A Leeds & Liverpool adventure

Cruising the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at the Bingley Five Rise we came across some enterprising recycling by Canal & River Trust, writes Mick Fitzgibbons.

It had recycled the wooden canal safety barrier. The palings have been removed from the safety fence. Joined together with bits of the usual blue rope. Then used to gather together the floating islands of weeds that the Leeds & Liverpool is famous for.

The old lock keeper used to get out his keb and remove the weed on a daily basis. I suppose the new lock crew have not been on the 'keb' health and safety course.

Somersaults into lock

Today's speciality towpath entertainment at Oddies Lock was a trampoline group. There was a gang of kids leaping into the locks from the footbridge. They were also jumping into the locks and doing somersaults from a trampoline as we entered. It was very scary, I had this vision of one being crushed.

We tried to divert their attention into helping us to open and shut gates and engaging them in conversation. We promised to flood the top lock for them, knowing that there was another boat not far behind. This is now the third group of kids swimming in the cut so far this year.

Chop up a dog

Then I had to have a word with a dog walker who was throwing a ball into the water for the dog to retrieve. I gave a loud blast on the horn—he gave me the finger. I had to put the boat in neutral and glide past the dog which was still swimming around in the water. Then I told him about the big bronze propeller that can chop up a dog in an instant. He stopped to think about it mumbled sorry, then called the dog out and rode off on his bike with the dog in tow on a lead.

Its so nice to see all the new health and safety conscious canal users that have been attracted by the good weather. Then there was a clatter as someone on a bike managed to fall off. Just the usual knee and elbows scrapes to have a rub at before setting off again at a good lick.

Like a velodrome now

Last time we came this way the towpath had not been metalled and was very gravelly. This caused the push bike squads to go a bit slower back then. Its a bit like a velodrome now. Though we did have to call out an ambulance to one with a broken collarbone and a suspected broken shoulder blade. We also had to stop his mate from injuring him further as he tried to pull him to his feet. His screams were pitiful and I think he passed out from the pain.

I gave his mate a few 'first aider tips' like if the person is conscious leave alone. Never move anyone with rib and shoulder injuries as a punctured lung is a complication that he does not need. We could only direct the ambulance to a post code for a nearby housing estate because lock numbers and names are a foreign language to the emergency services.

I am wondering what tomorrow will bring!