Another update…

We stayed out near Gargrave till Tuesday, a fine day after a wet weekend. Heading back to Skipton we had the five swing bridges to do, and had to do every one ourselves! That’s not happened for a while, often we’ve met or caught up with other boats at the bridges, but although there were boats about we kept missing them. Not to worry, they’re all easy apart from Gawflat, where a waiting runner helped me close it. 

Leaving Holme Bridge, Gargrave.


Mags coming through Highgate Swing Bridge, the first for the day.

Towards Niffany I spotted this odd conversation going on…
I wonder what a pair of sheep and a goose have to talk about? Maybe the goose is saying “I wish ewed shove off!” (groan).

Back into Skipton, and it’s very busy on the moorings near the junction.

It was also busy around the corner opposite the bus station, but we managed to get in just past Gallows Bridge. A little later a boat moved off, so we pulled back to take his spot, filling with water on the way.

I took Meg back to the vet in the afternoon, we wanted to get a benchmark set of results – weight, urine sample, temperature and bloods. The idea was to leave it for two or three weeks then do the same again to see if there are any changes.
Her temperature was fine, weight was down a bit more but that’s expected as she’s still not eating well. The pee sample still shows blood though, and Sam the vet recommended that the blood sample go off to a lab for a comprehensive check. The results came back today.
Her red blood cell count is way down, and her white cell count is way up. With another couple of indicators this implies that her bone marrow, which manufactures these cells, is not performing as it should.
I took her back in this afternoon for another blood sample for tests aimed specifically for identifying a particular condition. You’ve probably guessed that we now suspect she has a cancer in her bone marrow (Myeloma). These latest results should be back tomorrow, then we’ll have to see where we go from here.

On a more positive note, CRT have re-opened Bingley Locks and those following down to Shipley. The way to Leeds is still closed, though, from Newlay Locks on down. Whether or not we’ll soon be able to take advantage of the improvement in water supply remains to be seen.

Locks 0, miles 4¼