Crew: Sue & Terry Waldron
We left our mooring at Baltimore Marina, Todmorden on the Rochdale Canal
heading on Thurs 13 April.
On the run to Hebden Bridge we found the first 4 locks all had leaking gates
and 2 of them had really stiff bottom gate paddles (they did ease up as the
water pressure dropped), these were all like this when we went through in
April and November last year. As we approached Hebden Bridge a couple of the
lock bottom gate paddles appear to have been renewed over this winter.
The moorings on the town side (planked) appear to be now taken up with
Bronte Boats (Hire Boats and Trip Boats) but we did manage to find enough
room for us to get in - in view of BW working on the opposite side and had
barriers across the towpath had we have had to moor that side we could not
have got to the bridge over the canal to go into the town. Very quiet night.
On again and locked all the way through to Sowerby Bridge with Devon (Shire
Cruisers), a very competent crew on this hire boat.
Wanted diesel but Shire Cruisers pump was being worked on so we had to wait
until the next day and they put diesel in from drums.
On again and down through Salterhebble Locks, had to lift my rear button to
get round the gate on the middle lock. (With these locks being c57 ft we
also need to pull acros with the middle rope to clear the gates). We had
intended to moor at one of our favourite pubs, The Barge and Barrel in
Elland but decided as it was early and weather good to crack on a bit and
finally moored at Brighouse. Moorings were full as was the basin, South
Pennine Boat Club were on their annual cruise (27 boats). Good job we did
not want to go on any further as we were stopped by BW and advised Police
Divers were in the river and the navigation was closed. (We understand there
was a body in the water).
After shopping at Sainsbury's (right behind the mooring) we set off, the
SPBC boats were going in all directions, some going to Elland for the day,
others trying to go down the locks and back to their mooring at Batteyford,
and others trying to get on to the sani point mooring. As none of their
crews had gone to the lock, and Sue had we managed to get through the chaos
quite well. River level not much above Summer level despite all the rain we
have had recently. Had a good run through and stopped for a short while in
Mirfield to see if Lidl was open, no such luck, so we went on and finally
moored at Shepley Bridge, usually a nice quiet mooring, but today lots of
people out for a walk along the canal.
We set off from the mooring and stopped at the sani station at the boatyard
at Shepley Bridge, only just enough room to get in between the poly tunnel
and one of their hire boats. On again, not a very wide gap between the boats
moored on both sides, lock mooring not easy to get onto, and then off of it
and into the lock due to moored boats. Lots of boats about today, in both
directions, but usually only waiting for one boat at locks. One boat moored
on the lock mooring below Mill Bank Lock as he had run out of diesel (a
friend of his came along just after we got out of the lock with a drum of
white diesel as he could not get any red). Finally moored outside The
Navigation at Broad Cut.
Had an early start (anything earlier than 1000 start is early) and soon at
Broad Cut Low Lock, river looked to be running faster than we had seen
further up but it was still in the Orange. Weather not so good today, colder
and intermittent rain - back cabin stove keeping my legs warm though.
Thornes Lock, paddles at both top and bottom gates very stiff. River level
here only just under the Red. On through Wakefield - sani station mooring
only signposted from one side of the bridge, also a long term moorer (no BW
number or name showing but did have valid licence) on the wall in such a
position that I would not have had room to get in on the wall, would only be
able to get nose in and have stern about half way along the moored boat.
I did Fall Ings Lock as Sue does not like this one. Stopped briefly at
Stanley Ferry, diesel here 50p per litre. Very windy (as usual) when we got
to the top of Kings Road Lock. BW have put up a sign on the visitor mooring
to the effect that it is 48 hour only. I put the VHF on to listen out to see
if there were likely to be any commercial boats around Castleford. One
gravel barge unloading at Whitwood wharf and one talking to lockie at
Ferrybridge but he was going towards Goole so we would not be meeting any of
the gravel or oil barges today. Spotted a pair of tufted ducks about 1/2 way
between Castleford and Lemonroyd.Finally moored above Lemonroyd lock. Pretty
noisy here due to the proximity of the railway. This is another of the
moorings that are now run by BW Marinas.
A rainy morning, had a late start after rain stopped. There was a marquee up
at Thwaite Mills, looks like they must have had some event on over the bank
holiday. Sue had problems with Knostrop Fall Lock - had to wiggle the key to
get the lock to start operating, some of the panel indications not working
so reported this to BW Castleford. When we got to River Lock (Leeds) there
was a lockie doing some maintence (oiling the paddle gear) so we had to
wait to enter the lock, he however did help us through and asked us what
time we wanted to go up through Office Lock tomorrow.
Had a walk into Leeds for a bit of shopping. When we got back there was a
cruiser trying to get through Office Lock - they could not figure out what
key you needed forthis lock until Sue told the it was shut until the
morning, they were unaware that there were specific opening and closing
times for this lock, they turned round and went back down River Lock.
This week we have done 58 locks and 49 miles and averaged 4 hours running
per day (longest day 6.5 hours, shortest about 2.75 hours).
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
- Visit your group "canals-list" on the web.
- To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
