Wednesday, and Chris and Mike took us to Eccleshall and the Industrial Museum. Brill. Some of the beam engines were working away, looked upstairs at the weaving sheds .Then there was a big part on printing, a section of old motor cars and vans, including a “Jowett sociable 3 wheeler”. That was a hoot as it had 2 wheels at the back and one on the front right hand side, and nowt on the front left hand side.  However, is was all very fascinating and I know of a few chums who would love to see all that stuff.

Thursday, and we watched  the England team try and play football,  on C and M’s big screenTV !!!!

Friday, we moved a little way along the canal to Saltaire, found a great mooring looking over a cricket pitch, and have ear marked it for a week-end stay-over next time we are this way.

Bit of walking and Finlay is playing us up by refusing to eat or drink. I think he is just being Finlay.

Saturday and C and M joined us for the trip up the Bingley three-rise and Bingley five-rise locks. Then we had to visit a boatyard, as we were leaking a bit of oil after Mick had done an oil and filter change. It turned out that when he took the old filter off, the rubber ring had stayed in place, so the fit was not quite right.

The bloke at the boatyard gave him a load of friendly Yorkshire stick about it, and suggested that maybe he ought to “stick to messin’ about  wi’ that looooovely garden you ‘ ave on top of boat”.

We moved up to Micklethwaite swing bridge for the night, where C and M were collecting us to go out to the Shama restaurant in Bingley.  Scrummy, yummy and possibly the best indian food ever. !

Micklethwaite Swing bridge . Years ago we had problems with this  bridge. It is on quite a busy small road, its an electric swing bridge that has a mind of its own, and drives the locals and boaters mad.

So, approach the control panel, and place key in slot and turn. Sirens start up, lights start flashing, but its down to the boater to physically close the 2 gates. These are heavy, and you must make sure that they click into place. Walk back to control panel and count to 10, then press button to open swing bridge. By this, time there are cars starting to arrive at the closed gates. Press the button to open, nothing happens. Quickly check that you have done it in the correct order. Nothing happens. More cars have turned up.  Ok, open the gates, let them go. Once you have a clear road, you can now start this palaver all over again.

Yesterday, we watched this poor old chap open and close the gates 4 times.  In the end Mick went to help, I went to help AFTER I had removed my hair rollers !  I approached the old chap’s wife, only to find that she was . in fact, an old lady passing by on her way to feed the ducks.  She had been inveigled in to holding his boat for him, whilst he attempted to get through the swing ridge. She thought it all quite exciting, holding boats, helping to close the gates, she was a tiny little thing and had to reach up to push the gates closed.  She had a marvellous sence of humour however, and we both got the giggles, as by this time this poor old bloke was al most on his knees. This blessed swing bridge would NOT open.  Then a bloke in the house nearby came out, and him and mick decided  there must be a slightly loose connection somewhere, and eventually they got lucky by just pressing and pressing different buttons. Eventually, the swingbridge SWUNG. !!!!   whey hey.  We got theold chap back on his boat( a birchwood plastic cruiser), closed  down the swingbridge and re-opened the gates for the umpteenth time.  Little old woman, went on her way to feed the ducks. We went back to Trundle. After a few minutes, we heard a feeble cry, and saw the old chap and his boat opposite us on the canal…………………….He had conked out. !!!!!

Anyway, he was drifting along gently and said he would throw us his rope , however  he was so knackered, Mick said it would be better if we lassoed him as he drifted past Trundle. We pulled him behind us, so that he could get off his boat. By which time, little old lady had returned and said “ oooh for gods’ sake, whatever is the matter now?”. I said that I thought  she was about to be put to use again, and indeed she was. Old chap asked her if she would help him pull his wee boat along to boatyard( they are very light, thankfully). I told her to hang out for a meal with wine as thanks for her help, wHich she seemed to find quite agreeable. Although she said she would go and get him some fish and chips if he was hungry. !!!  what a gal. !  I wander if love has blossomed ????

Sat night and we had an excellent meal at the Shama in Bingley with Chris and Mike. Leftovers for the next day.

Sunday am we realised that we could make the village of Bradley and its superb pub The Slaters Arms.  This is EVERYTHING a good village pub should be. Wonderful setting, very pretty and old fashioned pub inside. Friendly “Mine hosts”. Pricy beer at £3.55 a pint. Wine £4.60( large glass !!!). but the food is great and not expensive.  Twill be a visit every time we are this way, for sure.  Love it.

Monday and today we are moored in the heart of Skipton for a few days.  We will push off on Wednesday towards  Gargrave, and yet again we will miss the Ag. Show with ite Terrier Racing. Its not on until 14^th August.  Grhhhhhh.  

 View from our mooring at Saltaire. 

 Bradley and that great pub. 

 The Aire Valley