Hebden Bridge to Walsden

We are so glad we decided to do the Rochdale, even though there are a lot of locks the scenery is superb. Even though a road and railway follows us all the way and it is quite built up in places, you still get the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere. We stopped off at Todmorden for lunch, but decided to move on as we had read about a brilliant chippy that had been in the same family for 90 years, unfortunately they close at 3.30 and we got there at 5.00, but fortunately the Cross Keys Inn at Walsden was opposite our moorings and the food was fantastic. Which we well deserved after completing 20 locks today, all at an average of 10 ft deep.

Leaving Hebden Bridge

 

The guillotine lock at Todmorden

A blue brick retaining wall, known as the Great Wall of Tod

Railway bridge at Gauxholme

Coming into Walsden

Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge

We had originally booked our passage onto the Rochdale Canal for 8.30 Monday morning, our friend Dave arrived today to help us all week, as he arrived quite early and it wasn’t too busy the lock keeper let us through . We thought Bath lock was the deepest at 19 ft, but Tuel Lane lock is the deepest at 20 ft, but this one is manned and we did the Bath lock ourselves. We completed 7 locks today to get us to Hebden Bridge, only another 85 locks to go.

The approach to Tuel Lane lock through a tunnel

Tuel Lane Lock

Still climbing, the scenery is very impressive

Took a stroll around Hebden Bridge, very picturesque with unique shops

Moored for the night at Hebden Bridge

Cromwell Bottom to Sowerby Bridge

A mixture of sunshine and cloud today, but a very pleasant cruise through Calderdale. On one side we were low in cuttings and on the other we were high up on embankments, as we wound our way along the hillside. The Calder & Hebble now completed as we arrive at Sowerby Bridge. We took on diesel at Shire Cruisers ready for the start of the Rochdale.

Park Nook Lock

Woodside Mills Lock

Approaching our first Guillotine lock at Salterhebble

Entering the lock, can’t say I enjoyed the experience.

Middle and top lock at Salterhebble

Manchester to Bradford railway

Moored for the night at Sowerby Bridge basin

Cooper Bridge to Cromwell Bottom

Another glorious day, the river cruising was spectacular and the canal sections very interesting. Stopped at services at Brighouse and made use of the canal side moorings for Sainsbury’s. A fairly gentle day, doing 7 locks. Even though we had been told we didn’t need a hand spike we are glad we managed to get one as on a few of the locks that was the only means to open the paddles.

Leaving Cooper Bridge, the Huddersfield Canal to the left and Sowerby Bridge to the right

Another reminder of the past. A pulley at Kirklees Lock.

Waiting to go up Kirklees Lock

Passing under the M62

Top lock at Brighouse

The plaque on the bridge is Leeds Steel Works Builders 1895

The hand spike in action again. The only way to lower the paddle is to pull it out and the paddle drops !!

Nice moorings for the night at Cromwell Bottom

Calder Grove to Cooper Bridge

A beautiful summer’s day, blue skies and sunshine all the way. We have cruised alternating between canal and river today. The gentle navigation of a broad canal and then suddenly wide expanse of river. The locks have been climbing steadily since we left Leeds, doing a total of 10 locks today. We stopped for lunch and a shop at Mirfield, then cruised a little further on to Cooper Bridge.

Setting off this morning from Calder Grove

Horbury Bridge

Millbank Lock

Lodge Farm Bridge

Thornhill Double Locks

On the river section at Ravensthorpe

Greenwood Lock

Making use of the hand spike we had to purchase

Moored for the night at Cooper Bridge Flood Lock

Stanley Ferry to Calder Grove

Left Stanley Ferry this morning with a quick stop at the services by Ramsden’s Swing Bridge. A pleasant morning cruise in the sunshine towards Wakefield, where we had a short stay for lunch and a run to the shops. We are now on the Calder and Hebble, having completed 3 locks, moored for the night at Broad Cut visitors moorings at Calder Grove.

Broadreach Flood Lock

 

Fall Ing Lock, the start of the Calder and Hebble

Moored for lunch in Wakefield

Wakefield Flood Lock

Wakefield Warehouse

Leeds to London railway, locally known as 99 arches

Yet another different paddle gear. Both ground paddles located in the one unit.

Moored for the night at Calder Grove