From tpav@globalnet.co.uk Thu May 6 20:43:07 1999 Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 19:54:49 +0100 From: Trevor Pavitt Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: canals@blacksheep.org Subject: Lady Elgar goes North - 9 The end of the L & L Spent a pleasant weekend at Skipton where we investigated the Springs Arm (on foot), enjoyed our favourite local beer ^Ö Timothy Taylor^Òs ^ÓLandlord^Ô and watched the San Marino Grand Prix. Our friends Clive and Sheila on ^ÓHampshire^Ô overtook us on their way to Mirfield and an added bonus was a visit from Sue Butler and Neil who moored ^ÓJemima D^Ô just behind us. We left Skipton on Bank Holiday Monday in perfect weather. There are no locks between Gargrave and Bingley but plenty of swing bridges to make up for it; just as we were saying to ourselves that these were no problem we arrived at Low Bradley! The bridge here would *not* budge. I consulted a local boater in case there was a trick to it but he said that the ^Ótrick^Ô was to push like Hell! Enlisted his help but even the two of us couldn^Òt shift it ^Ö in the end he pushed and rocked one end and I the other and we got it open. Nicholson says that these bridges are prone to ^Óintermittent stiffness^Ô [a problem I have encountered myself since I turned sixty :-)]. We were annoyed to find that a glorious mooring with bollards by Bridge 195 was occupied by teenage boys swinging their legs in the water and abusing passing boats ^Ö decided against insisting that they move in case of possible retribution! Ended up moored against concrete piling with the stern sticking out. Even more irritated when some other youngsters in a narrowboat (presumably Daddy^Òs), who had mounted a huge loudspeaker on the roof, moored about 50 yards from us and proceeded to subject everybody within two miles to their taste in music. Mercifully they moved off after about an hour having got no response from us. Tuesday morning we found a BW barge blocking the canal ^Ö apparently the little darlings have cast it off for the last three nights in succession. Re-moored it and proceeded on our way. Stopped at Puffer Parts for a long chat with Ian, the amiable proprietor, and passed ^ÓJemima D^Ô moored there. We met the legendary Barry at Bingley Five-Rise. Filled him up with tea and he showed us his scrapbook of ^ÓAdder", his 1922 Saltley-built Josher, and gave me a guided tour of the flight. Needless to say we flew down under his tutelage. Moored at Saltaire and had a look at the town, concept of Sir Titus Salt, but decided to move on as the rings are so placed that our lines stretched halfway across the towpath to the delight of the local schoolboys who jumped on them. The obligatory fisherman was on the only spot where you can stop for Oddies Swing Bridge (Close Season ^Ö what Close Season?) Am I getting to be a ^ÓGrumpy Old Man^Ô? We pressed on and found an excellent mooring just before Buck Hill Bridge. Intended to go only a short distance next day prior to an early morning dash into Leeds but, initially lured on by talk of a secure mooring at Kirkstall, we were eventually persuaded by Ian at Newlay Locks that it was quite safe to go straight on into Leeds. We duly arrived there mid-afternoon without incident (although there is a car in the canal on this stretch!) and moored in the basin. Only problems were at the Newlay flight where we got slightly hung up at the bow (cured by quick action) and nearly left the dog behind! We *really* like Leeds. We are on a safe, quiet mooring at Granary Wharf with the option of another down by the Armoury Museum. The town centre is five minutes away and a splendid wine warehouse about 100 yards (hic). Tomorrow we set off down the Aire and Calder so I am sending this trip report whilst we still have a strong signal on the mobile. Regards to all, Trevor - nb "Lady Elgar"