Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Aire and Calder Navigations, Calder and Hebble Navigations
The Crew were John Parmenter (Captain), David King, Adrian King, Dr. Martin Cranage, Steve Platt, Mike Newport, and Simon Gates. This was Simon's last trip, the male bonding, beer and great food proved too much for him and he moved onto better things.
This was a one-way trip in Cumberland from Shire Cruisers of Sowerby Bridge, perfect for the 7 crew and handled well on the river stretches. We started at Burnley, having been taken there in a minibus with all our gear and food, making our way to Sowerby Bridge via the Leeds and Liverpool, Aire and Calder Navigation, Aire and Calder Navigation (Wakefield Branch), then Calder and Hebble navigation. So a lot of river then, the size of some of the boats worried us somewhat I recall, especially in the locks, they are manned so actualy no problem at all, just follow the instructions of the Lockkeeper.
Later you will read that we have been twice more with Susan and Nigel Stephens, the owners of Shire Cruisers, we can recommend them to you without reservation.
Sowerby Bridge was the end of the navigation in 1994, the Rochdale was in water for some distance the other side of a blockage where a rebuilt road had filled in the canal. I remember that we all thought there was no chance of getting this obstruction moved for many years, if ever. How wrong we were.
Extracts from a letter homeBelow are some photographs from Adrian which I have only just found (end 2008) and scanned in, they are not in trip order.
Typical breakfast scene, notice the paper on the floor, we find that when raining this method works for keeping the floor dry. We always get at least 3 papers a day, this is another joy of the holiday, a chance to read the daily papers. WHITE BREAD noted.
Sagar Marine Ltd Brighouse Basin they build lovely looking Dutch Barges
That's a big bugger said John, notice how everybody is looking one way.
