Lock 42E, Marsden

After saying goodbye to Al and waiting for the downpour to pass, we left Standedge Basin and took Rainboat half a mile along the cut to the moorings above Lock 42 East.

On the West side of the tunnel we'd ascended 32 locks to the summit pound and this was the start of 42 locks down to the end of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the start of the Huddersfield Broad. The first 10 locks are close together and known as the Marsden Flight. Passage through them must be booked in advance so the CRT can regulate the water level in the top pound, ensuring it doesn't get too low for boats to safely navigate through Standedge Tunnel.

After we joined the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in early May the CRT announced an extended closure of the final 32 locks on the east side while they make upgrades to Hill Top Reservoir which feeds the canal. We initially decided to come through the tunnel then retrace our steps rather than being stuck waiting. Since then we've had time to ponder and decided to give staying put a go. As continuous crusiers we are usually only allowed to stay 14 days before moving on but with the route ahead closed there is more leeway. The local CRT can't officially grant us permission to overstay but have said they won't report us to the enforcement team for doing so and are personally quite happy for us to be here. This way, when the canal reopens we can complete the entire length.

There are spaces for 6 boats at these moorings, with the option to go down the Marsden Flight and moor near the winding hole at the start of the closed section. It is certainly very quiet with so few boats passing by and will be nice and relaxing, especially for Tiger Lilly. One person has left their boat here while they take a foreign holiday while Tony and his partner are doing the same as us. They are a friendly couple who have offered Will a lift in their car if he needs to get anywhere. Transport form here is good, with a bus stop nearby and a train station so close that you can hear the engines idling as they wait at the platform.

The friendly Railway pub is just a stone's throw away and Marsden is close by with its Co-op, book shop and butchers. There are a number of events taking place including Sunday Sessions every week at the tunnel portal with live music, pizza and a bar. The upcoming Pennine Beer festival is within stumbling distance and the Mikron Theatre is holding an open air comedy in a few weeks. The theatre itself is based on a narrowboat and travels the network in the summer months, putting on performances in collaboration with various outdoor venues.

The CRT have recently started giving experienced paddlers the opportunity to canoe through Standedge Tunnel as part of a group once a month. Will is intending to book a place, happy that the money raised will go towards much needed canal maintenance.

In August there is a weekend celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Standedge Tunnel and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal reopening. We may even be around for that!

While Will is looking forward to the events, staying in one place will also give us the opportunity to sort out some of life's less exciting tasks that would have been difficult on the move. We've arranged for a local home appliance service to inspect our broken fridge and for it to be replaced and the old one taken away. If and when Vicky's wheelchair gets repaired Will can get buses or a train to pick it up. He's also booked a session at Marsden's chiropody and podiatry clinic in the hope of reducing the pain in his foot where was broken 5 years ago by a horse.

We'll see how staying in one place goes and update you here if there is anything of note. The moorings and Marsden in general have a good community feel but there is always the option of going back through the tunnel and down the west locks if we get too bored!Read more