Sowerby Bridge

Wednesday 09 July 2014 – Sowerby, Calder & Hebble Navigation

During the night we had another bout of heavy rain – the ground was soaked this morning.  First thing was a quick float across the canal to the Sanitary Station to top up with water, however the tap was so slow that only Graham did. I have enough and will fill later.  On the way out of Hebden Bridge we passed a boat called Sanity? (the fudge boat) and it reminded me of a couple of others with similar names!

The locks are well spaced out, the interest comes from the bridges – Falling Royd Bridge should really be called a tunnel – there is the usual tunnel warning notice about naked lights etc and the Halifax Road Bridge is a very sharp S-bend in the canal.  Once we had passed Edward Kilner Lock there was a long stretch until the locks in Sowerby.  Passage has to be booked 24 hours in advance for Tuesday to Thursday as it is operated by CRT staff.  When you go through it is easy to see why – the top lock (numbered 3 and 4) has a water level change of 19 ft 8 inches then leads straight into a tunnel.  There are two footbridges, one above the other, over the canal for the staff and the lock has new smooth concrete sides.  The tunnel has a curve but is well lit and leads into the pound above lock 2 where boats can pass.  Lock 2 has a drop of 10ft 4 inch and lock 1 is 8ft 8inch giving a drop of 38 ft over just a few yards but not close enough to be a staircase.  We have moored up ready to continue on down the valley which has begun to open out giving views of agricultural land.

The weather has continued fine as we have had sunshine all day.