On to Waters New

Large locks up this way.  Our second visit in 2 days to Woodnock Lock.

We ended up spending 3 nights in Wakefield.  In that time Paul managed to paint the side of the hull.  He had painted one side when we were in Wakefield going the other way.
We haven't lit our fire yet, so its quite chilly in the mornings.  This got us up and on the move early on Sunday morning.  On to the first lock of the day, Fall Ing lock.  Fortunately neither of us did!  Second and last lock of the day was Broadreach Flood lock.  This had been open when we went the other way in July, but this time it was shut.

Grounded just below Lemonroyd Lock

It is electrically operated so not too onerous.  The water seemed to be about the same level on both sides so the water was back to usual levels.  This brought us to Stanley Ferry, where we had planned to moor for lunch  Moving on through the swing bridge after lunch we stopped to get water.  This took about an hour, so in the end we spent the night there.
Monday we moved on a couple more locks towards Castleford.  We were only going as far as the junction at Castleford where we were taking a left and heading north towards Leeds.

Last nights view from above Lemonroyd Lock

But Monday Canal and River Trust were carrying out work at Castleford and would be lowering the River Aire. So after entering Woodnook Lock we looked at the jetty at the far end, where I would have to get on, and it was about level with the roof of our boat.
So we decided to reverse out the lock and spend the night where we were.
Only to find the next day that CRT had extended the work for another day!  But we moved on anyway and I successfully, if not gracefully, managed to get on the boat at the bottom of the lock.  Now on the River Aire we took the left at Castleford, moored for lunch and then set off for Lemonroyd Lock.  All was well until we approached the lock and a wide beam dutch barged was grounded across the river and lock entrance.  We tried to go around only to go aground ourselves!  The other boat had already been there a couple of hours and was in touch with the lock keeper.  It was about another hour before finally there was enough water for us to move on.  After coming up through the lock we moored and walk back to see how the other boat was doing.  It was about another hour before he was able to come through.  Thankfully today has been very uneventful.  We have cruised about a mile, no looks, to Woodlesford.  Paul's brother, Dave, is joining us here for a few nights.

Back on the cut

In Wroclaw with Richard

Well after a month in Poland we arrived back on Sunday.  Richard now has a new left hip, his stitches are all out and he should be back at work tomorrow.  The time there with  him passed very quickly.  We were very lucky with the weather.  Mostly hot and sunny, only 2 days where there was any rain.

We arrived back on board at Dewsbury where all was well.  Having stocked the cupboards we planned to move on, on Tuesday, but it was so windy we decided to stay another day.  Only for storm Ali to arrive on Wednesday!!

Winding in the wind!

It did give us chance to catch up with some new friends we had made there in the marina.  Ralf and Julia on NB Omega.  When it came time to leave Ralf was on board with Paul helping to pole around.  We wanted a pump out so Paul had to reverse out, turn and reverse back on to be on the correct side!  All in a fairly small space with the wind blowing!

Broad Cut Bottom Lock. It did empty eventually!

I was on the jetty ready to catch the rope.  It all went remarkably well and after lunch in The Leggers we finally left Dewsbury on Wednesday afternoon.  Back out on to the Calder and Hebble.  We worked through 4 locks and moored just after Broad Cut Top Lock.
A short cruise this morning brought us to the bottom lock which as you can see left leaks a lot.  Paul was getting quite wet on the stern!
Just one more lock and we are now in Wakefield.  We were planning to stay here the night, which is just as well as just after lunch the heavens opened.
Still we are not complaining about the rain, as parts of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal are still closed due to the lack of rain over the summer.  However we are carrying on with our plan to cruise it, so may be spending the winter up north!
Will keep you posted as we go.