Finally sussed the Calder locks!

Sunday, 20 September 2009 19:49

Seven locks today on the Calder and Hebble Navigation - all different

How about this for a view: from Elland lock

Epiphany only just fits in

Sadly contrasting buildings at Elland Lock

I had to place her diagonally in a lock or with the bow in the apex of the top gates to allow John to shut the bottom gates. Once in, the top paddles vary - they can be hydraulically operated or "handspike" operated. John took the spike with him each time, just in case!

Elland basin was full of boats with nowhere to moor, so we carried on. The restored covered warehouse here is a reminder of that sad lock building at the lock before. Why can't these buildings be restored too?

Restored covered warehouse

Back to the locks. If the gate paddles are opened too quickly the boat would swing wildly, bashing both sides of the lock. The secret, as John eventually worked out, was to open the one on the opposite side to the boat a very small amount and allow the boat to settle, then a little more and wait a bit more. Then he could do the same on the boat side, returning to raise them both gradually. When there were ground paddles he opened the boat side ones first - again a bit at a time (as you have to, with the spike).

Epiphany eventually settled where she wanted! If I could get off with the mid rope I did, keeping her to the towpath side. If not I could always throw the rope to John! This plan was sometimes thwarted when the gate did not open fully and the other one had to be opened too!

Woodside Mills Lock was one of these!

It reminded us of a Staffs and Worcs canal lock (in looks, not behaviour) - despite its width! At the next lock (Long Lees) British Waterways had been "fly tipping". Two old lock gates, one still with its "BW aware - do not use" label attached, lay on the bank side. Maybe they were hoping they would gradually slide into the river below and be lost for ever!

A good example, or what?

There was excitement ahead - the three Salterhebble locks, complete with a guillotine bottom gate on the bottom lock. The lock was invisible under the bridge so I tied up at the landing and John went to investigate.

See the top of the guillotine gate?

Just in front of me was a fast flowing water inlet so I had to take a wide berth to get under the bridge and into the lock. The gate opened and closed very slowly (operated with a watermate key) and looked very tall!

On the right is the paddle to let the water out when emptying the lock

Epiphany in the bottom lock

The pound above has moorings in. To enter the middle lock involves a right turn into the basin and around the bend into the lock. John had set it, so it was waiting for me!

The middle lock had leaky top gates and paddles

Once the lock filled I could see why Nicholson said it was a pretty three locks. Everything was well kept and maintained, the services on the right above the top lock.

A pretty pound

This lock required a sharp right and left turn once out of the middle one - it took a bit of throttle in forward and reverse to get into the right line to enter, avoiding the fast water inlet!

Now this is what I call a lock cottage!

Looking back down

It was decision time - should we turn left or right?

To be continued!