Avast Behind

Several boats have passed by today, two of them hireboats climbing towards the summit. They will probably be returning tomorrow as it's usual for the boats that have to be back in Sowerby Bridge on a Saturday to not go much past Walsden before making the turn for the downward trip. Wednesday sees a regular parade of boats going up, Thursday sees them heading back towards Hebden Bridge.

A surprise today, though. The first Claymoore Navigations boat we've seen in ages. Their bright yellow livery is unmistakeable, as are the bridge bars welded to the bow. It's good to see so many boats coming past, even if at speed, simply because the more boats that use the Rochdale canal the better. The locks will be kept working and the maintenance will seem more necessary as more boaters travel up this 'Everest of canals'. A rather bedraggled crew on a Shepley Bridge boat 'Imogen' wanted to stop to have a pump-out. Unfortunate for them as the nearest facilities are still a few miles and six locks away. I opened the side hatch, feeling like the bird in a cuckoo clock, as they inched past to confirm their fears that this was nota full-service marina. Ah well, I'm sure that they will find the help they require, or else learn to tie up for the night near a pub so that their loos get the majority of their patronage.

It's cold, rainy and windy today, I wouldn't be out boating unless I had to. Fortunately I don't. It's a luxury, I know, living on a boat, you don't feel impelled to travel unless you really want to. And in foul weather, I certainly don't want to.