Saturday afternoon saw us setting off from our temporary mooring at Shire Cruisers in Sowerby Bridge ..
... turning out of the basin onto the Rochdale Canal proper.
Nigel, top man at Shire Cruisers asked us to take one of his boats through the first few locks as its crew had been delayed by a mega pile up on the M.1
Heading towards ...
... and in Tuel Lane Tunnel ...
... and straight into the lock which is daunting to say the least.
Tuel Lane lock from the top ...
... and looking down into it.
Some of the locks on the East side of the Rochdale require substantial supports to the top of the gates.
A typical lock.
Passing friend Aileen's boat near Hebden Bridge. We spent Saturday night in Hebden Bridge, moored outside the Stubbings Wharf Pub to be precise (Excellent Beer!)
Stone cottages typical of the Calder Valley
The scenery around Hebden Bridge although not as dramatic as further up the valley is still interesting.
You know that you are getting old when boat steerers look younger than policemen!.
Everybody's favourite job - emptying the bog!
Typical Rochdale stone bridge ...
... and spillwier.
Heading into Todmorden.
Todmorden gillotine lock ...
... and the "Great Wall of Todmorden"
Below Gauxholme
Gauxholme ...
... and from above.
Looking West to Copprashouse Bridge.
No shortage of water here!
Heading up the valley ...
... to Walsden and its church.
Note the toilet block cantilevered over the river!
The scenerey has by now got very rural.
The swingbridge two locks below the East summit lock, we moored here on Sunday night as the Summit lock had been padlocked for the night as it had been damaged.