Canal walk March 18
The usual gang of four, Sue, Linda, Tracy and myself, met up
at Marsden station for the latest leg of our canal walk on the South Pennine
ring. The weather was bright but cool; ideal for walking. We set off along the
Huddersfield Narrow canal through Slaithwaite (I’m still struggling to pronounce the
name correctly) and on to Huddersfield.
The Huddersfield Narrow canal is one of the wonders of the
modern waterways; the canal was abandoned in the 1960s and built over in many
places; restoration was considered ‘impossible’. However, thanks to various
funding and herculean voluntary efforts, the canal was
restored in the early years of the millennium. However, in parts of Huddersfield the canal runs in tunnels and we had to take
to the streets to reach Aspley basin at the junction with the Huddersfield
Broad canal.
We had lunch at the well appointed pub at the marina before
continuing towards Brighouse alongside
acres of playing fields which were busy with various footie matches, including
an all women’s game, the blues had just scored, hooray!
At Coopers Bridge, we joined the Calder & Hebble
Navigation and walked on through pleasant countryside to Brighouse. We decided to reward
ourselves with a well earned beer; unfortunately my recollections of the
whereabouts of the local Wetherspoons proved unreliable and we proceeded off in
completely the wrong direction. We did eventually find our way to the pub, a
converted chapel, decked out as if for a wedding, and doing a good trade.
We caught the bus back to Huddersfield and thence by train
home.
This was a pleasant walk in good company and favourable
weather through varied and interesting countryside. And thanks to Sue for the
Xmas cake, very yummy if not exactly seasonal.
John H
More Photos HERE
