Sunday 28 August 2016

It rained a lot through the night (and yesterday afternoon!) and the water level had risen quite considerably this morning.  It’s really muddy on the towpaths which is a shame as they are well used by dog walkers, joggers and cyclists.

We had a TV signal at lock 39 so we were able to watch the Grand Prix!

One boat came past us whilst we were sitting there – he was a lone boater and had been all the way down to Huddersfield only to find that at 62 foot long he couldn’t fit in the locks on the Huddersfield Broad Canal so he had had to turn back – he is not booked to go back through the tunnel until Friday so he will have to hang around.

At 4.00pm we set off and as usual on a Sunday there were plenty of people to talk to along the way.  At the last lock we were glad of some help.  For some reason the lock wouldn’t equalise because the bottom gates were leaking so badly that there was about an inch to go and the lock just wouldn’t fill so we enlisted some help – it only took Steve and five people to push it open – I was at the other end making sure the paddles were down as far as they could go!

The last lock is right next to the station and being bank holiday weekend the pub crawlers were out in force.  As we approached we thought there was a football match going on somewhere but when we got to the lock it was people on the station platform waiting for the train singing…at full volume – apparently they go from station to station getting on and off the train to complete their pub crawl in each of the villages!

The locals are not happy – they’ve tried to ban it but I bet the pub owners don’t mind!

5.00pm and we are moored up at the tunnel with only one other boat and the odd train rumbling past for company.  No TV signal but I do have internet so can catch up with the blog!

Lock 39 - our home last night.

Harmless row of cottages opposite until at 11pm and 3am - somebody was trying to wake up whoever was inside - the door has the footprints to prove it!

Looking down from a lock bridge.

Our five happy helpers!

I'll tell you tomorrow what it was like.

The Visitors Centre - seems to be a popular day out.

Peaceful setting - the railway line is just behind the trees to the right!

You can get an idea of how deep the tunnel is by seeing how high the hill on top is - I haven't told Steve yet but I think he may have to duck in places from what someone has said!

5686 yards is a long way to leg through a tunnel - I won't be trying to beat David Whiteheads record - I bet he didn't have to wear a hard hat, life jacket and hi vis jacket like we do today!