Monday 24 April 2017

Up the Huddersfield

 

IMG_2528We pulled pins just before the Dunksfield junction at 07.50 and turned right onto The Huddersfield canal . Turning left would have taken us along the Ashton canal and in to Manchester .

IMG_2533Another first for us as we travel underneath a Supermarket.

IMG_2535In to the first lock of The Huddersfield narrow canal and we soon got an insight in to how hard it would be to lock through this canal . The Huddersfield narrow canal runs just under 20 miles (32 km) from Lock 1E  near Aspley Basin in Huddersfield, to the junction with the Ashton Canal at Whitelands Basin in Ashton-under-Lyne. It crosses the Pennines by means of 74 (bloody) hard locks and the Standedge Tunnel.

IMG_2561We had already been told by Canal and River Trust workers and local boaters to get through Staylebridge as quick as possible due to anti boat behaviour.

IMG_2543To be honest as we past through at great haste all the locals seemed friendly enough ,but at every lock landing  through the town there was broken glass ,beer cans and used needles . It also made it impossible for us to let Hamish off the boat during our cruise through the town . Such a shame as there looked to be several good mooring spots .

IMG_2545You can tell by the sides of this lock that it’s not very well used . From what we have been told there are very few boaters that use this canal . We are now slowly but surely finding out why this is such an under used waterway.

IMG_2546At the top end of Staylebridge we cruised past the Wooden Canal Society's wharf.

IMG_2551This is a first for us . We have never travelled between the legs of a pylon before. We even had the pleasure of a Goose flying over us at the same time.

IMG_2564We then picked up this mooring for the night which is next to the srvices above Staylebridge . We were told to not stop before we reached this as we would still be in Bandit country.

IMG_2571 Being on the main flight path in to Manchester Airport we enjoyed watching the planes passsing overhead . We will now have a night here before moving up and hopefully picking up a mooring at Uppermill on Saddleworth moor.                                                                                                      

                                                                                                Happy Days

9 comments:

  1. some good pictures but nothing picturesque x

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    1. Some might say that Pylon was picturesque...

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  2. What happened to the blog about the Marple fight then!

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  3. Right again Gary, there are people who study and eulogise about pylons. Tina told me this a couple of years ago, since when she has branded herself as a "pylon spotter". It takes all sorts!! The notoriety of the area is deserved, so you'll be right to heed advice. Let us all know how you get on with Standedge; some say it's tricky but worthwhile. Your view will be welcomed. Cheers.

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  4. Hi Jack and Tina .. Funny because Carolyn will never let us moor below or very close to a pylon . Shame about not being able to stop in Staylebridge, maybe it's time something was sorted to allow boaters to safely stop there .. We will contact you soon for advice regarding mooring around Wigan and doing the famous Wigan flight ....

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  5. Hi Gary, we loved the Huddersfield - apart from Stalybridge down to the Ashton. Uppermill was where we had to find a taxi to take us to the vet to get a fishing hook out of Meg's mouth! Some fantastic views but not extensive mooring opportunities ...
    Are you going up the Rochdale? If so check out the fish and chips at Grandma Pollard's, you can sit in a bus overlooking the canal, it's great
    Debby

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    1. Hi Debby , apart from the hard work we are enjoying the scenery . We are then heading to Leeds and over the L&l to Liverpool , then up on the ribble to the Lancaster canal ...I must admit I do like Fish and chips and will have to make a point of visiting Grandma Pollards !

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  6. It was at the mooring by the services that we experienced problems with kids throwing stones (a group of schoolgirls - one even in uniform!) We rang the police who came to see us and suggested that we move on. We said no we weren't going to let them beat us! The came back the following day to say that they'd found the girls (recognised by a group one of which was wearing bright pink) and the police had visited their homes and their school. They then suggested it was ok to stay and again we said no, it was time to leave!
    It's a hard canal to do but worth it just to say you've done it and some of the scenery really is breathtaking!.

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    1. Hi Carol .. We were a bit put off at the service moorings when we saw a burnt out motorbike next to the Elsan . Luckily we had a good night with no problems .. As you say once we gave done it we probably will never do it again ...

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