Friday 8th April
It’s been a very strenuous day (for Barbara and I anyway!) as we embark upon the 127 miles of locks and swing bridges that is Leeds and Liverpool Canal! We have travelled 6.5 miles, 13 locks and 2 swing bridges to Rodley.
We left Clarence Dock at 7-30 am and arrived at Rodley about 12-30pm, whereupon we retired to the Rodley Barge for some restorative beers! I said we did 13 locks, that is not strictly true, we had help with the 2 staircases at Newlay locks and Forge locks, from a couple of BW chaps. I was very pleased to see them at the locks when we rounded the corner.
The 7 locks we did do ourselves were not the easiest ones we have ever done. I think we had got a bit soft with all the electric locks beforehand but even so some of the (unusual) paddle gear and gates were very stiff. All of them were locked and required handcuff keys to get the locks off before operation.
We also experienced some difficulty getting in to some of the locks because the chambers were really short! I know the maximum length for the L and L is 60 ft, which we both are, but it was still a bit of a tight fit with 2 boats at a time. We are going to take our button and tippet off tomorrow. That might make things a bit easier.
George was doubly pleased when we arrived here. – a) Because there was grass and doggy smells to sniff and – b) Because he could actually go to the pub today. He hasn’t been to the pub for ages, bless.
We are unable to get a tv signal here on the aerial or the satellite dish but I suspect I will be asleep soon anyway!
