Allerton Bywater to Stanley Ferry

Left Allerton Bywater this morning in sunshine. Turning right at Castleford junction towards Wakefield, going through 3 locks to moor at Stanley Ferry.

Passing moored boats at Methley Bridge

Disused viaduct in the foreground and Stephenson’s Bridge in the background

Woodnook Lock, 13 ft 6 ins deep

Leaving Kings Road lock

The old and new aqueducts at Stanley Ferry. The old cast iron one was built in 1836 and the newer one in 1981

The Calder aqueduct, the largest cast iron aqueduct in the world and one of the most ornate.

View from our mooring for the night

Leeds to Allerton Bywater

Awoke to rain this morning, but at least it was calm and for once no wind. Set off ready to see what the Aire and Calder had to offer. Going through five locks, all electrically operated, so Ian had an easy time pressing buttons. The locks on this section were all 185 ft long and I felt lost in the length of them.

All by myself in Knostrop Fall Lock

Thwaite Mills Industrial Museum

Aire & Calder Navigation

Passing under the M1, I know what I would sooner be doing !!

Woodlesford Lock

Waiting for Ian at Lemonroyd Lock

Enjoying the view from our moorings

Leeds

Slightly overstayed in Leeds, but it would have been worth the charge, if there were anyone around checking. The weather was very blustery, there was no let up in the wind at all. Kelly, Dave and Daisy came for the weekend, we had a great time and Daisy behaved herself. We had additional visitors on Saturday, friends Sarah, Sam and Lindsey came for a girlie day out which we thoroughly enjoyed. We went out for lunch, had a few drinks and lots of gossip. Then Sunday evening it was lovely to see and catch up with Lisa and Jonathan. The only problem was I forgot to take any photos for the blog.

Early evening view from our moorings

Daisy making sure she gets to bed first

Dave, Kelly and Daisy

Rodley to Leeds

Set off in anticipation of Leeds with a mixture of sunshine and heavy showers. Going through 13 locks, including two 3 rises and a 2 rise, then dropping down onto the Aire & Calder to moor in Clarence Docks. Also said goodbye to mum and dad as they caught the train back home today, having spent the last ten days with us.

Former Kirkstall Brewery

Approaching Office Lock

Granary Wharf

Granary Wharf, waiting for the River Lock to fill

Leeds Bridge, 1873

Centenary Bridge

Knights Way Bridge, The Royal Armouries Museum

Entering Clarence Dock

Moored in Clarence Dock

Shipley to Rodley

A very pleasant cruise today, mostly through woodland. Going through 2 staircase locks, a 3 rise and a 2 rise, plus 9 swing bridges. That is now the last of the swing bridges making a total of 41 from Wigan to Leeds. Mooring overnight outside Rodley, just before Newley locks.

Dad having a different view of the locks at Field 3 Rise

Apperley Bridge

Passing through Rodley

Bingley to Shipley

A busy day today, and we still have the strong winds. We completed a total of 11 locks, including 3 staircases, Bingley 5 Rise, Bingley 3 Rise and Dowley Gap 2 Rise, plus 5 swing bridges. Although we did have lock keeper assistance at both the Bingley staircases. The day didn’t go without complications, one of the swing bridges wouldn’t close, eventually we were told just to slam it to drop the locking mechanism, which did the trick and we could get our key back out. Stopped for lunch at Saltaire and had a very nice meal in the Boathouse Inn, afterwards visiting Salts Mill, which includes the David Hockney Gallery. On returning back to the boat we found that some low life had thrown my flowers and life ring overboard, we might have given the wind the benefit of the doubt if it hadn’t been for the footprints left on the gunwhale. Leaving Saltaire we immediately pass through Shipley, but moorings didn’t look inviting so we went a little further into countryside.

Looking down Bingley 5 Rise, dropping 60 ft

Yet another strange paddle gear

Going down

Exiting the last chamber

Looking back at Bingley 5 Rise

Looking down Bingley 3 Rise, dropping 30 ft

Damart Mill

Exiting Dowley Gap 2 Rise, dropping 18 ft 4 ins

Saltaire, built by Sir Titus Salt in 1853, moored between New Mill (NHS) and Salts Mill

A view of New Mill (NHS) and the River Aire

Shipley Wharf

Kildwick to Bingley

After having a rest day yesterday due to the strong winds and heavy rain. We got up this morning still to strong winds, but set off in the hope it would improve. A busy day for Ian as he had 14 swing bridges in 8 miles, one of the electric bridges wouldn’t work so we had to call out BW. We didn’t have too long to wait, they arrived within 10 minutes and sorted out the problem quickly in the main control box. Now moored at the top of the Bingley five rise after using the services, ready to do the flight tomorrow.

Cruising between Kildwick and Silsden

 

Heading towards Silsden

Leaving Silsden

Approaching another swing bridge

Moored at Bingley, ready for the locks tomorrow

Inghey Bridge – Skipton - Kildwick

A sunny cruise to Skipton, giving us a full day to shop and explore. We had a trip to the castle whilst mum and dad went to the church, meeting up later for lunch at Bizzie Lizzie’s, the famous fish and chip restaurant. It was nice to wander around the market, but it was very busy, especially with it being a Saturday. We had a later cruise to moor in the countryside, stopping off to have a look at the Polish Airmen Memorial and then finding moorings at Kildwick.

Heading towards Skipton

One of the many swing bridges, which have replaced the locks for a few days

The last swing bridge into Skipton

The Springs Branch, which leads past the castle, but not for craft longer than 35ft. We also fuelled at Pennine Cruisers by very helpful staff

Towards the town centre

The outer gate to Skipton Castle

The main entrance

The Conduit Court, the Yew tree was planted in 1659

The Banqueting Hall

Steps down to the Dungeon

Excellent fish and chips

Leaving Skipton

The Polish Airmen Memorial, seven airmen lost their lives when their Wellington bomber crashed in 1943

The view from our moorings