Trundlin'along

The Trials of Toby – Highland fighting dog. Mick and I reckon he’s losing it, however, he loves his owner John to a distraction. John leaves the boat, so does Toby, except the boat had moved away, so we watched as he disappeared into the water, lo and behold he re-appeared t’other side of canal amongst the long reeds, wagging his tail and having a shake . I gave him a home made biccy

Next, just as we are to start the first of the weird locks, where one uses a Hand spike to move the paddle gear. Toby, had been tied on by a short leash to keep him on the boat. John gets off, so does Toby, except this time he is tethered and starts to get strangled. Diana yelled and yelled for John to do something, but John and I were setting the lock, so Diana had to get off the boat( she got a bit wet !) to rescue Poor Toby. I gave him a home made biccy.

I hope there isn’t a third. The poor old boy has been through enough, I reckon.

We enjoyed the Calder and Hebble Canal. Todmorden was the best, Hebden Bridge, Sowerby Bridge, Brighouse were all nice towns.

But really looking forward to the L&L.

We arrived at a lock, and sadly, floating in the lock was a beautiful young fox. Not bloated, so I think he may have gone in that morning. As I opened the paddles, the force of water dragged him into the murky depths, and I watched as his little black paws disappeard into the gloom.

Now at Castleford, so today when we left the Calder and Hebble Navigation we joined the Aire and Calder navigation. Big and wide. 2 years ago when we were on it, it still had commercial traffic e.g gas barges, and gravel barges. Now they are all finished . Quite sad. Anyhow, this big wide waterway gives us a chance to give Trundle’s engine a change of pace. Se we did a bit of narrowboat “racing” with our temporary companions. Lot of fun. We managed to get about 5 to 6 mph. !!!!

Tomorrow it is the River Aire to Leeds and the armouries, where we will stay for a few days. . Once through Office Lock in Leeds, we will then be on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and making our way up t’top o Pennines. VERY VERY SLOWLY.

Note to Melva. NOTHING will ever compare to Fontilles. !!!!!!!

Calder and Hebble Hand spike