Sometimes I sits and thinks................

SATURDAY . Above figure of three locks you are in the countryside, so we decided to see where the footpath leaving the towpath, next to the river Calder led us. We passed by a lovely stone built railway bridge across what at this point is a lovely river; the course of which was altered in the late 50’s early 60’s to provide more space for the new railway yard at Healey Mills. We walked down a lane, sorry, Low Mill Road, towards Ossett brewery. The ‘Brewers Pride’ by the warehousing apparently is a well known CAMRA pub to which people flock from miles around. It must be for the beer as the area around it is in a run down state with derelict factory remains. We followed a footpath between high steel security fencing and eventually arrived at the edge of a field, we could see a large group of good proportioned buildings on the skyline which we were told was Ossett school. I took a few photos of Healey Mills yard and we retraced our steps to the river. Walking down to the water level, we found some good flat stones for skimming across the surface. As some sage remarked, growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional. We have chosen to ignore the second part and I made one stone skip six times! We helped two boats go down the two locks on their way to Woodlesford on the River Aire before Leeds. Arrived at Martlet and spent the rest of the day reading and relaxing and watching the youngsters riding along the towpath on their motorbikes. I have found that if they have problems starting the bikes, by going and helping them, they then ride off and make their noise elsewhere. Simple but effective!

Weather, overcast, then sunny and hot.

The 2008 journey thus far: 177 Locks & 291 Miles & 19 Swing\Lift Bridges

Journeys using bus pass: 9

SUNDAY . As it was raining when we had breakfast, we decided to relax all morning and move off after lunch to moor up at Shepley bridge for the night, this would put us about 30minutes from Ledgard boats for picking up the batteries WHEN they arrive. We arrived at the first lock to see a load of parked cars. Yes above the lock I could see a canal side collection of static grumblies (Anglers to you). Talk about miserable; it always amazes us how they look down as you approach; Myra decided to encourage them to make eye contact by calling out ’Good Afternoon’. Always good for a laugh as they tried to reply and still look miserable. They were professionals, and managed to accomplish the task very well. Three were amateur and smiled as they made the initial eye contact. They will be probably blackballed when the time comes for theend of match weigh-in. We went up Thornhill double locks and past the Perseverance moorings. By the old loading wharf on Friday, we were a bit concerned when we saw a swan’s nest containing four eggs; but no sign of any swans. Today, we saw dad, mum and three singlets afloat and one egg in the nest. Another worry out of the way. I emptied the elsan cassette at the Shepley Bridge BW facilities. Why do they have to have door closing devices on internal doors to the sluice? The job is bad enough without having the smell concentrated even more. This one had a new twist to the rinsing hose / no rinsing hose game. There was a hose, but it was a loose fit on the tap (no jubilee clip) and as soon as the taps was turned on, the hose shot off. That accounted for most of the flooded floor, helped also by the leaking cistern. The good news – the outside tap water pressure was excellent! We arrived at the 48hr moorings to find one wooden post at either end some 150 feet apart. The one I went to put a rope around was loose, I carried out a personal risk assessment and to prevent possible injury to myself or to any subsequent moorer; I pulled it out of the ground and laid it down by the fence. I believe that at long last, I am beginning to get the hang of this health and safety lark.

Weather, raining, then drizzle and overcast.

The 2008 journey thus far: 182 Locks & 295.5 Miles & 19 Swing\Lift Bridges

Journeys using bus pass: 9