Date: Wed, 2 May 2001 17:50:34 EDT From: Jbs637@aol.com Reply-To: Canals To: Canals Subject: Trip report.......2 days out... Finally left Stanley Ferry in brilliant warm sunshine, on the morning of the first. Is this an omen for the summer? After a pleasant run up the Calder to Wakefield, we arrived at Fall Ing Lock. If there is a heavier gated lock on the system, I have yet to find it! Dawn could not budge it, but with the benefit of local knowledge, we were prepared and soon had LoD tied up, and I was able to help her to close it. The paddles on this lock are fierce. There used to be a warning notice, but it has been vandalised. If you open the ground paddle more than three or four clicks, your boat will be bounced around the lock like a cork. ! Patience is a virtue! Round the corner from the lock is a large woodyard (Howarth Timbers) where you can buy a length of hardwood (3" x 2" x 3ft) with which you can make a hand spike for the forthcoming Calder Hebble Locks. The first of the "short" (57ft 6 ins) locks is at Thornes, a couple of miles upstream. This was the acid test, as LoD is 60ft! Like Cinderella's slipper, she fitted perfectly! We are now at Horbury Junction, having passed the "Navigation" at Calder Grove in favour of the Bingley Arms. What a mistake!!! What used to be a cracking canal side pub is now a dump, run by an ignoramus who managed to smoke, pet his dog and pull beer for the other four occupants, all at the same time. Having been to the "Navigation" recently, I can heartily recommend it. The night was saved by a trip up to the "Quarry", where we had a great meal with very acceptable Camerons Bitter. Today, two boaters, going in the opposite direction, told me not to bother with Standedge Tunnel, as "it is fully booked". What a load of rubbish, but enough to make me use the mobile at peak time to call the Tunnel Centre. Why do people insist on creating problems where none exist, and then create rumours to substantiate them? Sad...... Hey Ho, onward and upward.... We now plan to attack the tunnel two weeks today, so that will give us plenty of time to head up towards Todmorden and the dizzy heights of the Rochdale, then return for the esoteric delights of Huddersfield! If anyone is thinking of coming this way, I will help out with Q & A all I can. Give me a call, more later. John and Dawn Stead, nb "Lord of the Dance" currently moored at Horbury Bridge, Calder Hebble Canal. ---