3 locks at Salterhebble.

Leaving Salterhebble top lock.

In Tuel deep lock at Sowerby Bridge.

We stopped at Sowerby Bridge for diesel, pump out and water. The water did not taste very nice despite the filter in the boat so we ended up with bottled water until it had gone. This is only a couple of days as with us all showering and Ellie using our shower because she preferred it to the one on Melora we got through water at an alarming rate.

At the last lock before Hebden Bridge Ben was running down the canal side and decided it would be a good idea to jump the balance beam - - it was not! He ended up breaking his ankle and had to leave the boat with his Mum. A couple of days later his Dad also left us which meant a change of crew for Melora. Trevor came up and took her back the last leg of the trip.

We spent 2 days at Hebden Bridge, we had to moor at Bronte Boats mooring as there was little space. Although the moorings in Hebden Bridge are only 48hrs there were boats there that had obviously been there some time. This could have been because they were trapped and could not traverse the summit because of lack of water.

It seems Meg has found a friend at Hebden Bridge.

Going back down some of the lock gates were quite leaky. With Meg being 50ft it meant I was quite close to the cill and got wet on a couple of occasions. So when the rain was not wetting me the locks were :-)

A 57ft boat is supposed to be able to navigate the Rochdale but I think it would be tight in some of the locks and certainly would mean being diagonally across the lock.

Coming back we spent the night at the visitor moorings at Salterhebble.

As we came back we saw a narrowboat that had met it's watery end near the Navigation Pub

I must admit to feeling sorry for the unfortunate owner. it must be an awful thing to happen.

Back on the Aire and Calder with lovely blue sky.

Approaching Castleford Junction

We arrived back on the Friday but I stayed aboard for the bank holiday weekend and repainted all the rubbing strakes and patched the bits of paint that had been damaged by having to run without fenders.