I know the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is short of water, but ...

Thursday, 30 July 2009 09:47

Does it have to rain every day, why can't it get it over at night!

We deliberately did not hurry to move this morning – we heard two or three boats go by before 8am and knew they would be adding to the queue at Barrowford bottom lock.
It began to rain just after we had pulled the pins! As we arrived at the bottom lock, the gates were closing on a boat going up. Fortunately he saw us and John jumped off to open the other gate.

The other boat was being single handed and I think he was quite glad to have us sharing the work. He was a bit wary as the boats ahead were novice hirers and also he had a fibre glass boat. For some reason, he could see we were experienced boaters and he said “you know what you are doing!”. For some reason, this made me rather nervous – we all make mistakes sometimes.

We went up the flight very slowly as the hirers appeared to be in no hurry. There were 6 crew but they were learning and we had to wait in locks for them to exit the one above!
I did not have much time to take photos though and the rain made it awkward to keep snapping and control the boat without giving the camera a shower!

This one is of the steps at Lock 49 – blocked in the interests of Elfin Safety

This was beside lock 46 – was it for boaters, expect turbulence ahead?

I was really enjoying the rain – ha ha, but seeing Barrowford Reservoir I could see the problem of lack of water. Maybe though it is always low, I have no idea.

Barrowford Reservoir

Looking back from lock 48 – three more to go!

There has been some discussion about how “cill” is spelt. Here it is just “sill-y” as there are both spellings! It is the first time we have seen evidence of the alternative spelling. Perhaps BW just wanted to prove a point! Perhaps hedging their bets!

Cill or Sill?

At the top lock moorings is this notice – is it me or is it confusing!

Three more sunken boats at the moorings, not good

We carried on towards Foulridge and the Tunnel, through the heavy rain and cool conditions. I retreated to the bows and watched the canal go by in the dry of the cratch cover. I still had my camera at the ready though.

Now I know where Dr Who has gone – on his holiday on a narrowboat

This seems like a good place to take a break as we were approaching the best section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. More to come soon!

To be continued …..