Psychalist

Certainly a joke but not very funny. The locals that get held up complain bitterly. Apparently all because there's talk of a new housing estate - not sure if it's true but it won't work unless automated. Someone told us 80 turns of the various wheels, we lost count. As for the on-site 'safety crew', that's pitiful. A woman who sits in a van all day with the engine running and is only able to advise (reluctantly) and not actually touch anything. Blood and boil come to mind. No booking for Newlay or Kirkstall (August). Newlay lockie turns up early (07:30) and closes early (before 4pm) but provides harrowing tales of county-lines and other such criminal activity. We did see a electric motorbikes ridden by hoodies after dark. Abbey Inn is worth a look, Kirkstall Ales and other local brews.

Or the Alehouse. Unfortunately the Polished Knob isn't open Thursday but a good shout if you're there Friday.

Riddlesden is quiet enough but, if you walk a bit, most things are in reach. Closest pub would be the Marquis of Granby and there is a good fish and chip shop too, but Keighley and its delights are only a 1.5 mile walk away. At Kildwick, as well as the already mentioned excellent White Lion (book ahead if you are eating), there is a co-op and brewery tap at Crosshills. After that you've got Skipton and all you need but anywhere between is fine for mooring. It's worth noting, Silsden is good but can be tricky to moor because of the hire base and there is nothing in the centre. If you stop there, it will probably be on the towpath side (left) as you are leaving. Mooring before the centre is possible but the verge is thin and towpath close. Silsden has co-op, Aldi and number of pubs eateries and chip shop. Good luck with Grange swing bridge.

Agree on identifying source so it can be rectified, so starting with it dried out is essential to achieve this. It could be the stern gland needs tightening. There should be some resistance when turning the prop shaft. It should turn freely but with some resistance but if you can more or less spin it, the shaft could be drawing in water whilst underway. This is less easy to check but the signs would be splashes rather than drips due to the shaft throwing the drips on the sides and other parts of the engine bay. Surely checking your weed hatch would be a routine check given the amount of weed you've encountered? On our boat we can easily lose 1mph with weed and detritus that is bound on the shaft and that cannot be removed by reverse thrust. You need all your power for forward motion not losing it by friction or dragging weed.

Neil doesn't visit here any more. Last seen this summer heading west to Lancashire. Maybe you could intercept him.

Royal Oak. It's not on the canal so a walk is involved.

If you need solar, you're better up by the wharf. A lot of overstaying there including a space 'reserved' for an ice cream boat when we were there in May, so best to pull in before the pontoon. You can always moor on pins before that, which would be my preference, though there's usually space down by the tunnel and it was a lot cleaner there than previously.

Not confusing it with dog walking? Now that would be something, overflowing bins of bagged human waste! Won't be long before dog bins are flagged up for excess plastic bags needing an environmentally friendly alternative.

Going up Bingley happens after first boats down, so if you're ready at the bottom after about 9:30 the lockies will start you up before 10am and you'll be at the top not long after 11am. Narrow boats will be paired, the first waiting for another or 11am, whichever comes first. You obviously like long days at the tiller, cruising at night or your boat swims fast. Seems a tad ambitious to me. We've just done some of this route and your days are roughly two if ours. We feel we've been rushing doing 6-8 hour days. Canal pan can't factor in all the swing bridges (188 and 195 particularly troublesome). Rather than Barrowford, Try Foulridge - not much difference distance wise, but more choice of beer (which I'm sensing is part and parcel of the trip). There, the social club is worth a look, friendly welcome and local Reedley Hallows ales on hand pump. Mooring in Burnley is Ok at Finsley Gate (offside and locked at night, and also bar closes early some week nights ) but only room for ~3 boats. After that, Rose Grove is ok, again offside. I'd skip Eanam Wharf and plan to do the Blackburn six to moor the other side. Cherry Tree is nicer and a choice of pubs. Riley Green perhaps better if you want food. Unfortunately Blackburn is a bit of a desert in that respect apart from 'spoons. Top Lock at Wheelton was closed awaiting new tenant - maybe in now, so worth checking, otherwise Malt House Farm after bottom lock is Ok and you can moor there. Adlington is a good spot to moor. West, there is a good grocers and on the main road to the east there are a number of places to eat and drink.

True, but at least going up you can have done a decent day's cruise before resting in Granary Wharf. It's slower going up to Newlay, but faster down from there, so if you get the first lock down you'll be in Granary Wharf in time for coffee and lunch, only getting on the river after 1pm. It's worth stopping overnight either way - there's no point rushing (or planning too much either, levels rise, locks close etc.) Have the knowledge and prepare to be flexible.

Apparently so. Looked ok to us too during the day. All manner of joggers, commuters, dog walkers and cyclists. It changes in the evening when they've all gone home. Then you may see hoodies and balaclava clad youths who race around on electric motor bikes. Lockie said something about 'county lines' and other worrying tales. Don't be put off though, I don't think their mischief or business includes boats, though I think the idea is to not create any opportunity, as with most crimes. Thanks for the link to the news about weed collectors. I'm looking forward to seeing them. Certain bends around Burnley and Nelson are particularly bad for weed accumulating rubbish, so one ends up not so much with a prop foul but grinding to a halt because of what's on the bow. Again, don't let that put anyone off as there's still plenty of pleasurable canal to be had.

Interestingly we got different stories from two lock keepers. One said he'd open up early, about 12:30 so boats waiting to get up from the river could make Newlay in time. As it was, a different keeper turned up and opened at 1pm with the view that it wasn't possible to make Newlay in time. Given the weed and going against the flow, the latter is more likely.

Granary Wharf is best bet and usually plenty of space. Quite a reasonable vibe with bars but gets quiet after about 8pm .Above Office lock to Newlay is advised against (by lock keepers) for mooring overnight. Newlay shuts at 4pm and River lock is open 1-3pm ...oh and to add, there is little chance of mooring in Leeds (Clarence) Dock with only 4 spaces. Worth timing it so you have a choice to get up River Lock if there isn't space. Walk over by the Royal Armouries whilst doing Leeds Lock to check if there's space as the turn is tight and it is worth avoiding the river taxis.

Send them north, in the interest of levelling up 😀

Weed collecting machines are few and far between. Mainly men with rakes in action currently.