Gargrave and Banknewton

Overnight the river level had fallen considerably and the field which was under water last night was back to grass again. Later we heard that the Aire and Calder and Calder and Hebble flood locks had been shut - fortunately that is not one problem for us as we have now left them behind us for this year.

The forecast turned out to be pretty much accurate: it was a fine drizzle for most of the morning but it cleared towards mid day and the afternoon and evening was rather warm.

Highgate Swing Bridge 173

After a couple of easy swing bridges we reached Gargrave and a series of locks - not quite close enough to call them a flight - but they were together perhaps the worst set of locks we have ever come across. In almost all cases one or more paddles were out of action, in one case dangerously so.

Broken Gate Paddle Lock 31

At the second lock only one paddle top and bottom were operating but a second gate paddle was stuck partly open. This meant that, not only was it a real challenge to open the bottom gates but also there was a considerable danger that a boat going up could be swamped with the substantial flow of water. After the sometimes silly health and safety reactions elsewhere on the system, the lack of concern in this region is in stark contrast.

Three locks up was the service stop and also a visitor mooring where we pulled in so that Alice, Jess and Mike could walk to the village shops, not more than a few minutes away (Google Street View rides again!) After calling at the newsagent for a paper we crossed over to the Co-op, the only food shop left in the village, where we bought a few supplies including milk and some other items that we will leave to Alice to write about!

On the way back we made a diversion into a tea room which also advertised that it sold old fashioned sweets. Making a choice was the really hard bit!

Back at the boat, Christine had already prepared lunch for the girls and the adults soon had theirs as well.

Old mill viewed from Lock 34

 

Crossing over the River Aire

Off again and we completed the Gargrave locks - with a group of interested walkers, adults and youngsters, to help at a couple - before crossing the River Aire, still looking quite angry!

 

A very short distance brought us to the bottom of the Banknewton locks. There was a steady stream of boats, almost all hire boats from Skipton or Snaygill, which at least meant that the locks were empty. However, they seem to give up quite early and the last few locks were on our own - although the top two were full.

Ground Paddle

These locks all have an unusual top ground paddle that involves pulling on a wooden arm that rotates the paddle from in front of the culvert. A good number were out of action and the others were in rather poor conditions and one wonders how long before they fail. Without ground paddles these deep locks need extra caution to work with just gate paddles - it can be done but inexperienced boaters (which today were the great majority) could easily find themselves in difficulties. Mike certainly found that watching and chatting to the lock keeper at the Bingley Five Rise improved his operation of the locks and an ability - mostly - to keep a single boat from being thrown around too much in the lock.

Top Lock at last!

Once at the top we looked for a mooring. We were now really into Pennine territory and the scenery especially glorious with sunshine. Whilst Mike finished preparing the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding dinner, Alice and Christine went for a walk along the towpath. Alice took a lot of photos and she will include some in her blog.

Jessica taking Granny for a walk - pictured by Alice

Alice's Blog

Oak

Sycamore Leaf

I had breakfast and then played with Jessica because it was raining. Before lunch we went shopping we bought some muffins and old-fashioned sweets. I helped Grandad with the locks and  then after we moored, I took some photos of the beautiful countryside.

A little tree

4.5 miles - 12 locks