Bartimaeus

We had moored at Knottingley at a rather industrial spot. Shane had rejected it once before, when we were collecting Bryn, as too noisy during the day, but this time with the windows and doors closed we reckoned we wouldn’t hear the constant rumble. It didn’t disturb us at all. I expected an unattractive view in the morning but the mist with the sun struggling through was quite the opposite.

Some adolescent cygnets with their white feathers pushing through swam past with parents still with them. They didn’t seem too keen for food. On the bow a feather with dew glistened as I tied my rope.

The mist was soon beaten by the sun and a glorious blue sky was a stunning backdrop to the trees which themselves were a mix of colours.

Nature was outdoing herself today. We were both intrigued by the bridge with interesting rock that looked like an old wall with newer wall built above it. It was hard to tell when nature stopped and the bridge building started.

It wasn’t the only impressive bridge, there was a magnificent arch bridge over the River Calder too, with some more recent railings added and made even better by the blue skies and reflections.

As I got off the boat to work the first lock I saw a row of webs glistening with dew on the gates. At the other end the heads of hydrangea was the largest and most delicate flower heads I can remember seeing.

The sun dried up the damp seats and all the locks were push button, so not arduous. At one there was a couple there already and she told me her key was in the box at one end. I said she could get on and I would do the other end, but getting on at that lock required a fair manoeuvre and using steps as it was like a triangular lake. I waited until she was safely on before pressing any buttons to move the water. I needn’t have worried, it was a very gentle movement. In fact it was hard to see if it was working at all.

The automatic locks took the grunt out of locking. We could enjoy the sun without overheating, pushing heavy gates or winding. It was a relaxing day with gently operating locks and plenty space. We met the occasional gongoozler, but got the vast locks to ourselves.

We moored up before it cooled at a popular spot. An autumn reminder was right beside us. I did as the notice instructed, before we headed off for a walk, bumping into a boater we had last seen on the Chesterfield canal. He was looking for firewood, expecting colder days ahead.

I wasn’t intending baking but found one of the apples mushed down to make a lovely base as part of a curry. It was the day for “self promotion” on the Women On Barges group and someone put up a beautiful apple cake. Perhaps I should have taken more apples.

I didn’t put my curry on the site as it wasn’t very photogenic, though it was very tasty. I did have something to share. I finished off the sewing and buttons on a baby cardigan, in a sunny hue, or is it Autumn gold?