Westward ho

15/8/2017

A last visit to Salt's Mill, to pay our respects to a magnificent restoration effort. Our last mooring was near the mill in the photo.  Lunch in one of the cafes in the mill- leek, parsnip and ginger soup. Yum.

Late yesterday, around 8pm, we walked through Salt's recreation grounds, and stopped to admire a local cricket match between sub continental teams (from Bradford) The green fields created by the 19th C philanthropist,  now assisting community enjoyment and integration. We stopped and chatted to some of the onlookers, our conversation interrupted by the locals shouting advice to the players.

Then in the afternoon, motoring to our first obstacle, Hirst Lock and swing bridge. The lock gate appears more of a cascade than a functional gate, and it becomes clear there is some obstruction stuck in the gate, causing it to leak- like a waterfall!

A queue of boats, delayed by the obstruction, so we seize our windlasses, and work to clear the queue, and take our turn. Through the lock, and the pedestrian bridge needs to be swung open to allow boats through. JJ mans up for this task, involving hefty pushing and grunting. I can manage the latter.

Now moored in woodland, foraged blackberries for tea, with a late walk 3 km to view tomorrow's first obstacle, a 3 lock staircase, taking us 30 feet up the Pennines. The canal slips along  the Aire valley, crossing the river a mile back on a massive stone aqueduct, some 100 metres long.

And following the 3 rise lock, the mighty Bingley 5 rise. These staircase locks have no ponds between each lock. As you climb, the top gate of each lock is the bottom gate of the next, requiring careful water management. One boat can come each way, passing each other, or 2 boats can climb the staircase together.

Our walkie talkies are invaluable with these more complicated obstacles.