Post by pǝʇɹǝʌuı on Nov 4, 2016 16:40:09 GMT
Well, we made it back in one piece, no crashes or shipwrecks and almost got a suntan!
The weather was fantastic for November, you could be forgiven for thinking it was late August had it not been for the autumn leaves.
We had some great views, fought a few recalcitrant locks and sampled some great local food and ales (as well as the Laphroaig, which is all but finished, hic!) We also met some thoroughly decent people, which was nice.
We hired a boat from Hapton Valley boats at Reedley Marina, who are now part of the ABC group. The boat was virtually brand new and handled beautifully - the engine had only just done 85 hours when we took it back
Obviously, as total newcomers to this boat lark we made the most of the tuition included. Alistair, the very kind chap who showed us around the boat on the first day came out on the second morning to show us the ropes with the locks at Barrowford, some of which are in a pretty poor state. One lock in particular (46 I think) had damage to both anti vandal locks rendering the gate paddles unusable and only one of the ground paddles worked. Two of the other locks had one of the gate paddles marked as out of order. Apparently, these are being repaired over the next few weeks.
We then went through the tunnel at Foulridge (didn't see any cows) and moored up for the night at The Anchor Inn at Salterforth - well worth a visit, in fact it was so good that we went back the following night
The next day, we took a gentle cruise up to Greenberfield Locks,turned winded the boat and headed back to Salterforth.
Thursday saw us head back through the Foulridge tunnel and back down the locks at Barrowford, where we moored up for the night. We had a lovely meal at the George & Dragon at Barrowford and returned to the boat for an early start the following morning.
This morning, we sadly returned the boat (We did think about sailing off into the sunset with it) then made our way home.
The chaps we dealt with at Reedley Marina (Lee and Alistair) were very helpful and patiently answered all our questions. We are already thinking about booking again next year for a longer break.
Anyway, must be time for some photos...
The weather was fantastic for November, you could be forgiven for thinking it was late August had it not been for the autumn leaves.
We had some great views, fought a few recalcitrant locks and sampled some great local food and ales (as well as the Laphroaig, which is all but finished, hic!) We also met some thoroughly decent people, which was nice.
We hired a boat from Hapton Valley boats at Reedley Marina, who are now part of the ABC group. The boat was virtually brand new and handled beautifully - the engine had only just done 85 hours when we took it back
Obviously, as total newcomers to this boat lark we made the most of the tuition included. Alistair, the very kind chap who showed us around the boat on the first day came out on the second morning to show us the ropes with the locks at Barrowford, some of which are in a pretty poor state. One lock in particular (46 I think) had damage to both anti vandal locks rendering the gate paddles unusable and only one of the ground paddles worked. Two of the other locks had one of the gate paddles marked as out of order. Apparently, these are being repaired over the next few weeks.
We then went through the tunnel at Foulridge (didn't see any cows) and moored up for the night at The Anchor Inn at Salterforth - well worth a visit, in fact it was so good that we went back the following night
The next day, we took a gentle cruise up to Greenberfield Locks,
Thursday saw us head back through the Foulridge tunnel and back down the locks at Barrowford, where we moored up for the night. We had a lovely meal at the George & Dragon at Barrowford and returned to the boat for an early start the following morning.
This morning, we sadly returned the boat (We did think about sailing off into the sunset with it) then made our way home.
The chaps we dealt with at Reedley Marina (Lee and Alistair) were very helpful and patiently answered all our questions. We are already thinking about booking again next year for a longer break.
Anyway, must be time for some photos...