Thur Jun 19th - 16 miles, 3 furlongs, 31 locks - Brookfoot to Todmorden Total cruising time 15 hours 25 minutes.
Early start at 6.35am, as Salterhebble Bottom lock is being operated by a BW man at the moment. Something in the mechanics of the guillotine gate have failed and it is being raised and lowered with an electric chain hoist. The operating hours are 9.00 - 10.00, 12-00 - 14.00 & 16.00 - 18.00. I wanted to get there for the 9 till 10 slot. I got there at 9.20am, and before I could enter the lock another NB had caught me up. We shared this and the other two Salterhebble locks and they turned left for Sowerby Bridge while I turned right to do the Salterhebble Arm at 10.20am. In, wind and out again taking 13 minutes I then set about following the other boat to Sowerby Bridge. They were in the second lock when I got to the bottom, and the Tuel Lane lock keeper said he'd lock them up first, as the pound below Tuel Lane could do with the extra lockful of water. Through Tuel Lane by 12.20pm and I passed them moored up for lunch (I suspect) some time before the next lock. I phoned BW Wigan to book my passage across the summit for Friday afternoon, only to be told that they weren't taking any bookings before Monday as they had water supply problems. I decided there was no point busting a gut putting in a long day, so moored in Hebden Bridge at 3.30pm. At 4.30pm I got a call from BW Wigan saying there was one passage available on Friday at 8.30am and that I needed to be between locks 35 & 36 by then. It was either 8.30 on Friday or Monday morning - take your pick. I said I'd go for Friday, as I really didn't want to be hanging around for the whole weekend, and so set off again for Todmorden. Some locks were in my favour, but most needed emptying and a depressing number only had one paddle in use at one end or the other. Through Lobb Mill lock by 7.50pm and Todmorden lock with its guillotine bottom gate by 9.10pm. Took the opportunity to grab a bag of chips from the chippy next door while in that lock. Moored for the night just above Gauxholme Top lock at 11.00pm as I was beginning to feel really tired. An early start is required on Friday in order to get to lock 35 in time. Terry Streeter NB Arun - Todmorden
