A plan hatched for Calder locks

2 October - Elland Lock to Thornhill Double Lock visitor moorings

Up and away by 8.30 after mooring outside Collier Arms. Not too noisy over night. We are back to 2 boats having been left behind last night by Quaintrelle and the solo guy who are on missions.
We carried on down the Calder & Hebble taking each lock as it comes today and also share the driving and lock opening (stupid spike paddles we will be glad to see the back of them, thought the Rochdale was hard).

 A beautiful fresh morning with a gorgeous mist

 First lock of the day and we are off

All locks fitted two boats - 54 and 57 but a plan had to be hatched. Grumble would exit first because the gate in front of Albert could not swing past the bow. This is with his rudder hard across and backed up to the cill at the other end. To get him out the skipper on Grumble stops in the gate and pulls the bow line so the bow swing past the end of the gate and Albert comes out on an angle.

After awhile some of the locks got larger and not problem but the paddle gear was random. You needed to take winder and the spike when you approach them.

Open flood gates and under motorways

Today cruising has been through some spectacular scenery with some of it on the River Hebble and some on the canal. There are weirs to avoid and flood lock gates to go through. We finally moored up at 5pm below Thornhill Double lock on visitors moorings - a big day but caught up with ourselves.

 Our mooring for the night

TOTAL - 10 miles and 14 locks