 

You may wonder why we're clutching cushions, well, Kath made them for us. Thank you Kath and thank you for another lovely day. 

On to Wakefield

Friday and the repeat journey to Stanley Ferry. And, guess what, lunch at the pub again. 

A Brigid's eye view of Woodnook Lock. 

Just before Stanley Ferry is the repair yard and lock gate building workshop. The new gates are constantly soaked with water so that they don't dry out before being put in place. 

The suspension bridge is made up of a trough suspended from a two-pin cast iron arch - built on the same principle as the Sydney Harbour Bridge - but 100 years earlier! This was also another first of its kind in canal constructions. 

The information board gives some more details about it. 

We then carried on a further 2 miles to Wakefield and moored right in the centre opposite The Ruddy Duck pub. 

Tomorrow, another visitor coming to see us. You know, we've met more of our friends on this holiday than in normal day-to-day life. Wonderful! 

More VIPs come to visit

Thursday and mid morning Martin & Di arrived for a trip on the boat. We set off along the Aire & Calder Navigation on our way to Stanley Ferry for lunch. This is a 5 mile trip with 3 locks so, a couple of hours or so to get there. 

Luckily, all the locks were electronic but we still made sure that Martin had something useful to do. 

Look hard and you will see Di's head right at the front of the boat. When we got to Stanley Ferry it was a case of - no room at the Inn - sorry, mooring. The place was chokka! 

We settled Martin & Di in the pub with the food orders while Brigid and I went off to park the boat. That shows how stressed I was, not park - moor! We don't usually have problems finding a mooring but the canal was packed. No one moving, mind you, just all tied up head to tail for as far as you could see. 

We had a lovely lunch (thanks M&D) and then a leisurely return to Castleford. 

The reflection on the canal was quite magical. 

And here's a picture of the happy visitors. 

Tomorrow we repeat today's journey but move on to Wakefield where we are planning to meet up with Kath. More of that when we get there. 

Thanks Martin & Di for a lovely day together. It's quite refreshing for Brigid to have some intelligent conversation for a change. 😂

Waiting and Working

Wednesday and we managed to move across the canal on to the Visitor Mooring. We are just by a sign that says 'commercial craft only' but all the traffic on the cut is pleasure craft. I suppose, one day, the signs will gradually disappear. 

The forecast for the day wasn't too good so we walked into Castleford to find the Laundrette and then to Argos to pick up a shopping bag with wheels - I was fed up with carrying the washing and we would be buying some food as well. Also bought Brigid a new camera since her old one is playing up. 

Here's a view of the Millennium Bridge across the Aire & Calder. 

Back at the boat I got a shock. Brigid decided to wash the boat! I nearly had to lie down in a darkened room. 

Anyway, I popped out and look what I bought. It cost £15 and is going to be invaluable next week. Don't worry if you don't know what it is, all will be revealed in due course. 

In the evening the first barby of the year. 

With a nice bottle of Soave and nibbles.