Sunday 4th of September 2011.
Day 14 Skipton Basin to Anchor Lock.
We had a visit today from an old work colleague Steve, it was good to meet up with again just seven months after I retired from my old place of work. From our conversation the nature of the work has changed beyond all recognition. Whilst I have never regretted taking early retirement sweetened by a redundancy package. I am even more sure than I was previously that I made the right decision.
We spent most of the day cruising up and down the canal between Skipton basin and the winding hole near N lock. Steve was a willing pupil and wanted to gain some experience in running the boat. Steve very quickly picked up the basics of steering and using the Morse control to adjust the manoeuvring speed. We also covered the morning ritual of greasing the stern gland, checking alternator belts and the oil level.
In the mid afternoon Steve left to drive back to Sheffield and we started to continue our cruise. A few near misses with hire boaters helped to liven up the day as we resumed journey. We ran into Nb Lindsey Ann again who were last seen in on the water point in Skipton Canal Basin. We exchanged a cheery wave.
We met up with several families all out walking the canal together at Higherland lock. A very pleasant chat to a few of the adults ensured. All the usual questions about the boat were asked. However, our ship mate Poppy was quite taken in by a rather handsome Irish Terrior called "Fin" who had something of a glint in his eye. Even Abbey was quite won over by this Irish Lothario. Looks like I have shipped aboard with a couple of Wire Haired Fox Tarts.
At about 7pm we moored up for the night near Anchor Lock.We went to the Anchor Inn next to the lock. The food was average but for an evening with few punters, waiting just short of an hour to be served was a poor showing. On a scale of 1 being dire to 10 being excellent - The Anchor rates only a lowly three.
I went out with the bat detector tonight, a warm 15c and with slight drizzle, I only observed three Pipistrelle. A Tawny Owl was giving that whoooo-wooo call as used in so many night sequences in films. It was calling from a bank side tree, but I was unable to spot the Owl before it flew away.
The water level in the canal around Skipton has dropped several inches below normal, No one seems to know why the level has dropped. But as Skipton is in a 17 mile long pound. That is an awful large amount of water to go missing.
Daily Total
Distance: 5 Miles.
Locks: 3
Swing / Lift Bridges: 5
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 1825.9
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