Bartimaeus

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.