First taste of the Rochdale Canal

Wednesday, 23 September 2009 22:58

Eventually the sun shone!

We left Sowerby Bridge in light rain, after filling up with diesel at Shire Cruisers. Once we were in Tuel lock the rain stopped but there were clouds ahead over the hills. At certain points along the towpath there were piles of mud. We spotted the first one at Sowerby Long Bridge (2).

Sowerby Long Bridge

We were not aiming to get to (the) Summit today!

What looked like a totem pole turned out to be a wooden carving of Branwell Bronte, though I am not sure of the significance of the fish and a shame about the graffiti.

Branwell Bronte

Another pile of mud

Ah yes - the piles of mud are actually clay - for "puddling". Puddling clay is to stop leaks: an interim measure before the canal is closed in November for serious work. Rob, the Lock Keeper had said that when he left work last night the canal was down about 6 or 7 inches. This morning when he started work it was down about 9 inches - therefore there are leaks! John and I speculated on how BW ever finds these small leaks - are there bubbles or whirlpools on the surface or does some sort of surveying machine show them?

This is a large section of "puddling"

As the weather had cleared we enjoyed some of the views along the way - hills, farms and industry

Cooper House Bridge (5)

The pound between Tuel Lock and Edward Kilnner Lock was a bit shallow, but nothing "to write home about", and we had no real problems.

Edward Kilner Lock (5) was soon upon us: Rochdale lock sign

This is one of the "restoration" bridges. It reminded us of the bridges on the Savick Brook section of the Ribble Link, with its corrugated lining.

Brearley Upper Bridge(9)

The far side of Broadbottom Bridge (13)

Now what was that "well" for? Was it for cattle to drink from or a way of protecting the bridge? I pondered this whilst I waited for John to open Broadbottom Lock (7). Another puzzle greeted us at the lock - a wooden ape. What has that to do with Yorkshire and the Rochdale Canal? It looks like they're lost!

Ape statue

I thought we were done with tunnels but it turned out that Falling Royd Bridge (14) was actually a tunnel, but a short one!

Falling Royd Bridge

One more lock - Mayroyd Lock (8) and we were nearing Hebden Bridge. Suddenly there were moored boats everywhere! Also, the sun came out to welcome us.

The outskirts of Hebden Bridge

We found a mooring just by the park on the left, just beyond the bend in the photo below. We are not on the visitor moorings so can stay for more than 24 hours if we want to.

Hebden Bridge by park

Rochdale Canal, Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge - 4 hours 36 minutes, 7 locks, 5.34 miles