Today's journey has taken us to the end of the Huddersfield Narrow and onto the short stretch of the Ashton Canal before we reach Portland Basin and the junction with the Peak Forest Canal.
My cold is no better but no worse. The day started with the short journey into Stalybridge and a brief visit to Tesco. When supermarkets are right next to the canal it does make getting heavy shopping so much easier.
After that we carried on our way to the moorings at Ashton-under-Lyne. I have decided that unless I wanted to do the full length of the Huddersfield again I would probably only cruise the eastern side. I have found the western side far less scenic and not as interesting. There is far too much relatively modern but derelict industry on this side. The only thing that is possibly better on this side was the locks through Stalybridge which are fairly new and easier to work.
We are planning to stay here a couple of days because of the predicted weather and also because I'm feeling less than 100%. Our next two our three days cruising should take us up the Peak Forest Canal to Whaley Bridge, including the 16 locks of the Marple Flight.
Today's journey 2.4 miles, 8 locks and 1 tunnel
So far this year we have travelled 466.8 miles, 366 locks, 43 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 16 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 1668.5 miles 1452 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 56 tunnels
Thursday, 12 July 2012
Wednesday, 11 July 2012
More fun on the Huddersfield
As predicted we spent two nights at Roaches Lock, the weather forecast was right and we had another day of rain yesterday. We have realised how lucky we are that Morgana has a shallow draught. Other boats that moored close to us couldn't get all the way into the bank because i it is so shallow.
The rain continues to cause problems, the Aire and Calder and the Calder and Hebble have been closed since last Friday and now the Hudderfield Narrow is closed, luckily for us on the east side so it doesn't affect us. The notice of the stoppage isn't promising as the canal is blocked by debris and there is no indication of when they hope to get it open!
We continued our journey, partly in sunshine as far as Bywith Lock, which is about a mile from Stalybridge. Only a short journey but I seem to have picked up a bit of a cold so that was enough for me today.
Today's journey 2.7 miles, 6 locks and 1 tunnel
So far this year we have travelled 464.4 miles, 358 locks, 43 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 15 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 1666.1 miles 1444 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 55tunnels
The rain continues to cause problems, the Aire and Calder and the Calder and Hebble have been closed since last Friday and now the Hudderfield Narrow is closed, luckily for us on the east side so it doesn't affect us. The notice of the stoppage isn't promising as the canal is blocked by debris and there is no indication of when they hope to get it open!
We continued our journey, partly in sunshine as far as Bywith Lock, which is about a mile from Stalybridge. Only a short journey but I seem to have picked up a bit of a cold so that was enough for me today.
Today's journey 2.7 miles, 6 locks and 1 tunnel
So far this year we have travelled 464.4 miles, 358 locks, 43 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 15 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 1666.1 miles 1444 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 55tunnels
Monday, 9 July 2012
One of my babies has left home!
The first of our kittens left us this morning, Lightning has gone to live in Chester with a lovely couple. They are boat owners but not live aboards. I put pictures of Storm and Lightning on a Narrowboat Users Forum on Facebook and they got in touch straight away and drove over from Chester to collect her this morning.
Since last Thursday we have mainly been in Uppermill. We sat out Friday watching the rain fall. Where we were moored was very shady even in the sunshine so with heavy cloud it was very dark! I think we had the lights on all day. Saturday was better and we did move down through the lock so we were by the woods between the canal and the River Tame. I wished I had taken before and after photos, the river had changed from a fast flowing shallow big stream to a raging torrent,swollen with Friday's rain.
On Sunday we went to the small farmer's market that is held at Saddleworth Museum,some very nice food, we bought some bread and a couple of Cornish pasties. Very tasty!
After Lightning had been collected to go to her new home this morning we continued our journey southwards. The canal is fairly shallow, but we didn't have any major problems. The towpath was closed at one point so I hitched a ride between two locks where I would normally have walked . We have moored for the night below Roaches Lock, if the weather forecast is right tomorrow will be another day off!!
We have now travelled further this year than we did all year last year, but not as many locks!
Since Saturday we have travelled 1.8 miles and 7 locks
So far this year we have travelled 461.7 miles, 352 locks, 43 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 14 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 1663.4 miles 1438 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 54 tunnels
Since last Thursday we have mainly been in Uppermill. We sat out Friday watching the rain fall. Where we were moored was very shady even in the sunshine so with heavy cloud it was very dark! I think we had the lights on all day. Saturday was better and we did move down through the lock so we were by the woods between the canal and the River Tame. I wished I had taken before and after photos, the river had changed from a fast flowing shallow big stream to a raging torrent,swollen with Friday's rain.
