WEDNESDAY. It was a beautiful morning for boating; a cloudless blue sky, mist swirling low over the canal and a crisp, clean feel to the air. Myra walked off to set the lock which Martlet entered at 6.35am. We love travelling at this peaceful, quiet,time of day. As I left Mill Bank lock, I glanced back and noticed a pagan fertility symbol in a niche at the low end of the lock (Picture). In future, I will keep a lookout for more historical items to include in the blog. Myra bought some eggs at Figure of three lock cottage whilst waiting for the top lock to fill. I walked down and prepared the bottom lock. Approaching Horbury, gliding along nicely with mind in neutral, I saw a jogger leaving the towpath near the bridge having put up a pheasant which flew quite close as it headed for the far bank and safety. The weather was getting warm, but the clouds were building as we approached Broad cut locks and the M1. We saw a cuckoo fly across the canal just before the locks. Onwards through Wakefield, stopping at Stanley Ferry to fill the water tank and to use the excellent sanitary station showers. The narrowboat that we had passed moored at Horbury came in for water as we were leaving. We did not see them again and had seen only one other boat moving all day. As we crossed the aqueduct, I noticed that the bubbles caused by the hull were a green colour and that the canal surface was covered in a thin green algae like coating. I telephoned Leeds BW office and told them; it made me feel better, I am not convinced that anything will be done about it. I had reported to them on May 15th that the drop stay from Thornhill flood lock was broken and the gate was swinging closed when you approached. We saw that nothing had been done as we passed today. We moored up offside above Kings road lock, a lovely quiet spot, fields one side, flood banks and the river Calder on the other.
The 2008 journey thus far: 196 Locks & 312 Miles & 19 Swing\Lift Bridges
Journeys using bus pass: 9
