Heading Back

Well we did make if safely to Dewsbury on Wednesday.  Looking at the locks here there seems to be plenty of water, but this navigation is part river.  We spent just one night here.  Nice pub in the basin called The Leggers.  Good ale, good food and excellent internet.  What more do you need!

At the end of the Dewsbury Arm

Moving on on Thursday we arrived at Shepley Bridge.  A fairly quiet place away from the road, although you can hear the occasional train.  On Friday our niece Cheryl came to see us.  Not seen her for about a year I think so that was lovely.  She lives in Stockport so about and hour away by car.  She brought her friend Bev too.  We went for a short cruise and whilst Paul was in the stern getting every thing ready a passing boater told him we were having a party inside!  There was lots of laughter, not due at all to alcohol as Cheryl had to drive back.

Good to know which waterway we are on

With Cheryl and her friend Bev

Our short cruise with them had brought us to Mirfield, not too far from the station, so on Saturday we got the train into Leeds.  Had a look round the town and the canal before heading back.  At the moment parts of the Leeds and Liverpool canal are shut due to water shortage.

A view of Leeds Station and the Canal

On Monday we moved on again to where the Calder and Hebble (C&H) joins the Huddersfield.  This is as far as we are going.  About 3 years ago we cruised the Huddersfield turning west at the end of it.  So now we have completed the C&H.

Yesterday we started back and are again at Shepley Bridge.  Will be moving on to Dewsbury tomorrow.  Falcon is going to be staying in the marina there while we go to Poland to see Richard.
We are hopeful that by the time we return water levels will be improved and we can continue on to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Aire and Calder

Moving on towards Ferrybridge, this was a good place to replenish the food cupboards.  They seem to empty so quickly! Good to have this sign at the lock,so we know where we are going!  

Hmm which way shall we go?

We moored at Castleford.  A bit out of town, so very pleasant, quite a few boats all with friendly crew! We went for a walk around Fairburn Ing.  Ing is a viking name for a water meadow in a flood plain.  There are lots of Ings in this area due to the now disused coal mines.  Castleford was useful as there was a launderette, so fully stocked and all clean we moved on, on Saturday after a lovely 3 nights.  

As this is part river navigation the lock are huge and moving on we shared a lock with 2 other narrow boats.  These were electric though so not difficult.  We ended up sharing 2 other locks with these boats with a lady off the other boat and I taking it in turns to press the buttons!

Old coal shute.

This brought us to Stanley Ferry where there is an aqueduct dating from 1839. A new one was built in 1981 but the old one is still in use.  On going for a walk around on Sunday morning we found there was to be a photo workshop in the afternoon so we decided to spend an extra night and go along.  We like to join in local activities when the opportunity arises.  Monday saw us moving on towards Wakefield.  The second lock we came to was called Fall Ing Lock.  Fortunately neither of us did.  At Wakefield we moored opposite the Ruddy Duck. Despite being in the middle of town the mooring was reasonably quiet (if you could ignore the traffic noise!).  Also the towpath was fairly low so Paul was able to paint the black on one side of the hull.  A job he usually does once a year.  Briefly thought about turning to do the other side, but that will wait till another time!

At Mary's Church on Chantry Bridge, Wakefield.

Left Wakefield yesterday morning and moored last night by Broad Cut Low Lock.  Moved on this morning and plan to arrive at Dewsbury later today.