On Sunday we went to the small farmer's market that is held at Saddleworth Museum,some very nice food, we bought some bread and a couple of Cornish pasties. Very tasty!
After Lightning had been collected to go to her new home this morning we continued our journey southwards. The canal is fairly shallow, but we didn't have any major problems. The towpath was closed at one point so I hitched a ride between two locks where I would normally have walked . We have moored for the night below Roaches Lock, if the weather forecast is right tomorrow will be another day off!!
We have now travelled further this year than we did all year last year, but not as many locks!
Since Saturday we have travelled 1.8 miles and 7 locks
So far this year we have travelled 461.7 miles, 352 locks, 43 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 14 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 1663.4 miles 1438 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 54 tunnels
Thursday, 5 July 2012
I realised as I started to do today's blog that I hadn't done the "story so far" mileages on yesterday's so I've amended that.
We didn't make a very early start this morning but decided we would make some progress today. Ray seems quite taken with the idea of doing the locks so I was steerer today. Now the Huddersfield Canal is unusual, normally the numbering of locks starts at one end and continues through to the other. Not on the Huddersfield, here the locks are numbered 1 to 42 east on the Yorkshire side of Standedge Tunnel and then 32 to 1 west going down on the Lancashire, or should I say Greater Manchester, side. I blame the War of the Roses myself!
The first few locks only have single gates both top and bottom which is unusual, Ray found a couple of them a bit heavy but most were OK. We got lots of waves from a party of school children who were obviously on a canal visit. At lock 25W we met the first of two boats coming up, that were going through the tunnel tomorrow. Then at 24W we met the couple off of the second boat that was going through tomorrow, they had taken a stroll and were on their way back to get their boat and start their ascent.
We stopped at the services below 24W for water and to empty the loo then we carried on towards Uppermill, our intended overnight stop. I got off at the bridge before 23W to set the lock as Ray was rolling a ciggie. The top gate at this one was hard to shift but a very kind passing policeman lent me a hand. They say you know you are getting old when policemen look young but this one looked barely old enough to be in the sixth form!! We had a bit of a chat as he had enjoyed a few boating holidays.
When Morgana was in the lock I took back over on the tiller. Exiting the lock was interesting as initially you are heading straight at a pillar of the Saddleworth Viaduct and of course you can't turn as the rest of the boat is still in the lock. Once the boat is far enough out of the lock to turn you skim past the pillar and then have to straighten up ready for the next lock. A bit like the chicane on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, but much slower. Unfortunately I couldn't get a photo as I exited, I was a bit occupied!! This gives you a bit of an idea.
At the next lock, our last of the day, we met the Pennine Moonaker, a trip boat with a load of school children on board, I'm not sure if they were the same ones that we had met earlier. They were just going up to 24W winding and coming back to Uppermill. The lady from Pennine Moonraker gave Ray a hand with the lock gate as it was another heavy one. He stayed to give her a hand with the bottom gates while I slowly cruised on towards the moorings at Uppermill waiting for him to catch up with me and meeting Mi Amigo, the other boat going through the tunnel tomorrow, on the way.
Once we had moored we realised that my windlass was missing! I had been so busy chatting to the young policeman that I had managed to leave it behind. Ray walked back hoping that it was still there. Luckily the lady on Pennine Moonraker had seen it, realised it must be ours, picked it up and was bringing it back down to us. Ray hitched a ride back with them so didn't have to walk all the way. That is the first time in eight years that I've managed to leave a windlass behind.
We have seen some headlines that threaten two months rain over the next three days, with more flooding, so we think we will probably just move down into the next pound which is more cat-friendly and then stay there for the weekend.
Today's journey 1.7 miles and 11 locks
So far this year we have travelled 459.9 miles, 345 locks, 43 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 14 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 1661.6 miles 1431 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 54 tunnels
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| Standedge Tunnel West Portal |
The first few locks only have single gates both top and bottom which is unusual, Ray found a couple of them a bit heavy but most were OK. We got lots of waves from a party of school children who were obviously on a canal visit. At lock 25W we met the first of two boats coming up, that were going through the tunnel tomorrow. Then at 24W we met the couple off of the second boat that was going through tomorrow, they had taken a stroll and were on their way back to get their boat and start their ascent.
