We now have to wait for BW on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Monday, 14 June 2010 08:47

We cannot proceed any more as BW has to unlock Diggle Locks

We left Uppermill just after the trip boat, Pennine Moonraker, had returned down the two locks that climb to Wool Road Bridge and the Dobcross Visitor Centre at Wool Road.

Pennine Moonraker trip boat at Museum mooring

That was crafty of us, as the locks were then set! In fact, the trip boat had left all the bottom gates open (and the paddles up) so we were able to go straight into the locks. I am afraid that we left them full - but they had a crew! The section between Uppermill and Wool Road Transhipment Shed (Dobcross) was restored in 1981 - the first section to be restored.

Dungebooth Lock 22W, one of the first locks to be restored

The Pots and Pans Monument was visible again across Uppermill from above the lock

The skew arched Saddleworth/Uppermill stone railway viaduct is soon in view. Underneath it is the other of the first two locks to be restored, Lime Kiln Lock 23W.

The viaduct , bridge and lock ahead

Lime Kiln Lock has very different top paddle gear - as have the rest of the Diggle Locks. They are on the off-side, presumably for safety reasons? The gear slopes backwards and BW warn that the pawl has to be engaged with the rack before removing the windlass.

BW warning notice

Epiphany in Lime Kiln Lock, paddle gear and bywash

At Brownhill Bridge (73) is Brownhills Countrywide Centre with a shop to interest the many walkers along this section. This was especially so today, as the Saddleworth Show was on just five minutes up the road from Uppermill.

Brownhills Centre

After the bridge, there is a narrow section, one narrowboat wide,  that leads to Wool Road, or Dobcross, winding hole. Beyond the winding hole is the Transhipment Shed and visitor moorings. The shed was used to transfer goods, from horse to boat whilst Standedge Tunnel was constructed.

Winding hole with moorings beyond

We used the sani-station beside the Transhipment Shed and then moved to the towpath side to moor. As we finished mooring up the heavens opened and the rain set in for the evening.

We really hope it will clear overnight as at 8am BW unlock the bottom lock of the Diggle Flight of 9 locks for narrowboats to ascend for Standedge Tunnel.

So our next adventure begins .... we shall be meeting up with our friends Geoff and Gill, (narrowboat Petroc) who are coming over from Barnby Dun on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation. Geoff is coming through the tunnel with us - Gill will be going over the top!

So how will it be - find out soon ........

Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Uppermill to Dobcross

1 hour 10 minutes, 0.63 miles, 2 locks