We had four swing bridges to pass through, three of them mechanised and carrying roads, the last just a light footbridge used to access the Airedale Boat Club moorings.
Low cloud hangs on the hills as we approach Morton Swing Bridge
Moorings at Hainsworth’s Boatyard at Bingley.
A gloomy Aire valley at the top of the locks.
We’d arrived with plenty of time in hand before our scheduled passage down the locks, so had an early lunch.
Just after one o’clock there was a knock on the boat – “Ready when you are” said the chap from CRT. The rain had stopped by this time, but I suggested that Mags stay inside anyway as we dropped down.
Into the top lock at 13:12
Some pics as we headed down…
The 5-Rise Locks drop the canal nearly 60 feet, so each chamber is an impressive 12 feet deep.
A trad stern is better than a cruiser stern coming down here!
The classic shot from the bottom as we leave the 5-Rise heading for it’s little brother, the 3-Rise.
Top of the 3-Rise. Our CRT elf now has a companion…
That’s the Damart factory on the left.
The chambers on this staircase flight are slightly shallower at just under 10 foot each.
Water spout from the cill on the middle lock.
That’s the lot, top of the 5 to bottom of the 3 in an hour and twenty minutes.
Another 20 minutes and we were tied up a quarter mile above the next locks at Dowley Gap.
Now, the schoolboy mistake. I was busy taking pictures as we descended one of the five instead of watching what was happening. We drifted back towards the top gates – and you’ve guessed it – got hooked up on the cill! Not badly, but enough to lock the tiller as the rudder took the weight of the boat. I shouted to the lockie and he quickly closed the paddles so we didn’t drop any further, then slowly put some water back in to lift us clear again. Panic over and no damage done, but it shows how easily it can happen, especially in these short locks.
First time for us, and it had to happen with a CRT lockie in attendance. I bet he thought I was a right muppet…
On to moor above Dobson Locks tomorrow.
Locks 8, miles 4
4 comments:
Just caught up on December’s posts Geoff, glad to here of the progress for Mags and meg and long may it continue. Fantastic your on the move proper again. The weather and photos show it to be grim but your post seem full of the joys of boating. Lucky escape thanks for sharing that event.
In case no more posts before Christmas I’ll sign off by wishing you both a Very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, Health Wealth and Happiness to.
I hope 2019 treats you better than 2018.
Cheers
Ade
Scary Geoff, it could have been worse! Good job CRT were with you to act quickly as soon as you were aware what was happening. Best wishes to you both. xx
Hi Geoff,
I have to say that if it happened to you, getting caught on a cill then it can happen to all of us. Years ago we hired on the Leeds to Liverpool and as Rookies David got caught on something in The Three, I was deep in conversation with Amanda on the gates and David Lewis the same with the Lock Keeper, the boat flopped off the snag but David was spooked as no one was looking, since that time I always try to keep eye contact at locks.
So glad that your two Ladies are on the mend.
Lisa
NB WaL
Hi Ade thanks for the good wishes, the same to you of course. Yes, the weather could be better but it's so good to be on the move again!
I feel a bit of a fool for making such an elementary mistake. It'll not happen again. As Carol says, a good job that the CRT chap was in a position to quickly drop the paddles. We only lifted the counter by about 2", with just the tip of the rudder blade resting on the cill.
Thanks Lisa. No excuse, just lack of attention. The girls are doing well, although all this cruising has come as a bit of a shock! We've done more miles in the last 4 days than in the previous 6 weeks!
Best wishes to you all.
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