We stopped at the services below 24W for water and to empty the loo then we carried on towards Uppermill, our intended overnight stop. I got off at the bridge before 23W to set the lock as Ray was rolling a ciggie. The top gate at this one was hard to shift but a very kind passing policeman lent me a hand. They say you know you are getting old when policemen look young but this one looked barely old enough to be in the sixth form!! We had a bit of a chat as he had enjoyed a few boating holidays.
When Morgana was in the lock I took back over on the tiller. Exiting the lock was interesting as initially you are heading straight at a pillar of the Saddleworth Viaduct and of course you can't turn as the rest of the boat is still in the lock. Once the boat is far enough out of the lock to turn you skim past the pillar and then have to straighten up ready for the next lock. A bit like the chicane on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, but much slower. Unfortunately I couldn't get a photo as I exited, I was a bit occupied!! This gives you a bit of an idea.
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| Saddleworth Viaduct from inside Lock 23W |
At the next lock, our last of the day, we met the Pennine Moonaker, a trip boat with a load of school children on board, I'm not sure if they were the same ones that we had met earlier. They were just going up to 24W winding and coming back to Uppermill. The lady from Pennine Moonraker gave Ray a hand with the lock gate as it was another heavy one. He stayed to give her a hand with the bottom gates while I slowly cruised on towards the moorings at Uppermill waiting for him to catch up with me and meeting Mi Amigo, the other boat going through the tunnel tomorrow, on the way.
Once we had moored we realised that my windlass was missing! I had been so busy chatting to the young policeman that I had managed to leave it behind. Ray walked back hoping that it was still there. Luckily the lady on Pennine Moonraker had seen it, realised it must be ours, picked it up and was bringing it back down to us. Ray hitched a ride back with them so didn't have to walk all the way. That is the first time in eight years that I've managed to leave a windlass behind.
We have seen some headlines that threaten two months rain over the next three days, with more flooding, so we think we will probably just move down into the next pound which is more cat-friendly and then stay there for the weekend.
Today's journey 1.7 miles and 11 locks
So far this year we have travelled 459.9 miles, 345 locks, 43 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 14 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 1661.6 miles 1431 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 54 tunnels
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
The longest, highest and deepest!
Up with the lark this morning ready to go through Standedge Tunnel. At 5686 yards long (3.23 miles), about 637 feet above sea level and passing under the moors which at their highest are 630 feet above you as you pass through the tunnel it is the longest, highest and deepest tunnel on the canal network. There is a railway ttnnel whuich runs beside and slightly above it and a maintenance tunnel which I thnk serves both the canal and the railway.
Before you can go through the tunnel the boats are measured as the tunnel is very narrow in places and also very low at times. Once measured a 'chaperone ' comes on board, the steerer is provided with an inflatable lifejacket, a high viz vest and a hard hat and you can get on your way. Unfortunately because the chaperone was on the back with Ray and they only provide one hard hat for the steerer I had to stay inside the boat for the journey.
Most tunnels are brick or concrete lined but most of the Standedge is bare rock so there isn't a nice even arch to steer through. It is so rough hewn and isn't a nice straight tunnel, so much of the steering was guess work as to where the tunnel went! I think the narrower bits were probably easier! At times there seemed virtually no space between the boat and the tunnel walls. In some places it opens out so much that it is like being in an underground cavern. The boats are checked through the tunnel at about four points by someone who goes through the maintenance tunnel, I suppose this is to make sure you haven't broken down and also to keep a good distance between boats. Ray managed to bang his head twice on the way through and anyone who knows him knows he isn't particularly tall.
It was strange for me to be looking out from the boat instead of being outside, the bumps sound a lot worse inside the boat too!! It took us about an hour and three quarters to complete the journey and I think we were both glad to see daylight again. Would we do it again? Probably. Would we want to wait at least a couple of years before doing it again? Definitely!! I have generously siad I will steer through the next tunnel (it's only 205 yards long).
Even though we had only done two hours travelling we decided to take the rest of the day off, So did the otherr two boats who had come through behind us. We are moored at Diggle, at the western end of the tunnel and will probably start the journey down towards Ashton under Lyne tomorrow.
