MONDAY. At Skipton
The 2008 journey thus far: 235 Locks & 349 Miles & 46 Swing\Lift Bridges
Journeys using bus pass: 16
We called in at Snaygill Boats on our way to Skipton, for some engine oil and to top up the diesel tank. Their price was 85p/litre, but having heard how it just keeps on going up, I have decided to keep the tank fairly full. We also filled up with water as it is free to customers. We had met the previous owners on our last trip along the Leeds and Liverpool, they were really friendly. The new owners have the same quality of service and we have heard good reports about the standard of their boats. We should really be sending an invoice to BW for dredging. We needed to turn around to allow the diesel hose to reach, and repeat the manoeuvre to continue our journey. We certainly moved some mud around and it was slow going, of course a boat appeared when we were across the canal, but they only had to slow a little and were quite happy about it. Moving off, Myra did the next swing bridge for us, held it for a wide beam community boat coming towards us and by the time that they had cleared the bridge, a hire boat came up travelling our way, so she waited also for them. We travelled behind them at slightly above tickover speed in heavy rain to Skipton, where we moored opposite the bus station just after the Keighley road bridge. We walked around the market stalls and the covered shopping area mainly to keep out of the rain. WH Smith still did not have the Railway Magazine for August, but I managed to obtain one at Martin’s. All is well.
Chris from Canvas Man will telephone tomorrow morning to arrange a suitable time for the cratch bar re-fitting.
Showers, lighter than yesterday and few bright intervals.
