Before the floods

This was the calm before the storm. When the rain came boy did it rain!!! This is the river lock which we had hoped to negotiate on Friday. The weir seemed quite tame at this point but when the river rose you could hardly see where weir begun and river ended!

Flood gate into the dock. We woke on Friday morning to find we were well and truly "locked in"

Leeds floods

The river Aire rose very quickly and by Friday evening was weiring over the bottom lock gates and completely covering the towpath below. I was very thankful that we were safely locked in at the dock

Yes this is the towpath and not a stream although the swans seemed to think it was!

Jade was a bit bemused but being a typical Labrador decided that it was just to good to be true and tried to go for a swim. The water was up to her chest but that didn't deter her one little bit.

Small leak at Forge lock

Some of the locks on the Leeds and Liverpool canal are diabolical. This picture was taken at Forge staircase lock after we had descended to cill level. As you can see the leakage was horrendous and both Dennis, who was in the lock with "Icing" and myself knew that we were in for a soaking. I didn't realise just how much though until I had to reverse back to allow the gate to be opened so I could exit the chamber. There was nothing that I could do except try to shut the back doors quick. Unfortunately the force of the water was so great that it came in under the doors and into the engine compartment. Both Judy and Jade had their beds here as they liked to lay where it was warm and also to keep an eye on us. The surprise they must have had when the water came pouring in must have been priceless, but all I was concerned with was grabbing the camera to record it so we could send a report into British Waterways show our disgust at the state of there locks. What happened to all the maintenance they were supposed to be doing?

Newley Lock

Heather had a very frightening experience at this lock. The boat shown on the photo is "Icing" but I wanted to show you the amount of water pouring in over the cill and the side quoin's. As you can see the water coming in is at Dennis's head height so you can imagine what Heather went through when I tell you the story.
To exit the lock, which was no more then 60ft long, the boat had to be put in reverse to allow the gates to be opened. To do this meant the boat had to be driven into the deluge.  Consequently all the water went over the rear counter. In Heathers case this was so bad that a good foot of water cascaded over the rear deck, into the engine room and bedroom below. If little Oliver had been in this vicinity he would most certainly have been swamped and at his age the shock might have killed him! Not only that but if Heather hadn't acted quickly and throttled the boat forward the boat may have sunk!!!!!!! Needless to say she was very upset with what might have happened and I'm sure this trauma will stay with her for a long time.

Lock tree's??

I cant remember which this lock was but I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this ash tree growing on the back of a lock gate. All I know is it was one of the next few locks we encountered after the Bingley Three.

Speed cameras ???

What is it with the Leeds and Liverpool canal. First there was one way systems and now there is this speed camera! I wonder if we will get a ticket if we go over 4 mph?

Bingley five rise locks

Fantastic views from the top of these locks. "Bracken "went down with another boat while "Icing" and I followed a short while later. Our friendly lock keeper did a great job in getting us down as quick as possible but told us that we would have to negotiate the next staircase on our own.


Us coming out of the bottom lock.















The next staircase had only three locks to descend and you would have thought that Ian would know what to do by now. Well obviously he didn't because after letting us into the top lock he forgot to empty the bottom lock and consequently after we had entered the middle chamber he lifted the paddles and the water flooded the towpath as well as pouring over the bottom gates. It suddenly sunk in what he had done and he ran to open the paddles at the bottom. Of course while this was happening I hadn't any notion of what had gone on seeing as how I was to busy keeping the back end of the boat of the cill at the bottom and it was only Margaret, who was helping us to lock down, that spilled the beans. Be sure I wont let him forget it!!!

Where we moored before Silsdon

This wonderful picture was taken at 6.30 am and just before I realised the drama unfolding in the field opposite.

New born calf

What a wonderful life we have cruising the canal. On our way to Silsdon we moored at this remote spot for the night. On waking in the morning to do our usual 6.30 to 7 am dog walk we were privileged to see the birth of this calf. I can now truly say that I have seen more of the wonders of nature travelling round the country then at any other place in the UK .

Stealing Asda's Trolleys???

Back at Skipton we waited for Bracken and Icing to catch us up after there trip back home. We all stayed there for another day to allow Dennis and Margaret and Dave and Heather to see the sights. On the last day they went shopping and this is what they came back with.
I stayed with the boats while all the others went to Asda. I couldn't believe what I saw when they arrived back wheeling these supermarket trolleys. "So this is where they all go to" I thought. Inside the trolleys were two large packages and I was then informed that they had bought the only two folding bikes left in the store. Margaret volunteered to take both trolleys back to Asda after unloading the goods. Dave and Dennis then unpacked the bikes and stood scratching their heads wondering what bit went where.

Building the bike

Great excitement was had by all when the bikes were unwrapped. Then came the "putting together" this turned out to be a bit more difficult then anticipated.
















Finishing touches.

Dave watching while Ian fiddles with the gears.

Ian decided to give Dave a helping hand. The gears were being particularly difficult to get to work and Ian just happened to have the tools to do the job.

Dave getting to grips with the bike. He had a few false starts as his chain kept coming of every time he changed gear.

D
Doughnut and Oliver break


















Is this two doughnuts I see Heather????

Margaret definatly looks more stable then Dennis

Just a slight wobble Dennis!!

Now whats wrong with it??

This picture says it all. Two bikes succesfully put together and working a treat.