Marsden

Our goal today was to reach the summit level so that we can spend tomorrow on an outing with the girls. Alas, the good weather deserted us from the start today as we set off up the last 12 locks. Alice and Jess sensibly decided to stay inside and keep dry, leaving us to get on with getting the boat up the locks! They seemed to find plenty to occupy themselves - iPad is a wonderful substitute for television!

Although we were quite heavily rained on, there were some surprisingly bright spells as well - pity they were so short!

The locks from our overnight stop are all close together with some very short pounds. This means that the water level drops noticeably with one lock filling and great care is then needed not to go aground in the pound.

Alongside the canal at the next lock is an old mill building - the same notices about receivership as we spotted two years ago are still fixed to the perimeter fence. On the opposite side is a row of twelve cottages, which we presumed were for workers at the mill. Are these 'back'to-backs'?

Lower Sparth Reservoir

We passed the two Sparth reservoirs, looking healthily full.

The top flight had water coming down the bypass weirs quite vigorously - however there are back pumps which ensure that this is achieved without undue loss of water to lower levels. We missed where the intake is.

The final section up to the start of Marsden itself is very wooded and provides a good end to the climb out of Huddersfield. Altogether, the scenery is great and we can only feel a sense of disappointment that so few boats take the effort to enjoy it. We saw no boats on the move all morning - just one more arrived after we had moored.

A high proportion of the 42 locks have been renewed in the past two winters and are generally in excellent condition - who said that gates have top be leaky?

Occasionally the trees clear and it is possible to see a view across the valley.

We arrived at the visitor moorings above the last lock in good time for lunch. This gave two of us a chance to dry out a bit! In the afternoon we began by walking along the towpath to the tunnel and to look at the Visitor Centre. Although it started to rain again as soon as we set off, the trees along the way kept us dry.

Marsden Tunnel Entrance

Standedge Visitor Centre

The Visitor Centre was originally a warehouse built, not as part of the original canal, but rather later. The displays tell the story of the building of the canal, the efforts of the navvies and the techniques used in digging the tunnel. The original engineer and supervisor were not really up to the job and by 1802 both have been replaced by more experienced men. The renowned Thomas Telford was also brought in to assess the situation and he left detailed instructions for the team on site to follow.

Alice and Jess discovered some climbing play equipment - they could only be prised away after about an hour!

Diggle Tunnel Entrance

We walked back to the boat and then collected the car from where Mike left it just over a week ago. We then took a ride over the top of the hills where the tunnel runs underneath and back down the other side to Diggle where the tunnel emerges still alongside the railway. The original portal was further back but it was moved, and thus the tunnel lengthened, when the third railway tunnel (the one in use today) was built. The gates depict the legging of boats through the tunnel.

From there we continued around the hills and eventually arrived at Holmfirth, known to two of us as the home of a certain TV series! We were looking for a good tea room and struck lucky - a place around the back of the main street which does a variety of things including showing movies in a 20 seater cinema with food served in between the main films! The chef also runs regular master classes.

On the chalk board we spotted an unusual name for a scone - Yorkshire Fat Rascal which, we were told, has 18 different ingredients. It was certainly most delicious. the girls both opted, after lengthy consideration at the cake fridge, for chocolate caramel shortbread.

Time then to drive back to the boat and soon after our evening meal. Jess was certainly tired by then and went off to bed, falling asleep at a much earlier hour than normal!

1.3 Miles - 12 Locks

(This and the next day's blog were delayed in uploading as there is very limited or no mobile phone signal at the tunnel engrance in Marsden)