From tpav@globalnet.co.uk Fri Apr 30 15:44:12 1999 Date: Fri, 30 Apr 1999 20:42:12 +0100 From: Trevor Pavitt Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: canals@blacksheep.org Subject: Lady Elgar goes North - 8 We are *thoroughly* enjoying the Leeds and Liverpool. Our weekend mooring at Riley Green proved quite good despite the proximity of the M65. I cycled into Feniscowles for newspapers etc. and got jeered at by the local girl-gang (average age about 12) who had obviously never seen anything like my Brompton folding bike before ^Ö admittedly it does look a bit ^ÓHampstead-Radical^Ô! Set off early on Monday morning to get through Blackburn; only problem encountered was a mass of scaffolding-planks which had been ^Óliberated^Ô and formed a log-jam in the canal. We were sad to see a collection of wreaths at Blackburn Bottom Lock in memory of a toddler who was drowned there a couple of weeks ago. Moored for the night at Hapton near the ^ÓBridge Hotel^Ô. We have been interested to note that, in places, the L&L gives the strong impression of going *downhill* ^Ö impossible of course! Tuesday we went through Burnley and, for a wonder, the sun shone! Not as much rubbish in the water as we had expected and by dint of careful navigation and judicious freewheeling we got through without incident. There is much dereliction but also much regeneration in the town. Nelson ("Marsden" before the Battle of Trafalgar!) is still a good example of the old northern industrial town ^Ö unlike anything to be seen in the South and fast disappearing I imagine ^Ö made me think of ^ÓLove on the Dole^Ô (now who wrote that?). Locked up the Barrowford flight with a nice couple on their way to Shipley and moored at the far end of the Foulridge Tunnel by the famous teashop. Wednesday was one of our best-ever days cruising, as noted elsewhere on the ng. We only covered 7 miles and 3 locks and moored by the unusual Double Arch Bridge at East Marton. Thursday was, if anything, even better with wonderful views in the Bank Newton area. Going through the lock where last year^Òs fatality occurred (Stegneck) reminded us never to let our concentration slip although we still can^Òt quite understand how it happened to an experienced crew. Moored at Gargrave where we visited the excellent chip shop for our supper. We shared the last three Gargrave locks with another 60 foot boat without problems and are now moored at the end of the Springs Branch in the lovely old town of Skipton where we look forward to an interesting weekend. I reckon that Ray Bridge, Gargrave was the most northerly point we shall reach on this trip so, alas, we are now heading South again. We find everybody up here most friendly and helpful. Trevor - nb "Lady Elgar" - Skipton