Leaving Kildwick this morning.
It wasn’t to last though, by the time we got to Silsden it had started again, and we had pretty well continuous rain or drizzle until we arrived at Riddlesden. We had several swing bridges to negotiate today, mostly carrying farm tracks or footpaths, but a couple taking roads across the canal.
The derelict Lanehouse Swing Bridge is one we didn’t have to deal with…
The wet weather overtakes us near Cowling Swing Bridge.
There’s a familiar boat moored here.
We looked at Alice when we were buying a boat. An original David Piper boat built at Red Bull she’s beautifully fitted out in mahogany and leather. Or at least she was in 2006… Very reminiscent of a 1950’s Pullman railway carriage. It looks as though she’s not seen a paintbrush in the last 12 years though.
The soot-stained gritstone buildings of Silsden look a bit grim in the rain.
We had a glimpse of a kingfisher near Silsden, a flash of electric blue in the gloom but far too distant for a photo. A pair of gooseander hung around long enough for a quick pic though.
We’ve seen several of these recently, but they usually fly off or dive as we approach.
The rain started to ease again as we passed the last couple of bridges into Riddlesden (typically…)…
…and cleared completely after we’d tied up.
We did discuss moving on a bit further, but I was wet and ready for a mug of soup so we called it a day. We’re not due at Bingley Locks till 1 o’clock tomorrow, only just over an hour away, so there was no need really.
Boaters in Cheshire have an early Christmas present. The breach at Middlewich has been repaired and the Middlewich Branch will reopen tomorrow.
Locks 0, miles 5½
1 comment:
Hi there! Soggy towpaths are the one thing we don't miss here on the Thames! Wishing you both a very lovely Christmas and a good road in 2019 ... see you both then! xx
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