So its off to the Dales we go!!!

Thursday 30 July - Left Adlington and cruised on to Johnsons Locks.

Johnsons Locks

All the ground paddles on the towpath side were up, so we had to empty every lock.  We weren't sure if boaters had done this or if it had been carried out by CRT to let water down.  Had some lunch at the 'Top Lock ' pub which was very nice and then carried on to Riley Green, mooring up just before bridge 91A.  Took Nugget on a long walk and checked out the area.
Total travelling time - Adlington to Riley Green 5 hours

Shared lock with a fridge freezer!!

Friday 31 July - Early start, dry overcast day.
We had to share one of the Blackburn locks with a fridge freezer!!! The amount of litter and rubbish thrown in the canal is disappointing.  Stopped off at Rishton for some provisions.  (over the bridge and about 10 minutes up the hill is a Co-op).  Off we set again to finally moor up just  after Fosters swing bridge (115) with nice rural views and wide quiet towpath.  Went on a walk with Nugget in the lovely evening sunshine, which is rare at the moment. 
Travelling time Riley Green to br 115 -7 hours

Saturday 1 August - Cruised on to Rose Grove, a CRT point with clean toilets, elsan etc.  On the High Street there is a PO and a friendly butchers (can recommend the steak mince) and a couple of small convenience stores.  Martin and Andrea came to join us for the day.. pity about the weather as it poured down most of the day.  However as always with them, had a great time including a yummy lunch kindly provided by them..
 Cruised on to Brierfield where they caught the train back to Rose Grove for the car.  We carried on and moored at the bottom of Barrowford Locks.  It turned out quite a pleasant evening and had a good walk with Nugget.
Rose Grove  to Brierfield - cruising time 2.5 hours

Sunday 2 August -  Went up Barrowford Locks pretty smoothly (the CRT lady helped us up a couple).

Barrowford Locks

  Moored up at the visitor moorings at the top of the locks.   Walked to the other end of Foulridge Tunnel and had a delicious ice-cream from 'Café Cargo'.   It is a pleasant walk past a reservoir and through fields etc.
Bottom of Barrowford Locks to the top - visitor moorings - 2.75 hours  

Monday 3 August -   Set off to go  through Foulridge tunnel at 9.30am.  Takes 20 Minutes to go through and then cruised onto Barnoldswick to stop for some provisions and lunch.  While mooring up, stirred up a bike which nearly caught on the prop.  Chris removed the hazard from the canal. Barrowford to bottom of Greenberfield - 3.5 hours

More rubbish in the canal!!!

Tuesday 4 August - Chugged along to East Marton where we filled with water and then carried on, mooring up before bridge 64.  Went on a walk (approx. 4 miles) to East Marton hoping for a cuppa in the café there.  However it shut at 4pm and also the pub didn't open until 5.30pm, so headed back to Coventina.
Greenberfield Locks to before Bridge 164 1.5 hours

Wednesday 5 August - Went down Bank Newton Locks.  Was surprised to see 'Barry from Bingley Five Rise' working the locks.  Apparently he has been there approx. 3 months.  He and a volunteer helped us down as one of the bottom gates was leaking badly.  Carried on a further 3 locks with a lovely Scottish couple on a hire boat into Gargrave.  In the evening after trying both pubs for a meal (one fully booked and the other not serving food), we ended up getting fish and chips.... they were absolutely gorgeous, on the expensive side, but well worth it. Down Bank Newton Locks to Gargrave - 3 hours 

Thursday 6 August - Miserable weather in the morning, but brightened up later.  Headed down the locks from Gargrave and moored up just after the swing bridge at Thorlby.       

Sharp Haw

Went on a walk up through Thorlby, had a look at Tarn House Holiday Park (there were some amazing lodges) and had a drink at the Tarn Hall Inn.  Carried on walking up and walked to the top of 'Sharp Haw' where there were the most amazing 360 degree panoramic views of fantastic countryside (approximately 6 mile walk).   Gargrave to Thorlby Swing Bridge - 1.5 hours.

Friday 7 August - Cruised  onto Skipton where it tends to be busy due to hire boats.  Moored up just before you enter Skipton by the park.   Very handy for a large Morrisons and lots of shops and restaurants/cafes etc.  Pam has joined us for the weekend.  In the evening we went out for a meal to a Chinese buffet to 'Kongs' Chinese Restaurant to celebrate the end of Pam's treatment and her and Gerards anniversary.  The food was absolutely gorgeous at £10.99p per head.  The offer was  until 8pm as much as you could eat, you could take as long as you wish.  Thorlby to Skipton 1.25 hours