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A new section of canal awaited us today
First, we left Stanley Ferry behind, crossing on the new aqueduct (we had crossed the old one when we went up the Aire and Calder last year) and on towards our first mechanised lock. It was hot and sunny, but there was a cooling breeze on the move.
 From the new to the old
Birkwood Lock is very large - it has to be, to take the large grain barges that ply this section. John took instructions from the Lock Keeper, but he was not on lock opening duty as the locks are now electrically operated with a BW key and are a "breeze"! Despite their size, the locks do not take long to fill and we were soon through.
The amber traffic light at the top and bottom of the locks means - self operate! Red means stop on lock landing, green means proceed into lock, red and green means the lock is ready for use and will be operated by the Lock Keeper. Flashing red means do not proceed - flood conditions.
 Leaving Birkwood Lock behind
Kings Road Lock is next and here there are permanent moorings below and a water point on the towpath side. I decided I was going to be "lock keeper" from now on, so John had the pleasure of taking Epiphany through! He had to battle a bit with the wind as he waited for the very small cruiser to come up the lock.
The BW key cannot be taken out of the control panel until the gates are closed and the sluices are closed (in that order). So the lady crew of the cruiser had to let us in before she could finish the lock, retrieve her key and rejoin her husband. They had already done this for another three narrowboats on their way up!
Woodnook Lock replaces two locks - Altofts Lock and Fairies Lock. It is very, very large and deep as you can see!
 In Woodnook Lock
Below Woodnook Lock, the old Fairies Lock houses permanent moorings. The remains of Altofts Lock entrance is above the lock with some very short disused mooring pontoons.
Whitwood Wharf at Fairies Hill is where the sand barges load up. There was one loading as we passed and soon we passed on on the move too.
Whitwood Wharf
 
It is a good idea to brush up on your knowledge of horn signals when these large barges are around. We had some "crib notes" in a NABO leaflet to hand so John knew exactly what a short blast from the Heather Rose H meant (altering course to starboard). He replied with a short blast and both boats passed port to port. A guidance summary of horn signals can be found on the NABO website - clickety click
 Heather Rose H passing to our port
Castleford Junction was next - here we were going straight on, to continue our journey on the River Aire. To our left, the River Aire went left to Leeds and to our right towards Castleford and a large weir - so not for boaters!
 Approaching Castleford Flood Lock
This extremely large flood lock leads to moorings and other interesting stuff!
In the lock and looking back at the entrance, with the BW Office on the right
 
To be continued .....
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