I have NEVER been so scared!

Oh my God! If I knew then what I know now I would never have got out of bed! Set off this morning early as heavy rain was forecasted for our region and we wanted to get to Huddersfield before the showers could get a hold, so beating C&RT (just) to the first lock we fully expected a decent run down.

leaving lock 20

 This time water was no problem, rather more then we bargained for, actually, while descending the locks! This brings a whole new meaning to boat washing!

 In fact from lock 18E to lock 12E every one had leakage through the lock walls. I had to rush and close all the windows quick before we had the inside of the boat washed as well!

We encountered very narrow channels. Reminded me of our trip down Savic Brook on the Lancaster Canal. If another boat had come towards us we wouldn't have stood a chance in getting out of their way. Reversing would have been the only answer and that would have been nie on impossible owing to lack of dredging at the sides.

As we approached lock 10E a message was etched onto the balance beams. I have seen this once before at another lock but on what canal and what lock escapes me at present.

The slow machine that England was

Straightened Straitened boxed and sluiced

 Before lock 3E there is a single channel wide enough for just one boat. It was from here that our troubles began. As you exit the lock the towpath disappears and to pick up your crew you have to stop in one of the tunnels.

Approaching lock 3E

 Now the water levels were low but apart from rolling over something in the middle (not sure how an obstruction can get in the tunnel) we kept on going.

No public access

 Emerging back into the light, we came to a section only boaters can use, no towpath for the public. Would be a lovely secure mooring if only one could get to the side. At the end was lock 2E.After descending I again had to pick Ian up from steps inside the tunnel. This time Ian expressed concerns about how low the water levels were and I suppose we should have stayed put and Ian to walk via the road to lock 1E and assess the situation,  Now... what do they say about hindsight? Well, we crept forward on tickover and the boat started doing odd things. Wobbling from side to side, almost if it was on a cushion of air, and then the grating started. We went up in the air and down again and the thought of being stuck in a tunnel was beyond comprehension. Thankfully we kept moving and got out the other side but then, as we were about to enter another narrow channel, we started bumping over something (bit like speed bumps but underwater). Then we stopped! Ian tried reverse and with a huge amount of revs got us to bump over them again but backwards. Now we really were stuck. Couldn't go back couldn't go forward. So it was a phone call to C&RT explaining where we were and what the situation was. The message we got back was it would be about an hour before they would arrive. So we poled the stern towards the side, tied the rope loosely to hold us in place, had lunch, put spare fenders down to stop our cabin side from rubbing the wooden rubbing boards and waited. It was well over an hour when suddenly we surged forward. Ian, luckily, happened to be at the back but had no time in releasing our stern rope tied to the board. Consequently, it ran along the length, Ian managed to pull the quick release knot but it got well and truly snagged. We were still travelling forward at quite a rate when I got the engine into reverse. With a mighty jerk, the rope got torn apart and with me now panicking I gave the engine all it got, Talk about smoke!!!! Thank goodness we had the sense to keep the engine running but no matter how high we had the revs the boat kept creeping forward. To top it all the rain, which had threatened on and off all day, came down in torrents. If we had allowed the boat to run forward the damage would have been horrendous. As it was FS kept rearing and bucking just like a bronco and all we could do was to ride it out. After what seemed an age the rushing water subsided. Okay, we were no longer stuck but both of us were visibly shaken as well as fuming at the C&RT idiot that had (a) failed to come and see where we were stuck, and (b) opened both paddles after filling the lock to allow that amount of water to rush through. Then, while Ian was still trying to control the boat, the phone rings. It's a C&RT lady sitting in her cosy office letting us know that the men have arrived and are sorting the problem out. Well, I let rip. I cannot tell you the language I used to the girl at the other end. She eventually gets a word in and said that it was a chap called Ian that was at the lock. I told her to tell this Ian to meet us at lock 1E so we could give him a piece of our minds.
Anyway, we arrive at the lock and sure enough, this Ian walks down to meet us. Turns out he is acting waterways manager Ian Pankhurst going along the length of this canal to sort out its problems. Well both of us laid into him like there was no tomorrow. He had the audacity to say he didn't know we were there!!!!!!! and couldn't apologize enough about what had happened. His words were "This is one lesson C&RT has learnt!!! I spouted on about our back rope left dangling from the wooden board where another unsuspecting boater will probably get it around his prop. All we got out of him was a stupid bit of rope so we could tie up tonight. A letter of complaint has already been emailed to head office by Ian. We have asked for compensation as I was scared witless and a new rope! I cant see us getting either! So here are my photos.

out of lock 2E heading for the tunnel

This is where FS had the wobbles and we ran over an obstruction. You can see why I didn't want to get stuck in there!

The gap where it was all to go horribly wrong

Now stuck and looking back

The narrow channel where we ended up surging forward

This rubbing board should have been at gunwale height

Just the right height to rub on our cabin side. We also loosely tied the stern rope to it (with a quick release knot I might add)

Water level should be up to the chain

Ian finding the fenders

Whats left of our rope

Now moored in Huddersfield on the Huddersfield Broad Canal