Tuesday 9 August 2016

We started the day with a dash to Morrisons then we got on our way. Ready for the challenge of 22 swing bridges.  The first one was so close that I walked to open it, no sooner had we gone through than a hotel widebeam arrived followed by a hired widebeam.  By the time these had gone through I had caused quite a build up of traffic so I agreed with a lady on another narrowboat behind that I would close it and she would re-open it.  Thankfully we started with a couple of other boats so we shared the first few bridges.

It wasn’t long and there were only two of us but this still worked quite well.  They then reached their mooring so we carried on through the last four alone.  I was helped with two by a couple of passers-by.  I probably did 10 out of the 22 but it still felt like a hard day’s work when we stopped.

The canal passes through Airedale which is a wide valley defined by tall steep hills, it hugs the hillsides just above the valley floor so no locks for 17 miles….just swing bridges!!

The canal passes right through the middle of many towns and villages but you are never without the backdrop of hills and countryside.  Steve has decided he doesn’t like it as much up north as he did the south.  I’m enjoying seeing as much of the country as possible – just wish the sun would shine a bit more – we had a mixture of very limited sunshine, cold blustery winds and of course a few heavy downpours!

We decided to call it a day at the top of the Bingley Five Rise locks.  I went for a walk to the bottom to have a look at tomorrow’s challenge!

Through the first swing bridge.

And through the centre of Skipton.

 

Two boats ahead - that will make swing bridging a bit easier!

Run away hay bail.

Chugging through the middle of Silsden - look how steep the terraces are.

I'm sure this big black cloud followed us for most of the day!

Catching his breath!

Interesting hair-do!

I don't know whether this is named after somebody of a play on words...I own her.

Looking up at the Bingley Five Rise - Impressive!

And looking down from the top.

Our neighbours this evening!

8.30pm - the sun puts in an appearance - hope we get a spectacular sun set.

The clouds are gathering.

And the sun has nearly gone but the clouds have got in the way of the sun set!