Thanks Graham for the post-relay service. Another slowish 6 hours today saw us arrive in central Skipton where, after a slight delay while another boat departed its prime spot, we moored not far from the house. Have now abluted and, with access to the home PC, can now confirm that we did the trip from Norton Canes Boat-builders at the Northern end of the Cannock extension to Skipton in 11 (whole or part) days. Not the sort of relaxed boating that I prefer but circumstances (like not missing my Grand-daughter's christening) meant that we had no choice but to fit the trip in before the stoppage season starts.
Talking of stoppages, our Nichs mentions that the Barton Swing Aqueduct is *normally* closed for the last two weeks of September every year for maintenance. Does anyone know if this is correct? Must mention the lockies on the Bank Newton flight and the Gargrave flight. They were superb, helping us all the way down both flights and really friendly. They obviously enjoy their job and get involved with the local boaters because, when we saw an ambulance attending a moored boat and later learnt that the wife on that boat had passed away unexpectedly during the night, the lockie (who knew the couple reasonably well as they went to and fro) was visibly moved when told the news. They have also volunteered to move the boat in question to a better location on behalf of the owner (who's naturally distraught at the moment and in no mood to do the boat shuffle solo). Now that's what I call real BW on-the-ground service and they are to be applauded.............pity customer service of that ilk isn't so readily available elsewhere in BW's organisation methinks. Roger
