We set off after say Goodbye to our friends Colin & Carol on The Wool Boat. Just before lunch we had to moor up behind several boats as the Snaysgill swing bridge was refusing to move. The CRT soon got to work and about 20 boats were then on the move. We passed the memorial to five polish airmen whose plane had come down alongside the canal, through the villages of Bradley and Silesdon with its lovely colourful canalside gardens and moored up just beyond Kildwick looking down into the valley.
The following day we progressed further although it was cold, blustery and raining. Down to Riddlesden, a part of Keighley.
Saturday saw us visiting East Riddlesden Hall NT property and discovering the local butcher Ian Hewitt, post office, Coop and bus stop (10 minute service to town) all within a 5 minute walk. The butcher was displaying a page from the Guardian featuring his sponsorship of local girl Rebekah Tiley. She managed 10th place in the Olympic weightlifting event.
Sunday was a totally indulgent day for Tony. The Worth Valley Steam Railway were running vintage steam trains so we spent the day travelling in a variety of carriages (I recommend the First Class at a supplement of £3) and a double decker vintage bus through the valley to Bronte Country and beyond. We also had afternoon tea, Ritz style, in a pullman carriage. I have to confess I enjoyed it. As we returned in the late afternoon we were welcomed by a brass band playing on the platform. An excellent ending to a very enjoyable day.
The 23rd saw the visit from the boatbuilder to bring outstanding items and Radio Leeds doing a programme to celebrate 200th anniversary of the L & L Canal. The producers husband and boys visited and went away talking of buying a boat!!!!!
Wednesday we picked up a hire car and went off to Bolton Abbey (Thank you for the suggestion Peter). We walked almost the length of the valley visiting the Priory on a beautiful afternoon. Families were picnicing and barbecuing and paddling in the river. This is part of the Estate of the Duke of Devonshire and well worth a visit. As we were passing through Keighley on our way back to Matilda we noticed the cinema was showing Swallows and Amazons so we bought our tickets. The audience seemed to be of a similar vintage who had grown up with Arthur Ransomes books and many had brought their grandchildren. It was charming movie, adventure, competition, misfortune and spies, where the good guys triumph. I just loved the costumes and hand knitted jumpers! And on the film we saw the carriages that we had sat in on the Worth Valley railway.
Thursday we attended a Bramley family funeral in Nottingham.
Friday we were on the move again. This time to drive to Rotherham to collect 40 stone of ballast to adjust the tilt of Matilda, probably from launch. Each piece of lead weighed 9lbs and we had to move them 5 times! (into car, car to wall, under railings, onto boat, position on boat). Success though, and the boat is now level.
We had to return the hire car by noon: we made it at 11.58.
And then we sailed on to Bingley…….