The Bingley locks (alongside the large Damart factory) have to be worked with the assistance of a lock keeper - a result of too many accidents by boaters (often using the locks after normal working hours) who did not know how to operate the staircases. We were told that at one stage, boat sinking was a regular occurrence - almost daily! The locks are each about 13 feet rise and the middle gates are truly awesome! The keepers maintain a very slow and steady pace through the locks so it was well after 10 am before we cleared the flight. From here the canal has no locks for some distance but is regularly interrupted by swing bridges - about a third are mechanised, each to a different design!
Mike had a tentative date to meet up with the chirman of an internet discussion group to which he has belonged for a number of years. Using a combination of email (which only worked from the roof of the boat) and mobile phone, it was arranged to meet near to Kildwick for a pub lunch. We did indeed make contact and Chris Wright (whom Mike had never actually met face to face!) joined us for the last section into the pub. The canalside hosteltry was welcoming and supplied us with most acceptable baguettes.
Time however pressed as we needed to make it into Skipton in time to some food shopping. The rain held off just for that period, returning with a vengeance as we moved across to a water point. As we had not fully filled the water tank for some days, we decided to shelter whilst taking quite a sizeable amount. Alas, the rain turned even heavier for the final section to find a mooring point, out into the countryside beyond the town. For the first time, the evening engine check revealed some wire and plastic bag remains around the prop which Andrew managed to cut free.
