Hills, mills and an interesting day!

Today started with a trip to Sainsbury for the inevitable stock up before we headed for the hills. We have been warned by the locals about stiff lock gear, shallow pounds and the lack of places to moor. We have been told about an elderly couple who spent two days aground in mid channel because they couldn't get to the canal bank. We aren't detered, we are heading for the summit and the Standedge Tunnel. 8 miles, 42 locks and a lift bridge before 4pm on Tuesday, no problem.





Turnbridge Loco Lift Bridge

 The lift bridge was easy, it is electrically operated just close the barriers and push a few buttons. After that just a stop to fill up with water, empty the loo and dump the rubbish. Except that the water tap had no handle so Ray had to take the pliers to it to turn it on! Then across the canal to the marina to fill up with diesel. Problem  there was already someone on the diesel pump, and they wanted to wind (turn round) when they left and we were in their way. So Ray had to reverse back, Merlin jack-knifed, it was windy, great fun! Then when we got across we found that we couldn't get the fuel hose to reach our filler so we had to go back to the services mooring to detach Merlin then wind so we could reverse onto the fuel pump. Except that whilst doing that the loose end of one of Merlin's towing straps fell into the canal and got wrapped round the prop!! Eventually we got all that sorted, turned Morgana again so she was facing the right direction, rehitched Merlin and we were on our way. At least we gave the moorers at the marina some entertainment.

First lock, first problem, only a minor one, a BW tug and skip moored on the lock moorings so we just bumped alongside and I climbed across. Then the canal takes an interesting route through a very narrow passage which used to be a lock, through a tunnel that goes underneath a building and then up through a lock which replaces the one that has been removed to allow the canal to remain low enough to go under the building. Back on board, on to the third lock, through another tunnel under another building. This lock is skirted by a building site. Like I said it was windy, builders cutting paving slabs virtually beside you as you try to work a lock is not good. One dusty me and very dusty boat later we carried on. This time I was walking as the next lock was very close.

Now I'm no weakling, but I couldn't shift the paddle gear so I went back to the boat for Ray's windlass which is heavier, he volunteered to go and give it a try. So I waited and eventually I saw the movement on the water that told me the lock was emptying. With an audience of two guys in the pub garden and four members of the Huddersfield Canal Society I took the boat into the lock, thankfully without any bumps or problems. The next lock was even closer so another walk and we were soon up through that one. I hopped onboard for a ride to number six.

It was then that we found out what they had all been warning us about, it would have been impossible to moor, the edge was shallow and lined with rocks or fallen stones from the bank. I got Ray to drop me off at the bridge hole a couple of hundred yards before lock six in case we couldn't get in to the bank at the lock.

I looked towards the lock and couldn't believe my eyes, there was a boat coming down, I hadn't expected to meet anyone. I signalled to Ray to hold back until they were down. They were equally astonished, we were the first boat they had seen all day. Another lock was soon behind us, the stiff paddle gear was beginning to take its toll on me, I remembered there were moorings marked above lock eight in the canal society's guide. Into lock seven and I told Ray we were mooring above eight. I got one paddle raised to fill the lock, Ray realised I was tired so climbed off and raised the other. At last the end, for today at least, was in sight.

Lock eight, awkward gates, the lock beam actually extend across the footpath of the bridge, so you have to scramble over the wall. to fully open the gates. But we did it, Ray was out of the lock and heading for the moorings. Meanwhile I had spotted Moonspinners coming up behind us at lock seven so I raised a paddle so that the lock was emptying for them. We got moored beside an old mill but Moonspinners struggled with the depth and ended up moored about two foot from the bank. The scenery has consisted of old mills, some in use and some derelict beside the canal and views of distant hills as we continue to climb. Time for a glass of my elderflower champagne, which has turned out very well, even though I say so myself.