Today's journey 3.3 miles and 1 tunnel
So far this year we have travelled 458.2 miles, 334 locks, 43 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 14 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 1659.9 miles 1420 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 54 tunnels
Before you can go through the tunnel the boats are measured as the tunnel is very narrow in places and also very low at times. Once measured a 'chaperone ' comes on board, the steerer is provided with an inflatable lifejacket, a high viz vest and a hard hat and you can get on your way. Unfortunately because the chaperone was on the back with Ray and they only provide one hard hat for the steerer I had to stay inside the boat for the journey.
Most tunnels are brick or concrete lined but most of the Standedge is bare rock so there isn't a nice even arch to steer through. It is so rough hewn and isn't a nice straight tunnel, so much of the steering was guess work as to where the tunnel went! I think the narrower bits were probably easier! At times there seemed virtually no space between the boat and the tunnel walls. In some places it opens out so much that it is like being in an underground cavern. The boats are checked through the tunnel at about four points by someone who goes through the maintenance tunnel, I suppose this is to make sure you haven't broken down and also to keep a good distance between boats. Ray managed to bang his head twice on the way through and anyone who knows him knows he isn't particularly tall.
It was strange for me to be looking out from the boat instead of being outside, the bumps sound a lot worse inside the boat too!! It took us about an hour and three quarters to complete the journey and I think we were both glad to see daylight again. Would we do it again? Probably. Would we want to wait at least a couple of years before doing it again? Definitely!! I have generously siad I will steer through the next tunnel (it's only 205 yards long).
Even though we had only done two hours travelling we decided to take the rest of the day off, So did the otherr two boats who had come through behind us. We are moored at Diggle, at the western end of the tunnel and will probably start the journey down towards Ashton under Lyne tomorrow.
Today's journey 3.3 miles and 1 tunnel
So far this year we have travelled 458.2 miles, 334 locks, 43 swing bridges, 2 lift bridges and 14 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 1659.9 miles 1420 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 54 tunnels
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
At the tunnel mouth, at last
This morning I was woken very early, just after six, by the sound of paddlegear being wound. Far to enthusiastic for my liking. We were told yesterday that the repairs would definitely be finished so we made an early start as we had eighteen locks to negotiate,We agreed to split the journey with me steering and Ray working the locks for the first nine and then switching thing around for the second nine.
My half of the journey at the tiller went fairly well, there was one lock where a bank of silt had built up across the lock entrance about two foot below the surface which made getting into the lock interesting but by taking it slowly I managed to get in. We met the first couple of boats that were descending the flight just as I was about to hand over to Ray. Then everything went wrong!
We had just ascended lock 33E when a walker alerted us to the fact that there was no water above the next lock. I walked up to find Freedom, with Sue on board in the lock with nowhere to go. John had cycled up to see what the situation was. We had a chat and I phoned CART for assistance as there was another boat waiting to descend in lock 36E. We were assured they would send someone out. While we were waiting John and the crew of the descending boat let some water down but not enough to get the boats through. While this was happening lock 34E, which Sue was in, was leaking so badly that she was going down in the lock. We managed to get Freedom out of 34E and into 35E and Morgana into 34E. Assistance now arrived, initially two chaps but eventually six. They let water down from the top so that we could all get on our way but it was a slow job as the empty pounds had to be refilled. By this time Lytham Green had caught up with us as well so there we three boats going up and one down. It took six hours to get through the first twelve locks of the day, up to 36E and about and hour and a half to get through the remaining six. Most of the time had been getting through the three locks from 34E to 36E.
Ray was sulking because he had done all the work for the first nine and I had very little to do on the second nine because of all the help we had. We moored for a short time on the visitors moorings at Marsden so we could go to the shops then we moved onto the tunnel moorings. Ray spent some time yesterday clearing the roof of wood etc and then this evening he moved my plant pots off ready to go through the tunnel.
Both Gordon and an anonymous reader of the blog have told me that the 'Local Shop' was actually in The League of Gentlemen and my anonymous reader has told me it was actually filmed at Marsden! Apologies to all locals, I was only joking about the local canal, in spite of everything I have enjoyed the first half of the Huddersfield! Please don't take offence and retaliate by sinking my boat! Well, I do want to be able to come back here though I'll let you know tomorrow whether we would attempt the tunnel again!
