Calder & Hebble to Sowerby Bridge

After the shallow conditions of the Huddersfield canals, it was with a sigh of relief that we felt some water beneath us on the Calder & Hebble navigation. Almost half of the navigation follows the course of the River Calder with short man-made stretches of locks and by-weirs, providing the depth of water that we enjoyed.

The locks (as they were on the Huddersfield broad Canal) are short - just 57ft long while our boat is 60ft - and it would take us all our concentration to diagonally lock through them. Ian had removed the bow and stern fenders and still we only had mere inches to spare.

The Calder & Hebble canal is almost unique in that it requires the use of  a hand spike as a way of operating the ground, and gate paddles on the locks. Ian elected to operate the 15 locks while I took the helm. A few days earlier, we had met John and Shirley Winton who had come from this navigation and since they had no further use for their hand spike, they gave it to us to save us purchasing our own. Thank you John and Shirley!

Following the river valley, the rural outlook was unspoiled and it was only the distant rumble of the motorway with an occasional aqueduct and viaduct hidden alongside stone bridges that made one realise that we were actually never far from urbanisation.

We had been notified of a problem with the Guillotine Lock at Salterhebble so we tied up on the lock operation mooring and Ian went to investigate wile I made some coffee. The CRT fellows had a similar idea and asked if we wouldn't mind if they finished their 'brew' before helping us through the lock. Well we were in no hurry and I took the opportunity to ask questions about the area, the unusual lock and the problems associated with it. I was even asked if I would like a job at CRT  since I showed such interest. Um... 'Job' verses boating in the summer?? I think not - but thanks for asking!

Following the notes in the Nicholson Guide, we headed for Elland Basin to moor for the night. with an expectation of "tasetfully restored buildings and gardens" that were "worth more than a fleeting glance" we thought we were in for a treat. However, the visitor mooring was alongside a pub - convenient but also not too busy - and the basin was crammed with long term mooring boats so there was little to see. We enjoyed a drink at the pub while chatting to the friendly landlady before returning to our boat and cooking supper.
Note to self - although the Nicolson's guide is updated regularly, you cannot always believe what they say!

Ian had found a marina in Sowerby Bridge that offered overnight and visitor mooring and having decided to take a few days to visit family, we headed for the basin. It was in the restored basin that we found this delightful 'Boatman and Son' statue. The mooring was not bad and with a charge of just £25.00 per week, we booked two weeks. To put this into context, we have paid anything from £10.00 to £18.00 per night for visitor mooring in the past. We also had the option of an electrical hook-up so decided to leave the boat's service batteries on charge while we were away.

We hired a car through Enterprise hire car company since we are guaranteed of being collected wherever we are. At the appointed time, the car arrived and we locked up the boat, loaded up the car and set off for Brough to visit my Aunt and Uncle.

While we were there, we spoiled Aunt Shiela - and us - with an 'Afternoon Tea' at an hotel alongside the Humber River (it was her 86th birthday within the week and she certainly doesn't look it)...

... and the following day, Saturday, cousin Tony and his lovely other half, Jo arranged for us all to meet for lunch.

We had a wonderful time and all too soon it was time to hit the road again!

Next stop was Caversham, Reading to visit daughter Jo and family. I have missed the children - Hollie, now 3 1/2 and Elliott, 18 months - so it was an enjoyable (if somewhat exhausting) visit. We enjoyed a walk along the River Thames and spent time in the play park before an afternoon at the 'Soft Play. Here the children get their revenge on parents - and grandparents -as they have us running in and out of their purpose-built play area. I did sleep well after all that exercise and I hope that I burned off some of the extra calories from the week before.

Returning to the boat, we had a few days in the basin while we waited for the boat safety examiner. It gave us time to get some maintenance jobs done (Ian had to put the bow and stern fenders back on while I caught up the washing and cleaning) as well as explore Sowerby Bridge before we once again hit the waterways - this time the Rochdale Navigation.