Today's journey 2.8 miles, 8 locks, 1 lift bridge and 2 tunnels

So far this year we have travelled 449.3 miles, 300 locks, 43 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 13 tunnels



In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1651 miles 1386 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 53 tunnels

Huddersfield

We arrived in Huddersfield yesterday afternoon, everyone seems surprised to see boats on the move, apparently one a week is the norm!  As one chap put it "There's loads moored at the boatyard but I don't think they ever go anywhere". This week must be a record as there are four of us on the move, we have been meeting and passing one another since Wakefield.

The lack of use shows in the stiffness of the paddle gear, but I have met worse. There aren't a lot of places to moor but enough considering how few boats are about. The canal route from Cooper Bridge to Huddersfield is a green corridor through a largely industrial area, you can see the industry if you look for it but it rarely intrudes on the canal until you actually reach Huddersfield.

The Sainsbury here is canal side but, annoyingly, doesn't have any moorings for shoppers. Even more annoying is the fact that there are moorings but they are for permanent moorers.

We did a bit of a scout round town today, there is quite a good market, nothing compared to Leeds but the prices are comparable.

We are booked to go through the Standedge Tunnel on Wednesday morning so we may move on from here tomorrow. The cats are beginning to climb the walls, almost literally, so I think we better find somewhere a bit more 'cat friendly'.

Yesterday's journey 2.3 miles and 7 locks

So far this year we have travelled 446.5 miles, 292 locks, 43 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 11 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1648.2 miles 1378 locks, 99 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 51 tunnels

New territory

The Calder and Hebble was officially open this morning so we continued our journey. On some of the river sections the flood warning boards were showing amber but the flow seems reasonable. What was an eye-opener was seeing debris that had obviously been washed downstream in the flood caught in trees as much as six feet above the current water level. Most the landing stages were covered in a layer of silt.

We stopped in Mirfield for a quick shop, we were running low on coffee, that could have been a disaster. After that we completed our journey on the Calder and Hebble at Cooper Bridge where we made the turn onto the Huddersfield Broad Canal. I was a bit worried about the turn as you virtually double back on yourself but it was very easy as once Morgana's prow was into the flow of the river at the junction the current took her round nicely.

The paddle gear on the two locks we have done so far on the Huddersfield reminds me of the Rochdale, stiff to operate and lacking lubrication. Two down, eighty one to go before we reach Ashton-under-Lyne.

Today's journey 5.4 miles and 6 locks

So far this year we have travelled 444.2 miles, 285 locks, 43 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 11 tunnels



In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1645.9 miles 1371 locks, 99 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 51 tunnels

Water, water everywhere!!

It will come as no surprise to anyone who saw or heard any news at the weekend that the Calder and Hebble was closed again over the weekend. The flood water that caused so many problems in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge on Friday night swept down the River Calder and although we had hoped to be safe from flooding on the canal the river broke it's bank near us and the flood water swept across the fields next to us and poured into the canal raising the level by over two feet. I don't have any photos of the flood at it's worst as the towpath was under a foot of water and a photo taken from the boat would just have shown lots of water. I was surprised that our mooring pins held as they were completely submerged.



This is a field not a lake!!



The water subsided fairly quickly on the canal but the field next to us remained under water for most of the weekend and was still waterlogged this morning. I felt sorry for the owners of the one house we could see between us and the river.



Our mooring after the water had gone down by about a foot!!

By Saturday night the water level was almost back to normal but the flood gates on the river were still closed for most of today. We have moved to some moorings close to Thornhill Flood Lock and there is just a small bit of green showing on the flood indicator board which means it is safe to carry on but the river is still running fairly fast. According to BW's website the river is still closed but a couple of boats have gone through so we will probably carry on tomorrow.

Today's journey 4.2 miles and 5 locks

So far this year we have travelled 438.8 miles, 279 locks, 42 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 11 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1640.5 miles 1365 locks, 99 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 51 tunnels

More rain!

We delayed our departure from Stanley Ferry until Wednesday morning, we had a good TV signal there and Ray wanted to be sure of seeing the England match on Tuesday night.

