Leeds and Liverpool Canal Lockies can be very helpful!

Friday, 07 August 2009 10:13

Fun and games through Gargrave Locks

We left Bank Newton and headed to the next lot of locks

Priest Holme Bridge (168) is a changeline bridge. This means the towpath changes sides across the bridge and the horses pulling barges were able to walk up the slope and down the other side without being unhitched. It is particularly attractive but sadly there has been damage to the parapet so "DEFRA rash" is evident!

Priest Holme Bridge

The canal crosses the River Aire on a stone aqueduct

We arrived at the first of the Gargrave locks. They are spread over about one and a half miles but nearly all are within walking distance of each other. Three locks took us down to Gargrave, the first being Stegneck (35).

The Lock Keeper arrived and kept an eye on us

By the time we arrived at the next lock (Scarland 34) we realised why the Lock Keeper was so much in evidence. Someone had left a paddle open in the early morning and the pound was extremely low. This was a little ironic as the restrictions on passage due to water shortage had been lifted the day before!

John had walked on and I had to hover around for absolutely ages as a there was a queue and an hire boat was well and truly aground. It took the combined efforts of the crew, John and the Lockie to get them off. Finally I was able to get to the lock landing (carefully avoiding the shallow edges) to wait our turn. The Lockie was in control and we had to wait again until a boat arrived to come up!

Once in Scarland Lock we were surprised to see this

No, not a photo taken with the help of a mirror! Perhaps the painter was unable to paint upside down or he came from the Antipodes! Anchor Lock (33) is so named because it has the Anchor pub by it and the main road into Gargrave. It was the least attractive of the locks!

There were lots of moored boats at Gargrave but we were able to find a space above the lock. After lunch we went exploring and into Gargrave. This village is right in the Yorkshire Dales and is much visited place by walkers and boaters. It is on the Pennine Way - a walk for the dedicated hiker!

We enjoyed Gargrave and made use of the Co-Op and Café (for a lovely ice cream!). As usual for many places we visit, Gargrave deserves a blog of its own, so I shall do one soon!

We waited for ages at Gargrave lock, named Higherland Lock (32); again, the Lockie was very much in control, saving water by making boats wait until boats arrived to come up. It was a very slow process, but at least we were paired up with another narrowboat who had a large crew!!

Higherland Lock

Easton Road Lock (31) is the penultimate lock and there was a boat moored, still listing a bit. It is a long pound to the next lock, but as we passed under Ray Bridge (172) we were at the most northerly point of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Ray Bridge

Shallow pound after Ray Bridge

About half a mile later we came to Holme Bridge Lock (30)

The views around us were lovely, pastoral and hilly

We were now into "swing bridge country" and Highgate Swing Bridge (173) was a bit of a challenge as John worked it out! I waited as he let the other boat through and then we followed them to the next swing bridge.

The canal took a large bend towards Thorlby Swing Bridge (174)

The other boat crew had it open ready for us

There were some lovely moorings just past the bridge but we carried on around Hoober Hill and the cows to moor after Stirton aqueduct. It was a little noisy with the road and railway but quietened down a bit during the night.

Hoober Hill moorings (to be recommended!)

Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Priest Holme to Gawber Hill - 4 hours 37 minutes, 4.35 miles, 6 locks