Tuesday. The rain was pounding on the roof as I woke up. It had eased off and become showery by 10.25 when we moved off. By the time we had left the first lock, the showers became heavier and stayed that way until we tied up at Batteyford. We walked to DSM ropes during an interval, but then the Scotch mist set in. We stayed inside for the afternoon, waiting for the clouds to break. They never did, so the daily constitutional would have to wait for another day. The batteries have been returning lower voltages each morning, so today I have ordered four new ones from Ledgard Bridge boats; they should arrive on Thursday.
Weather, drizzle with rain showers, moderate wind.
The 2008 journey thus far: 172 Locks & 284 Miles & 19 Swing\Lift Bridges
Journeys using bus pass: 8
Wednesday. Rain had woken me for the second day running. After breakfast, it had reduced to a misty drizzle and then it stopped completely. We caught the bus for Halifax and had an interesting 50 minute journey through various hill top villages with cobbled side streets, and into deep valleys. The views must have been stunning, unfortunately, the mist had reduced visibility to about a half mile. Halifax had some really interesting buildings, and a good covered market hall. We had decided to sample the local fayre, so we tucked in when the bowls of pie, mushy peas and mint sauce (one with black pudding) with mint sauce. They were enjoyable and washed down with tea kept us going until supper. There were charity shops to be relieved of books (we did) and the Yorkshire book exchange where we bough yet more ballast. Returning to the boat in the afternoon, it began to rain. The water level had risen by about four inches and when the rain stopped, we went to look at the stream indicator at Battyeford lock. It was at the top of the orange. We moved off because I wanted to get the batteries tomorrow and not to be stuck where we were. I got it wrong entering the lock and broke one of the cratchboard glass panels on the footboard of the upper gates. More work required. Tied up just inside Ledgard flood gates and guess what – on the stream indicator outside the lock, same piece of river, the level was only just on the bottom of the green. It is reassuring to know that you can rely on the efficiency of BW to help you make the safe decisions when entering river sections.
Weather, drizzle with rain showers.
The 2008 journey thus far: 172 Locks & 285 Miles & 19 Swing\Lift Bridges
Journeys using bus pass: 9
