About Us

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In 1977 we hired our first narrowboat from Anglo Welsh at Market Harborough.From that moment our destiny was set. In 2006 we finally purchased our own brand new 57' narrowboat which we named 'Free Spirit'. Our aim is to travel the length and breadth of all the navigable rivers and canals of the UK. This will be our story as it unfolds.

Wednesday 17 September 2008

Bingley 5 rise again


Us on our own and waiting at the bottom of the flight
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2 comments:

silver horde said...

Enjoyed looking at your photos of the L&L canal.
We are hiring a narrowboat for a few days next month and hope to cruise between the Bingley 5 rise and the Foulridge tunnel.
Have you any words of wisdom or fav pubs for me?
We have been fans of the canals since the 80s but have yet to buy a nb...one can dream!!

Ian and Irene Jameison said...

We have thoroughly enjoyed the L&L. It is an underused rural canal for most of its length although it does have its negatives such as the dereliction alleys of Blackburn & Burnley. With regard to the Bingley - Foulridge length we havent sampled many of the hostelries, but those we have have been quite good. We would recommend the White Lion in Kildwick which has an excellent menu. The Fishermens at Dowley Gap top lock has been recommended to us but we did not get the chance to sample their wares, mores the pity. The Snaygill Arms just before Skipton carries a range of the local "Copper Draqon" Skipton Brewary beers. In Skipton both the Narrow Boat and the Cock & Bottle serve good beer and food while the Red Lion at the top of the market does 2 meals for £10. On the subject of food "Bizzie Lizzies" chip shop has received our "Food to die for" award. The fresh cooked Battered plaice was out of this world!. Value for money does however go to the chinese takaway behind the bus station.
Outside Skipton we would recommend the Anchor at Salterforth. There is a visitors mooring pontoon conveniently sited to the pub. If you get the time, try to arrange a visit to the beer cellar. It is well worth it! As for the Foulridge tunnel, it does leak somewhat and entry is only allowed for 10 minutes after the hour going south or 10 minutes after the half hour going north. It is quite an easy tunnel to travel though.
You will find that for the most part the L&L canal is well watered with great rural moorings. The locks after Bingley at Dowley Gap, Gargrave and Banks Newton are normally manned and the BW guys are really helpful.

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