Rodley and Kirkstall

The day was generally very gray and at times quite wet although never into the 'torrential' zone. As reported yesterday, we expected an engineer to come and fix our broken throttle cable. Soon after 9 we contacted RCR and they told us that someone from the boatyard at Bingley should be with us soon. Christine then spoke to the boatyard and was assured that he would be setting off as soon as he had packed his van.

After some while we saw no-one so another phone call which revealed that he had gone to the wrong entrance to the sewage works! He eventually arrived having had to walk some distance: the last part of the road that comes over the bridge where we were moored is a private road belonging to Yorkshire Water and, as he put it, "it is like getting into Fort Know to get here!" There were two sets of security gates each of which only operated with automatic pass cards so there was no-one to ask about access.

Anyway, he brought with him a selection of cables and soon identified that our diagnosis was correct and showed us where the cable had broken. Despite his collection of cables, none was quite right but he was able to fit a slightly longer one. All of this was done rather quickly and we were able to set off around 11:45.

Dobson's Locks

We quickly realised that the tick over rate on the engine was now way too high. Fortunately, Christine was able to contact the engineer immediately and arranged to meet him at Dobson's Lock, a two rise staircase a short distance further on.

A boat was already in the locks so there was a little delay during which Mike used the sani station and the engineer did what he had forgotten to do: check the tick over rate!

Cottages below Dobson's Locks

Going down the locks we were helped by someone who is renovating two of the former canal cottages beside the lock which he bought at auction last autumn. They had been rented out to former BW employees for many years and are around 250 years old. As a result, the works he is having to do are extensive and subject to agreement with the heritage officer as the buildings are listed.

As we were about to exit the lower lock, Christine had backed the boat right up to the cill - we are only just able to pass through these locks - when suddenly someone trying to demonstrate his knowledge to a group from two hire boats waiting to come up, opened one of the gate paddles, sending a cascade of water onto the boat stern. Mike shouted and the paddles was closed. The man concerned was barely apologetic and claimed not to have seen that we were still in the lock - even if he was looking straight at it! To make matters worse, there was no reason to open that paddle at that stage of the lock operation anyway - he should have been filling the upper lock via the top gate paddles.

We now pressed on as we wanted to make Newlay Locks by 15:00 when they are locked up for the day. The section from this flight down to Kirkstall has long had a problem with aggressive, mainly young, people often the worse for drink. This season CaRT have employed a security person to work with the lock keepers to offer some protection. However, we were told, the problem is that many of the abuse comes from under age youngsters and the security guard cannot touch them.

Only 8 miles to Leeds!

As we left Dobsons our computer estimate was that we would arrive at Newlay just too late but this included about six swing bridges. On a good day we can do each of these in 5 minutes although we estimate on the basis of 10, which is what it can be when they are difficult.

As it happened, luck was with us and we whizzed through each of them. At Rodley we had a debate about whether to stop there, close to some shops, or press on aiming to reach Newlay with a few minutes to spare. We opted to continue and arrived with almost a quarter of an hour to spare! as we approached the lock we breathed a sigh of relief when we could see the lock keeper working a boat up.

Onlookers!

Although, as we neared the difficult section we did see one or two small groups carrying bags of cans and bottles, drinking as they walked along, we also saw some families with young children who were very pleasant. A very mixed situation and it is hard to judge, just passing through, how difficult it can get. One of the problems, which we did glimpse last year, is that some lads like to use the locks as a diving pool, especially in the hot weather. No doubt the rain and cooler temperature today acted somewhat as a deterrent!

The lock keeper at Forge Locks had obviously had some difficult experiences in the past - he has worked seasonally as a lock keeper for ten years - but Christine was impressed by the way in which the young security man handled one group that might otherwise have been an issue.

The keeper was very friendly and could talk for England! He did, however, tell us that Kirkstall is the last lock which is closed over night but he recommended that we consider stopping for the night at Aire Valley Marina which is very safe and with most friendly people.

Christine gave them a call and made arrangements for us to stay there. This avoided the need to arrive late in Leeds not sure whether there would be room in Clarence Dock or the free moorings at Granary Wharf. In the end, with all of the unexpected delays, we are only about an hour and a half behind our trip plan and we should be able to absorb that tomorrow. All we have to be concerned about now is if there is too much heavy rain, the rivers Aire and Calder might be temporarily closed to navigation. But, hey, let's not create a problem before it happens!

The Marina is in what used to be the unloading wharf for the adjacent power station. Both have now gone but a large switching and distribution installation is on the site.

8.2 miles - 9 locks