Good Going

After our efforts yesterday, we didn’t need to cover much distance today.  The morning started damp and grey too, so we were in no hurry.  It was less than a mile to the Ledgard Flood Lock which has the Canal and River Trust (CRT) website has been saying is closed for the last week, despite river levels returning to normal.  We went for a walk down the towpath to see for ourselves as the day brightened somewhat.  It was a relief, but not a surprise to find the gates open.  I’ve emailed CRT and asked them to update the website.

We walked a little further along the river to the site of the old bridge.  This narrow bridge used to take the horses across the river when the towpath changed sides.  All that remains now is a pair of pillars in the middle of the river which collects flotsam.

River pillars.  A pair of pillars stand in the middle of a wide muddy river.  A large collection of sticks and twigs have been washed against the upstream side of them.  The far bank is tree -lined, but there is also a small sapling growing out of the top of one of the pillars.
Mirfield Horse Bridge Pillars

We returned to the boat and then drove as far as the handy moorings we’d spotted near the discount supermarket (other discount supermarkets are available).  I went to buy a few heavy essentials before lunch.  After lunch we set off triumphantly through the flood gates.

Flood lock.  A narrowboat is just passing through the tail gates of a flood lock.  The head gates are built under a stone bridge further ahead.  All the gates are fully open.  A large sign indicates that there is a weir to the left.
Bartimaeus Entering Ledgard Flood Lock

After a short river section we arrived at another lock.  I left Clare to manage the boat while I hopped off armed with two windlasses and an axe handle.  At this lock I didn’t need the axe handle, but the ratchet windlass was useful for opening the tail gate paddles, and the other windlass was essential for the head gate paddles.

The next canal section seemed to be hosting a Sunday morning angling competition.  Some of the anglers seemed to be competing to be the most disgruntled by a passing boat, but others gave us a cheery wave.  Another open flood lock took us on to the river again and soon to our last lock on this waterway.  I took all three bits of equipment with me again, this time needing the axe handle to open one of the gate paddles on the head gate.

Paddle gear.  The paddle gear on a Hebble and Calder lock gate is unusual.  Two blocks of wood hold a toothed wheel which lifts a vertical post attached to the paddle.  The toothed wheel is by inserting a "spike" in to one of four holes in a horizontally mounted capstan.  The gear is part of the lock gate which also has a handrail and walk board attached.
Hebble and Calder Lock Gear

A woman watching asked if I minded them doing so.  I told her it was fine, but that we had a word for them.  She was pleased to learn the word gongoozler!  It took a little longer to let down the paddle with the axe handle, but I managed not to damage myself this time.  We had nearly reached the visitor moorings before the next flood lock when the rain came on.  We moored up and got inside as soon as we could.

The rain didn’t last long so I went on a little explore.  Just ahead of us is the next decision point.  Tomorrow morning when we exit the flood gate we plan to turn downstream for a short distance to the end of the Huddersfield Broad Canal.  If we turn upstream, we would be heading for Rochdale and a different crossing of the Pennines.

Flood gate junction.  High lock gates set in to a stone wall stand open.  Above them a large sign shows that a gentle right turn heads towards Sowerby Bridge, while a very sharp left turn leads to the Huddersfield Canal.  Trees line the far bank of the muddy river which flows past the lock.
Flood Lock Decision Point

The canal section we are in runs almost parallel to the river.  I realised that the road on the bridge just behind where we are moored goes almost immediately over the river, and that on the other side of that bridge is the entrance to the Huddersfield Canal, tomorrow’s destination.  It was thus a surprisingly short walk to look at the junction.  The main thing to notice is the muddy footprints on the lock landing.  I might previously have been worried about being swept over the weir, I now know to be more concerned that whoever jumps ashore keeps their footing.

Muddy landing.  The concrete landing at the outside of a river lock is covered in mud with large numbers of footprints in it.  The white painted bollards at the edge are just clear of the mud.  The lock gates are visible further downstream.  A string of bright orange floats stretch across the river to warn and protect boats from the weir beyond.
Muddy Lock Landing for the Huddersfield Broad Canal