Wednesday 31st of August 2011.
Day 10 Bingley 5 Rise to Skipton.
We were up and about early a light breakfast and we were underway by 7:45. From Bingley through Skipton there is a 17 mile section of canal without any locks. This makes this a popular section of canal for the hire boater. We exchanged greetings with a couple of walkers on the towpath. Little did we know, but they would be along side us for most of our journey to Skipton. Many of the swing bridges were being controlled because a lot of work boats were moving around. So we were making good time. The weather was overcast and almost no sunshine to write about. The number of boats about on the canal was few and far between.
There was several sections of canal where repair work was being carried out around some of the swing bridges. In the main this consisted of bank side repairs. However a few sections were being dredged though we found a couple of sections where we seemed to be going through more mud than water.
We called in at "Puffer Parts" chandler located alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Keighley. We enjoyed a browse through the Aladdin's cave that composed the stock area. We purchased a couple of spare fenders and some large nylon connectors for the pump-out kit. Iain and Elaine were most informative and friendly. Nip in for a browse if your passing.
Snygill boatyard was busy as we passed by, with boats being repaired and re-painted. soon we were into the visitor mooring area of Skipton. Skipton in Craven to give it its full title is a small market town, It is located on the south side of the Yorkshire Dales National Park where it also gets the title "Gateway to the Dales" from.
Skipton has an ancient Castle first constructed in 1090 as a motte and bailey by Robert de Romille, one of the Norman Barons. The protection afforded by Skipton Castle encouraged the region to become a prosperous market town, trading sheep and wool. Now Skipton's economy is based on the tourist trade, aided by its historic architecture and proximity to the Yorkshire Dales.Skipton was connected to other major cities via the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and its branch Thanet canal, known locally as 'Springs branch Canal' A short branch which leaves the main canal in Skipton, and runs to some loading wharfs near Skipton Castle, which were used to load limestone from local quarries into boats for onward shipment. It was opened in 1773, and extended in 1794..
Daily Total
Miles: 13
Locks: 0
Swing / Lift Bridges: 20
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 1819.9
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