Main Menu
NB Dawn
Friends day out - Gargrave to Kildwick - July 2011
We started today at the bottom of the Gargrave flight of the locks. As going down the locks would take an hour or so would not be very interesting for our visitors. We left the cars in Gargrave and walked along the canal to the boat. Everybody brought something for a shared lunch. Select any picture to see it full size. These have all been taken by Ken Smith.
Inside the boat.
When everybody was on board and settled down, we pulled up the ropes, and cast off.
Robert untying the ropes.
The boat pulling away from the bank.
Robert at the Helm.
The first corner! and catching up with dog walkers, at max speed of 3 mph, its hard to catch up with any one.
Robert took the helm and steered the boat. The others helped to open your swing bridge and to hold the ropes to keep the boat near to the bank for those opening and closing the swing bridges to get back on.
Jump! Jump!
Two bridge operators, getting of the boat, while Robert holds the boat close to the bank for them. They have to walk along the towingpath, and cross the swing bridge. Unlock it, and swing it open, this is usualy more difficult than it sounds, as it can some times be very heavy and the pivot could some time needs a bit more grease, like a whole bucket full. Once it starts, it can be some times be difficult to stop. If it runs in to the rubber stops, it can bounce back and nearly close it self again.
Once the bridge is open, we can cast of the ropes, and take the boat through the bridge and moor up again, to await the bridge operators, who have to close the swingbridge and relock it up. Walk back across the bridge and re-bored the boat.
We then have to push the boat off.
Half way to Skipton, just completed the first swingbridge.
Watching the world go by. Two boats coming towards us.
Others on the boat are taking it easy and watching the world go by .
Passing moored boats - I see three ships.
Another swingbridge
OK all together PUSH
We stopped in Skipton fore lunch, the most we have had on the boat to eat at once, good job we where eatingm alot of finger food, as it was, we only just had enough cutlery? Must buy some more.
I think this clearing up? all hands to the sink.
After lunch we went to Kildwick, which entailed going to through some more swing bridges.
This on the way from Skipton to Kildwick, passing one of the Blue Bell Woods.
We had all had a pleasant day and had been very lucky with know whether show some of us celebrated with a fish and chip supper.
Notes on progress. Structures we go through Swing Bridges - Lost count, many.
Places we go by Skipton Kildwick
the continuing story.