Today's journey 2.8 miles and 18 locks
So far this year we have travelled 454.9 miles, 334 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 1656.6 miles 1420 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 53 tunnels
My half of the journey at the tiller went fairly well, there was one lock where a bank of silt had built up across the lock entrance about two foot below the surface which made getting into the lock interesting but by taking it slowly I managed to get in. We met the first couple of boats that were descending the flight just as I was about to hand over to Ray. Then everything went wrong!
We had just ascended lock 33E when a walker alerted us to the fact that there was no water above the next lock. I walked up to find Freedom, with Sue on board in the lock with nowhere to go. John had cycled up to see what the situation was. We had a chat and I phoned CART for assistance as there was another boat waiting to descend in lock 36E. We were assured they would send someone out. While we were waiting John and the crew of the descending boat let some water down but not enough to get the boats through. While this was happening lock 34E, which Sue was in, was leaking so badly that she was going down in the lock. We managed to get Freedom out of 34E and into 35E and Morgana into 34E. Assistance now arrived, initially two chaps but eventually six. They let water down from the top so that we could all get on our way but it was a slow job as the empty pounds had to be refilled. By this time Lytham Green had caught up with us as well so there we three boats going up and one down. It took six hours to get through the first twelve locks of the day, up to 36E and about and hour and a half to get through the remaining six. Most of the time had been getting through the three locks from 34E to 36E.
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| Not enough water to float my boat! |
Ray was sulking because he had done all the work for the first nine and I had very little to do on the second nine because of all the help we had. We moored for a short time on the visitors moorings at Marsden so we could go to the shops then we moved onto the tunnel moorings. Ray spent some time yesterday clearing the roof of wood etc and then this evening he moved my plant pots off ready to go through the tunnel.
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| Standedge Tunnel East Portal |
Both Gordon and an anonymous reader of the blog have told me that the 'Local Shop' was actually in The League of Gentlemen and my anonymous reader has told me it was actually filmed at Marsden! Apologies to all locals, I was only joking about the local canal, in spite of everything I have enjoyed the first half of the Huddersfield! Please don't take offence and retaliate by sinking my boat! Well, I do want to be able to come back here though I'll let you know tomorrow whether we would attempt the tunnel again!
Today's journey 2.8 miles and 18 locks
So far this year we have travelled 454.9 miles, 334 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 1656.6 miles 1420 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 53 tunnels
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Local canal for local people (with thanks to my brother Gordon)
After my last post my brother sent me an email recalling the "Local shop for local people" sketch in (he thinks) The Fast Show. He suggested that the Huddersfield Narrow is a canal run on the same principle, detering visitors and keeping its delights for the locals. His theory is that normally the canal is a pleasant and easy cruise but when a 'foreign' boat is reported the locals tip wheelbarrows of rocks and mud into the canal and render the paddle gear unworkable with some Isopon. Yesterday's journey did much to support his theory.
When we were readying ourselves to leave John from Moonspinners knocked to tell us that the pound above the next lock was virtually dry. He was going to phone BW but I suggested we just rewater the pound ourselves by letting some water down rather than waiting for them. He and Jean had never done that before so I went to help and offer guidance. In order to refill one pound you have to let water down through a few locks otherwise you just drain one pound to fill another. The empty pound had the normal complement of bikes, rocks and the obligitory traffic cone in it, but no shopping trolley! By the time we had the water supply sorted Ray had come to join us and he walked up to the next lock where I had been struggling to get one gates fully open. There he met two BW guys who had just arrived and ticked him off for setting too many locks and wasting water! Poor Ray he was the only one who hadn't been letting the water down.
We got Moonspinners up through the first lock, managed to squeeze her into the second with a bit of help from Meesrs BW and they were on their way. I pointed out to the BW guys that their arrival had saved me a phone call to report the state of the empty pound, that it had been necessary to rewater the pound and the only way to do that was to let water down from the larger pound, very politely of course! They didn't have a lot of answer to that. No photos of all this as I foolishly let my camera battery run flat.
For a while the day actually got better, we made our way up through eight locks with only very minor problems. We were hoping to stop after the ninth. In the eighth lock of the day our water filter got blocked and rather than risk overheating Ray spent the time to clear it before we moved on. While he was doing that the sky ahead of us darkened, I saw a lightning strike, heard a rumble of thunder. I said "we might just get moored before the heavens open". I was wrong. As I got to the next lock the rain came down, not in drops but in torrents, I didn't even have a coat on. I was soon sporting the "Drowned Rat 2012" look again. Even sheltering under the trees only provided limited protection. At last we got up through the lock, here there were moorings marked, Moonspinners was already moored. There were only mooring rings for one boat, the canal is edged with stone blocks, no grass verge. I could see grass further along, we tried to hammer mooring pins in, they penetrated about three inches, no choice but to carry on.
