Riley Green to Skipton

HMMS BUGGERLUGS Set sail on the 21 July with 5 passengers and two overworked, underpaid, pensionable, crew. the weather looked very ominous the barometer was dropping and the sky was turning very dark. however this did not deter the intrepid seasoned crew they set to work manning the boat and taking care of the passengers. We sailed quite effortless through the hamlets of Fenniscoles and Cherrytree, the captain was giving a short history of the canal and imparting his exceptional knowledge on anyone who would listen. As we neared the first lock system in Blackburn the weather closed in and it became apparent that more crew would be required to operate the system, The Purser exerted her authority and press gagged two young passengers into lock swingers. This task they took to with fervent endeavour even through the torrential rain and howling wind they soldiered on. The weather cleared and allowed us to stop at ASDA this I believe was the high light of some peoples day, then having passed some of the oldest architecture on the canal we called into Range another superstore this time the captain was intent on spending money.

Having left Range we then set off on a leisurely run through Church, Ossy, Accrington, and finally Hapton were our passengers were collected. 8 hours ,7 locks, 2 shops, a history on canals and a Buffet lunch what else do you want for nothing. The crew of Buggerlugs hope all passengers had a great day and some ambitions were fulfilled.

Having got rid of the rabble were pressed on and moored up just beyond Hapton Wednesday looked at being as grim as Tuesday having passed through Burnley and its out lying districts

we found ourselves with a fouled prop which meant an enforced stop while I managed to unfoul the prop. this fortuitous as Matthew Lorraine and Thomas decided to catch us up for the Foulridge Tunnel Matthew went ahead with the car parked at the far end of the tunnel and walked back over the old horse route he even managed to find us just as Noreen started working the Barrowford flight of 7 locks, Thanks Mat, I Lorraine stayed indoors whilst going through the lock as Thomas might have been frightened as it turned out I am not sure who was the more scared. That motley crew left about 5 and again we were left to our own devices Thursday dawned just as wet but this time with a howling wind we pressed on doing 17 locks and three swing bridges, it was a harrowing day but here we are Friday and in Skipton on time

The only disappointment is that Mick who we intended to meet here we passed two days ago going in the opposite direction.

We are now in Skipton moored opposite Morrisons and awaiting our visitors.

By from the hotel Buggerlugs

Rach and Elliot working a lock, Just look at the rain

Purser and Passengers

One Rebelious Passenger