Thursday 25 August 2016

We had a good few days back in London catching up with family and friends and got back to the boat Monday lunchtime.  We had already decided that we would stay an extra night rather than a four drive, unpack and set off and have to find somewhere to moor.

I called the CRT to book passage through Standedge Tunnel – we were hoping to go through on Friday but they said they were fully booked and we would have to wait until Monday.  There are 42 locks between here and the tunnel and number 24 is a guillotine lock that we also have to have assistance to get through and need to book 24 hours in advance.  So we asked at the marina if we could stay for an extra couple of nights which they said was fine – free electric and wifi = lots of washing, ironing and watching BBC iplayer!

Ready to get going again but the marina doesn’t open until 2.00pm today and they are selling diesel at 66p a litre so we arranged to fill up when they opened.  Alan, the guy that runs the marina is a really nice guy – very helpful and has told us where to moor between here and the tunnel.

We’ve had tropical weather the last couple of days whilst we have been standing still but today – you’ve guessed it – it’s pouring down.  Boots and waterproofs on and we get on our way.  It was really interesting leaving Huddersfield, the canal takes us under a couple of roads and right through the middle of some of the University.  Apsley Marina was at the end of the Huddersfield Broad Canal and the beginning of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal so we are back to single locks and also some very narrow and bits and low tunnels.

Through eight locks and we arrive at the first recommended mooring spot, even though there are no other boats here the locals seem friendly enough.  No TV signal again but we are right next to a tall mill wall on one side and there are three story flats on the other side of the canal.  Thanks to the rain the towpaths are really muddy but we are settled down inside in the dry now and going nowhere until the morning!

Steve's off to Uni!

For any Treckies out there!

What a great building for the Army Reserve Cadets

Apsley Marina - home for a few days.

Shame it was so near to the road, quite handy being so near to the pub though!



Setting off in the rain - we had to do a three point turn as the diesel pump was at the wrong end for our stern!

Making our way under the first road.

We'd better duck - it's a bit low under here!

Steve's first challenge - lock 1 - very narrow and a raging backwash pushing him over (he did hit the wall!! - glad I wasn't driving!

Wow this is a narrow bit leading to the tunnel under the University.

Still heading for the tunnel, it must be around the bend.

Here it is.

It goes right under the Uni - the sides have these pillar type walls that look like people all standing in a line - a bit spooky!

Tiny Tunnel - no widebeams around here!

Goodbye Huddersfield - it's been a good few days.

Through Lock 8 - and there is plenty of mooring space - it was a bit shallow at the first place we stopped and a guy in one of the flats opposite said that if a boat comes down it will drain the pound and you will be left leaning over - I wonder if he just didn't really want us mooring opposite his garden!  We moved to a deeper spot and the heavens opened again so I expect by morning the canal will be in flood!

And there is Lock 9 waiting for us in the morning.