Wednesday morning dawned fair so we continued our journey, the water levels on the Calder were still high but the current wasn't too bad. We made maximum use of Fall Ing lock, the last of the large locks, four boats in, five if you include Merlin. After that we moored at Wakefield and headed for Sainsburys. Once we were stocked up with provisions for the next week we made the two mile trip back onto a canal section so that we weren't caught on the river if the weather forecast was right. Even though the locks officially are only big enough for boats 58 feet long and we are over 62 feet so far we haven't had any problems, if we find any that are a bit short we will have to breast Merlin up again.

We moored up last night near Horbury Bridge. We haven't moved today as the weather has been awful, torrential rain was forecast and that was what we got. I won't be at all surprised if Friday, yet again, brings a closure of the Calder and Hebble navigation. I phoned BW today to check that us towing Merlin wasn't going to be a problem for passage through the Standedge Tunnel, the good news is no problem! I haven't booked our passage through yet in case the river is closed again but hopefully we will go through the week after next.

Yesterday's journey 6.5 miles and 5 locks



So far this year we have travelled 434.6 miles, 274 locks, 42 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 11 tunnels



In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1636.3 miles, 1360 locks, 99 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 51 tunnels

Punting on the Aire

This morning I was thinking this is more like it, the sun was shining, virtually no wind and the water flow on the river looked a lot less so we started on our way to Wakefield. All went well at first, there was even a lockkeeper at Lemonroyd Lock so I didn't have to do any work. We did have to wait for a rather large boat to come up through the lock first.

After Lemonroyd we were on the river,cruising in the sunshine,watching the dragonflies and then we started slowing down. Not logical, we were heading downstream, something had fouled our prop,just as Ray slowed the engine it cut out! So there we were drifting downstream, with no power on a river which has big boats on it! The current took us in towards the bank! Our temperamental engine doesn't like starting when it is warm so even when the prop was clear we had to wait for the engine to cool before we could restart it. So we were punting a 45 foot narrowboat with butty down the shallows on the River Aire! Great fun!!

The current on the river was only running at about 1 mph so we drifted slowly on until we could restart, thankfully nothing came past us while we were drifting. Downstream to Castleford then a right turn upstream on the Calder, the current which had helped us now slowed us to less than 3 mph so it was a slow haul up to Fairies Hill and Woodnook lock which took us back onto canal rather than river. Last time were here we didn't see any big barges, this time we saw two, the oil tanker at Lemonroyd and a similar size gravel barge on the Calder just as we approached the railway bridge. not surprisingly we let him take the centre span of the bridge and we went through one of the side arches. When we got through the lock onto the canal I saw that the traffic light at the top of the lock was flashing red indicating that the river should not be navigated and we had just come up it!

We had an uneventful journey from Woodnook to Stanley Ferry, the only point of note was seeing Ngarpi, who we travelled with on the Rochdale two years ago.

We are now moored at Stanley Ferry, heading for Wakefield and a grocery shop tomorrow.

Today's journey 10.1 miles and 5 locks

So far this year we have travelled 428.1 miles, 269 locks, 42 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 11 tunnels



In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1629.8 miles, 1355 locks, 99 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 51 tunnels

Woodlesford

We spent a pleasant couple of days in the centre of Leeds. My visit to Leeds market has resulted in some strawberry vodka being made, two punnets of strawberries for £1 w
as too good a deal to pass up. I do like Leeds, I'm not a great fan of cities but Leeds has to be one of the best. I am a big fan of Leeds market, I think if I lived there I would eat very well at about half the price.

Yesterday we decided to move on, the disadvantage of the city centre is that the cats have to stay in and they do like their freedom. We have headed down to Woodlesford, still close enough to Leeds for visiting but now we are moored at a nice spot overlooking the River Aire, it is the same spot where we spent midsummer two years ago. The cats seem to like it here, the kittens are nearly weaned now so it won't be long before we have to find homes for them. Nimue has started bringing mice home for them to eat, yesterday she brought home a rat! It was still alive so I quickly evicted both Nimue and the rat.

