Day 40 Monday May 19

 Had a great start today as we decided to head onto Gargaves. This required us to go through one lock - luckily Ben (hirer of Maureen and Graeme’s boat) met up with us to show us how to get through!

I walked from where we moored overnight to Skipton - needed the exercise! Met up with Gary, Bob and Kath after about 2.5 kms. Wasn’t sure if they’d stop to let me back on!



View whilst walking along canal

Travelling along and got to the first swing bridge. Bob and I jumped off to get us through. All good, both boats get through, no problem. Get to next swing bridge and I jump off to open the bridge and get both boats through. Gary and Bob come through and let me know Graeme and Maureen are not far behind. Of course, a car comes up and stops waiting to go over the bridge. I wait and wait for G and M- no sign of them. I close the bridge to let the car cross and wait, and wait and wait. Finally I see G and M’s boat coming so I swing the bridge open again, bloody heavy things! Next thing I see is Graeme on the boat and Maureen walking along the path. I called out and said what’s up, is all okay? And Maureen yells back - no I fell in! She had fallen in the canal, the leptospirosis, germ ridden, revolting water in the canal! She was sopping wet! To my credit I showed genuine concern first, then when she was out of sight and couldn’t see me, laughed hysterically - as all good O’Tooles were taught!

After a couple of strong whiskeys, a hot shower, a change of clothes, a hot cup of tea and a sandwich Maureen was feeling a bit better. After at least two more whiskies she was feeling a lot better! Apparently Graeme got stuck on a mud bank, she hopped off to help push him off and the bank collapsed underneath her! Worst part was her phone in her pocket but it seems to be okay! 

Made it through the lock, an unbelievable process, too hard to describe here! But all went well. Stopping here overnight after turning around and will head back through lock tomorrow. Canal water levels are very low and it’s just not worth trying to do anymore. Despite the dunking, it’s been quite a fun day! Hope tomorrow goes as smoothly as- lock wise that is!

Having trouble with photos again - no wifi on boat so having to rely on hot spot, no working too well! 

Comments

  1. Pam and VernonMay 19, 2025 at 6:45 PM

    Beautiful photo of the boats on the water. Hope you don’t have too many more “adventures “ in the water, although it does make for great stories and you can drink lots of rum afterwards, sounds like a certainty to me, maybe you should all go for a swim??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gary and TrishMay 20, 2025 at 12:41 PM

      You need to see this water - you would NEVER suggest going for a swim! 😒

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Itinerary Whilst Away

 I know you are all going to want to know where we are everyday whilst we’re away so here it is! 10 April - Ramada by Wyndham North of London ( same day we arrive) 11  to 13 April - York 13 to 14 April - Whitby 14 to 18 April - Edinburgh 18 to 20 April - Aberdeen ( Happy birthday Sammy for 19th 😘😇)  20 to 22 April - Inverness 22 to 24 April - Thurso  24 to 26 April - Ullapool 26 to 29 April - Letterfinlay ( Happy birthday Dan) ❤️🎂 29 to 1 May - Oban  1 to 2 May - Ayr 2 to 4 May - Morecombe 4 to 7 May - Felinheli  7 to 9 May - Swansea 9 to 12 May - Bradiford 12 to 15 May - Bath 15 May - drop car back to Heathrow. Catch bus to Sheffield 15 to 17 May - Sheffield (Happy birthday Nashie 💕🎂)  17 to 18 May - Skipton. Meet Ryan’s and Smiths and get on canal boat 18 to 25 May - cruising through canals somewhere!  25 to 28 May - London and then fly home. 
Read more

Day 5 Monday 14 April

Image
 Up early this morning to head off to Edinburgh. Freezing cold but brilliant sunshine. Decided to detour to Holy Island as tides were right. You only have a smallish window to get across the causeway and back! This is where Lindisfarne was founded. It was so busy but so worth the effort! Causeway across to island Tides out thank heavens Sign in village on island Tide still out luckily! Following others across causeway Still accessible Story of Lindisfarne The old Abbey ruins on Holy Island The castle ruins A sculpture inside the church Inside the church of St Mary The story of the church Holy Island Us in front of the Abbey ruins Abbey ruins and graveyard Didn’t stay too long as a bit nervous about causeway flooding, plus hundreds of people there so didn’t want to be leaving at the same time!  Decided to head up to Berwick on Tweed, what a gorgeous place. Saw Berwick Castle Walls around Berwick, walked all the way around. Built by the English to keep the Scots out.  Berwi...
Read more