Well, today was not without excitement!
We set off from Lemonroyd marina, down the adjacent lock (15 feet deep) and set off further down the Aire and Calder Navigation with anchor at the ready and lifejackets on.
All peaceful and serene as we made our passage down to Castleford, notching up about 5mph!
Then, as we approached Castleford Junction ready to make a left hand turn into the flood lock, the VHF radio crackled and we heard a voice saying "there is a narrow boat coming down from Leeds, just lookout for it!" Then, slowly but very surely, the nose of a loaded sand barge appeared in front of us and moved out of the junction, and across our path on its way on to Whitwood Wharf. We slowed down and the barge, very low in the water, continued on its way from left to right across the front of us.
Although the lock traffic lightremained red, Bob used his VHF radio speak and we got confirmation that our passage was then clear to proceed on through.
We moored for lunch, completed our pumpout needs, and low and behold the flood lock trafficlightwent red and the same barge returned back through the flood lock, having deposited its load up stream. It was manoevred without a bow thruster and single handed, very impressive boat handling.
So we are now pressing the pause button folks, whilst we return home for a couple of weeks to have a rest!
Our cumulative totals are: 429miles and 274 locks = 2.75 lock miles an hour approx
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