POINT is - the L & L is now fully open for business again.
It must put a strain on boat yards and the like - cross peninie traffic effectively been on "stop" for over 6 months... none of the places we've called into has shown it though - always been as friendly and helpful as is the norm for "boaters"...
Whilst we've been holed up at Hapton, waiting for the stoppage to end, we've been on a couple of walks - the first being a wander along the towpath to Tesco Burnley to get some kitchen roll - ONLY to make the walk have a purpose...
It was a long way for 2 kitchen rolls - thank heavens we resisted any urges to buy gin!
The weather held out for most of it but on our return, just began to deteriorate and within minutes of climbing onboard, the heavens opened once more.
Following on from that walk, the next morning we went the other way and did a circular route - down the canal to Clayton Le Moors and then back along the roads. On our way, we bumped into Lady Teal (the proper posh Hotel boat) and had a little chat with the skipper as he waited at the swing bridge for the crew to alight - after that we stopped to eat a picnic lunch and then plodded on - perhaps regretting our route when we came accross a ford (not on our map) ...
We had to do a bit of a cross-country clamber to find our way around it but we manged to keep our feet dry - THIS being about the half way point and neither of us fancying another 4.5 miles with soggy toes.
NOT as long a walk as yesterday's, but still enough.
When we got back to the boat, going back to Burnley Re-opening ... it actually happened on Monday (17th ) afternoon - with the first boats coming passed us just before tea. We decided we'd hang back and depart the following morning... Having manged NOT to top up with water, we planned on stopping at Rose Grove services (where we'd noticed 4 boats all moored on /around the water point for 3 days so far) - it was inevitable when we got there, we'd need to brest up to access the services.
I'm not going to rant any more here - it's pointless ... suffice to say CRT need to grow some teeth and begin DEALING WITH THESE constant abusers!!!
AND before anyone has a moan at me, YES I have gotten the "back story" to 3 of the 4 boats living on the services block!!!!!
IT really was lovely to be chugging again in the sun... so we went on to Foulridge for the night and encountered yet MORE boats "living" on the short stay moorings - boats we'd seen there back in January... hey ho...
After a quiet night there, our next stop was Greenberfield (where we topped up the tank again) - having to wait for 3 boats ahead of us to go down... smashing to be chatting with MOVING boaters again...
A lot nicer journey down here than the last time (in January) we did it...
Stopping the night in Gargrave, it was so nice to see a pound full of boats... especially the Hire boaters as they bring the canal/town to life!
We left Gargrave yesterday morning and shared the locks and swing bridges down to Skipton with a Hire boat crew - they all had their roles and put many a "boat owner" to shame... enjoying the company it was almost a shame to go our separate ways.
Still, here we are in Skipton - mixed emotions for me this time as we were here when I got the phone call to say mum had died back in January... I probably sounds pathetic, but I've purposely NOT moored in the same spot.... they were very dark times and whilst I know we'll chug on in a few days, I want to "fall in love with Skipton" again first.
Until next time...
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