After the excitement of the tunnel transit we had to now knuckle down and descend from the heights down to Slaithwaite (or Slough'it as it is pronounced locally). This involved 21 locks in about 3 miles. The good thing was that there were three of us we could work ahead. The locks are named East on this side of the Pennines.
We had been told at Marsden that lock 31E was locked as tgeree had been a bit of a collapse behind the lock wall on one side. The lock was working but as there was still a large hole there a C&RT official had to work it for you. Actually they unlocked the padlock and I worked the gates and paddles!
Lock 35E is in a wooded valley with the River Colne that stays very close all the way to Huddersfield. The tow path is busy with walkers and bikers all the way too. The locks are spaced a nice walk between so it was good for one to walk ahead and set the locks so that good progress could be made.
The canal passes right by the Spath Reservoir and as we lowered down the lock there were two ladies swimming in the reservoir. I had heard that wild swimming had got popular and I was pleased to see that they weren't naked but it is the water that they swim in is wild! The valley side and the cottages make this a lovely spot.
We had been told at Marsden that lock 31E was locked as tgeree had been a bit of a collapse behind the lock wall on one side. The lock was working but as there was still a large hole there a C&RT official had to work it for you. Actually they unlocked the padlock and I worked the gates and paddles!
The canal is not wide and not deep but it is very scenic. The valley has plenty of old mills and lovely wooded valley sides, especially with the colours of autumn.
After leaving Lock 31E we were finding that all the bottom gates of the locks were left open. I thought that there was a single hander ahead so was a little mollified but reckoned that you should ask before you get others to do work for you. Anyway We finally caught up with the boat ahead at the guillotine lock at Slaithwaite. It turns out that the Lockie at 31E told them that there was a boat coming up so leave the gates for them. When we arrived at 31E he did say to me that he thought that we were coming up!
Chris wrapped up nearly as much as Helen at the helm. There was a bit of a wind that when you weren't trudging the towpath did tend to get you cold.
Helen checking that Chris was doing it right.
Despite the heaviness of some lock gates I much prefer them, even a broad beam lock, to winding this guillotine gate up and down.
The canal runs in a narrow trough next to the main road through Slaithwaite and the road tunnels are very low. The Globe Worsted Mill on the left has been saved and is to become an innovation centre.
After tying up we went for a walk round the town. We were a little late so many of the more individual shops, like Blackburn's, the Gents Tailors and Grange and Sons the butcher and pie shop were both closed. We did get to look round the Emporium which had several sections of different types of shops within it. It is well worth a look. We were going out for a meal but in the end decided on a take away that filled us up fit to bust. We were half way down and broken the back of the descent into Yorkshire.
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