Ray and I did a role reversal, I took the tiller while he worked the locks, at least the rain stopped, there were moorings marked above lock twentytwo, only another five. We reached there, the moorings were fully occupied, next moorings above lock twentyfour.Two more locks, the last of which has a guillotine gate which lifts straight up, over a hundred and thirty turns of the windlass to raise it and of course it rained again. At last a place to moor, this is where I had intended to reach today so we have a day off. I love Slaithwaite (pronounced Slawit), it is my sanctuary, my salvation. Tomorrow up to lock thirtyone, leaving us eleven to do on Tuesday.
Except that I have just had an 'alert' from BW, a service I use to inform me of closures etc, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is closed at lock thirtyseven until further notice due to damage to the lock cill. In my experience this could be a day or a week. At least here we have access to shops and services, so we won't move until the canal is clear and may have to rebook our passage through the tunnel.
Yesterday's journey 2.8 miles and 16 locks
So far this year we have travelled 452.1 miles, 316 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 1653.8 miles 1402 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 53 tunnels
When we were readying ourselves to leave John from Moonspinners knocked to tell us that the pound above the next lock was virtually dry. He was going to phone BW but I suggested we just rewater the pound ourselves by letting some water down rather than waiting for them. He and Jean had never done that before so I went to help and offer guidance. In order to refill one pound you have to let water down through a few locks otherwise you just drain one pound to fill another. The empty pound had the normal complement of bikes, rocks and the obligitory traffic cone in it, but no shopping trolley! By the time we had the water supply sorted Ray had come to join us and he walked up to the next lock where I had been struggling to get one gates fully open. There he met two BW guys who had just arrived and ticked him off for setting too many locks and wasting water! Poor Ray he was the only one who hadn't been letting the water down.
We got Moonspinners up through the first lock, managed to squeeze her into the second with a bit of help from Meesrs BW and they were on their way. I pointed out to the BW guys that their arrival had saved me a phone call to report the state of the empty pound, that it had been necessary to rewater the pound and the only way to do that was to let water down from the larger pound, very politely of course! They didn't have a lot of answer to that. No photos of all this as I foolishly let my camera battery run flat.
For a while the day actually got better, we made our way up through eight locks with only very minor problems. We were hoping to stop after the ninth. In the eighth lock of the day our water filter got blocked and rather than risk overheating Ray spent the time to clear it before we moved on. While he was doing that the sky ahead of us darkened, I saw a lightning strike, heard a rumble of thunder. I said "we might just get moored before the heavens open". I was wrong. As I got to the next lock the rain came down, not in drops but in torrents, I didn't even have a coat on. I was soon sporting the "Drowned Rat 2012" look again. Even sheltering under the trees only provided limited protection. At last we got up through the lock, here there were moorings marked, Moonspinners was already moored. There were only mooring rings for one boat, the canal is edged with stone blocks, no grass verge. I could see grass further along, we tried to hammer mooring pins in, they penetrated about three inches, no choice but to carry on.
Ray and I did a role reversal, I took the tiller while he worked the locks, at least the rain stopped, there were moorings marked above lock twentytwo, only another five. We reached there, the moorings were fully occupied, next moorings above lock twentyfour.Two more locks, the last of which has a guillotine gate which lifts straight up, over a hundred and thirty turns of the windlass to raise it and of course it rained again. At last a place to moor, this is where I had intended to reach today so we have a day off. I love Slaithwaite (pronounced Slawit), it is my sanctuary, my salvation. Tomorrow up to lock thirtyone, leaving us eleven to do on Tuesday.
Except that I have just had an 'alert' from BW, a service I use to inform me of closures etc, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is closed at lock thirtyseven until further notice due to damage to the lock cill. In my experience this could be a day or a week. At least here we have access to shops and services, so we won't move until the canal is clear and may have to rebook our passage through the tunnel.
Yesterday's journey 2.8 miles and 16 locks
So far this year we have travelled 452.1 miles, 316 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 1653.8 miles 1402 locks, 99 swing bridges, 40 lift bridges and 53 tunnels
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