We are keeping busy doing a few bits around the boat, we have moved our topbox from Morgana to Merlin, at the moment Ray is trying to construct a "cat safety gate" which will allow us to have the front doors open without letting the cats out. I have started making a gallon of elderflower "champagne", I've never made it before so I have my fingers crossed.

We are heading for the Huddersfield Canal, hopefully we will be able to go through the Standedge tunnel, unpowered boats aren't allowed through but I don't know if that applies to butties. If we can't go through the tunnel we will have to go back across the Pennines via the Rochdale canal or back across on the Leeds and Liverpool. From here we have a few miles of river, downstream on the Aire and upstream on the Calder before we are back on canals.We probably won't make any progress until after the weekend as there is some very heavy rain forecast and we would rather stay off of the river until that has passed.

Yesterday's journey 5.3 miles and 4 locks

So far this year we have travelled 418 miles, 264 locks, 42 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 11 tunnels



In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1619.7 miles, 1350 locks, 99 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 51 tunnels

On the move again

After our lazy week enjoying time with family we got on the move again this morning. Nicholas has really become enthusiastic about the boat and is now very confident getting on and off. I think that he was quite disappointed that we didn't go anywhere yesterday!

The river locks on the Aire and the Calder had been closed for part of the weekend but were opened again yesterday as river levels had subsided a bit. At least we haven't been as badly hit as some other parts of the country.

It is a fairly long haul down into the centre of Leeds which has to be done as a single trip as there is nowhere that it is considered advisable to moor on the way. We are spending a couple of nights at the Hilton, well moored opposite it anyway. I want to pay a visit to Leeds Market and also to my favourite aromatherapy shop so that will take care of tomorrow.

Wednesday should see us on the move again, probably not very far as there are some nice spots to moor between here and Castleford.

Today's journey 6.3 miles, 12 locks and 2 swing bridges

So far this year we have travelled 412.7 miles, 260 locks, 42 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 11 tunnels



In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels


During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels


Since Ray retired we have travelled 1614.4 miles, 1346 locks, 99 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 51 tunnels~

And now for a short intermission

We reached Rodley yesterday morning, we stopped just before Owl swing bridge to meet Tim, Margaret and Nicholas for them to join us for our last half mile of journey. Tim helped me with the swing bridges and spent part of the time on he stern with Ray and part up front with Margaret and Nicholas. Nicholas seems to love the boat.


After we had moored we went to their place for a barbeque, it was a bit chilly but a very enjoyable afternoon and evening. Tim, Ray and Nicholas went to the park for a while and Margaret and I did the prep for the barbie. After dinner we watched the Jubilee concert on the telly.

We will be here until at least next Monday so we can make the most of seeing the family.


Monday's journey 2.7 miles and 2 swing bridges

So far this year we have travelled 406.4 miles, 248 locks, 41 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 11 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1608.1 miles, 1334 locks, 97 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 51 tunnels

A belated post!

We spent Thursday at our mooring near bridge 211, watching the rain fall! Well, we did get some washing done too. We are now at Apperley Bridge, watching the rain fall. We arrived here on Friday having made the short  journey from there.

Since we have been here we took the trek up the hill to Greengates to go to Sainsbury, topped up with diesel, bought a gas bottle and yesterday we went to visit Tim, Margaret and Nicholas. Every time we see Nicholas he seems more pleased to see us, I love his enthusiasm. he was totally unfazed by being left with Ray and I while Tim went to collect Margaret from work. We spent a nice afternoon and evening with them with a lovely Chilli con Carne for dinner.

I'm hoping to watch some of the Thames Pageant today but our TV signal isn't brilliant so I ask Margaret to record it for me just in case.

The weather is so horrible I don't think we will make the journey to Rodley today but tomorrow morning doesn't look too bad.

Friday's journey 2.3 miles, 5 locks and 4 swing bridges

So far this year we have travelled 403.7 miles, 248 locks, 39 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 11 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1605.4 miles, 1334 locks, 95 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 51 tunnels