Another scorching hot day, even if the forecasters promised a degree or so off yesterday's record Bank Holiday. As we are not expecting it to be easy to find food shops closer to the canal for several days, Mike and Andrew called at Lidl at 8 am. After all, it was right next to the towpath where we moored overnight! Our haul included a couple of instant BBQ sets (2 for £1.99!) which we plan to try out this evening so long as we moor somewhere reasonable for that.
Soon after setting off we arrived at Shepley Lock. Yesterday we had been attempting to remember the 'other' very short lock and each one we came to turned out not to be it, despite confident expectations! Shepley turned out to be 'it'. Even so, we care we had a comfortable amount of spare between the stern and the cill. Deeper locks are a but easier in that once the cill has clearly emerged from the water then there is a reference point for where to keep the boat. Quite a few locks are shallower an the cill does not emerge so we have to keep alert until the gates are ready to open.
We seemed to pass under more former railway bridges today then is usual. In the earlier part of the morning this was to result of the huge industrial area at Thornhill - power station (which closed in early 1980's), iron and steel works and, across the river, a large coal mine at Healey. Coal was delivered to the power station up until its closure. On our last trip past here in 2017 we took a photo photo of the unloading wharf but this time we have found picture of the last times that it was used. Also looking at older maps we could see several different main lines, a number of interconnections and a huge set of sidings.
Just below Double Locks is the junction with the short Dewsbury Arm.
This disused railway bridge is today called Midland Bridge, probably because it carried a branch line just a short distance from Midland Junction - but we have not found out why that name came about.
The elegant Lady Anne Bridge was built by Thornhill Urban District Council to carry a new bridleway, part of improvements to replace a former river ferry. More details here and here.
The two Figure of Three Locks are named after a distinctive set of bends in the adjacent river that were said to resemble a figure Three.
A boat was already waiting and filling the Upper Broad Cut lock. Elsewhere on this canal this would have meant a wait to turn the lock as we are unable to share. However, this one is a somewhat longer and the other boat was fairly short so we could go through together. They then moored outside a popular pub below the lock - just as well as the short length returned for most of the remainder of the canal.
And finally to Thornes Lock, the last Calder and Hebble. This took some time to fill as it was leaking at the bottom almost as fast as it could fill itself.
We had some good river sections ahead - this long railway viaduct, now carrying an electrified main line, is a sign that we would soon be at Wakefield. Strangely for such an impressive structure - which continues some way to the left, has no obvious name.
Much of the older industrial area alongside the entrance to Wakefield Cut has been redeveloped. Time to spot the entrance.
OK, so we found that, but no sooner had we turned in but we were faced with a larger boat that seemed to freeze to the spot not sure where to go!
As we entered into the huge Broadreach Flood Lock (open at both ends when not in flood) we could see a large group of youngsters enjoying the sunshine - and blithely ignoring the No Swimming sign right beside them. When they saw us most became oddly camera shy but a couple of lads were stranded on the ledge on the bridge. We were glad to get by without incident, concerned that they might try and dive in, right in front of us . . .
We stopped at the service block just before the replacement swing bridge, installed after we last passed this way. A couple of local boat residents (they know nb Ellis well) warned us that it need quite a strong push o close properly and if kit is not latched then kit tends to swing open. This is not popular with the many walkers that use this crossing regularly. They were also not keen on a boat that had been occupying the water point for a few days - we had to use the bridge operation area instead.
Stanley Ferry is also home to one of the main workshops that produce new lock gates for canals across the country.
Off again and now we were into the Key of Power area for three locks. Even with the boat well into the lock there is room for another in front of us. There are two control boxes, lone for each end. However, this confused some boaters arriving at the other end after we had started!
And the boats are getting bigger.
And bigger! The Swift is a converted historic Humber Barge. Interesting details of it are still on the broker's website (but alas may not be there for long as it is marked as SOLD). It must have had some paint work done as the stripe around the middle is now green but the photos show yellow.
We continued to Castleford Junction. Tomorrow we will need to turn left in the direction of Leeds (ahead in the photo) but for tonight we went straight ahead into Castleford Cut to find a safe mooring and a place where we could light our barbecues. There is a long length of Visitor Moorings but they must be very popular - but we did find a suitable space not far from the next lock.
The BBQ went very well and we enjoyed something different for a change. Several passing dogs being walked by their owners took an interest in the food but then decided not to risk their noses on the hot coals!
Despite being on a cut we are still on the river level - as Christine discovered when she came to shut the side windows to keep the midges etc out. The boat had dropped a little too far, so we had to loose off the lines for a moment.
18.6 Miles - 14 Locks
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