Wakefield

We had moored overnight in the centre of Brighouse - Andrew went shopping as soon as he was up and about (actually he went twice!) but our initial boat task was to move 20 metres around a corner to the sani station and water point.

Tasks complete we were able to set off down the two Brighouse Locks - close together. By now we were familiar with a routine of getting a 60' boat through a 58' broad lock!

The rest of the day's cruise mainly consisted of a series of river sections interspersed with cuts, each with a flood lock or gates at the upper end and a proper lock just before re-joining the river. Some of the locks had handspike mechanisms but most also had a windlass alternative as well.

The canal/river is crossed by a series of bridges - railway and motorway provide the more impressive structures.

Whenever the river leaves the navigation there is a protective string of floats which is some comfort when it becomes obvious how close to the weir the boat is expected to travel!

At Dewsbury Junction a short arm goes off under an rather unimpressive bridge into the centre of the town. We continued along the main route.

The locks gradually became wider and, generally, somewhat longer although it is strange how variable in construction they all are. ground paddles with unusual mechanisms now put in an appearance although going down we did not have to struggle with most of them - they seem to be particularly hard.

Arrival at Wakefield was announced by the '99 arches' railway bridge (Nicholsons says that only 95 can be found!) and before long we were in the centre of the city, turning into the flood lock that we last came to see when we were stranded at Broadreach lock in the floods four years ago. Extra height has been added to the lock and other flood prevention measures seem to be new.

The river was now calm and inviting - we encountered little other than greenery all the way.

A surprise as we had expected the lower part of the Calder and Hebble to be more industrialised or at least show signs of its past. Only a few reminders of the commercial origins of the navigation remain. (Here is one from earlier in the day)

We opted to continue down to Broadreach Lock so that we can say that we have now completed the link which we were prevented from on out last visit. We also found the flood marks in the stone work below the lock which we watched through the night with growing concern as the water level came within a few inches of the top.

16.2 Miles - 25 Locks