Tuesday 31 May 2011

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.

009 Passing moored boats at Methley Bridge

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

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Woodnook Lock, 13 ft 6 ins deep

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Leaving Kings Road lock

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

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

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View from our mooring for the night

Monday 30 May 2011

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.

013 All by myself in Knostrop Fall Lock

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Thwaite Mills Industrial Museum

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Aire & Calder Navigation

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

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Woodlesford Lock

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Waiting for Ian at Lemonroyd Lock

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Enjoying the view from our moorings

Sunday 29 May 2011

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.

002 Early evening view from our moorings

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Daisy making sure she gets to bed first

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Dave, Kelly and Daisy

Thursday 26 May 2011

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.

016 Former Kirkstall Brewery

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Approaching Office Lock

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Granary Wharf

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Granary Wharf, waiting for the River Lock to fill

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Leeds Bridge, 1873

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Centenary Bridge

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Knights Way Bridge, The Royal Armouries Museum

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Entering Clarence Dock

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Moored in Clarence Dock

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Wednesday 25 May 2011

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.

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

007 Apperley Bridge

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Passing through Rodley

Tuesday 24 May 2011

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.

019 Looking down Bingley 5 Rise, dropping 60 ft

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Yet another strange paddle gear

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Going down

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Exiting the last chamber

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Looking back at Bingley 5 Rise

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Looking down Bingley 3 Rise, dropping 30 ft

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Damart Mill

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Exiting Dowley Gap 2 Rise, dropping 18 ft 4 ins

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

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

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Shipley Wharf

Monday 23 May 2011

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.

004 Cruising between Kildwick and Silsden

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Heading towards Silsden

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Leaving Silsden

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Approaching another swing bridge

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Moored at Bingley, ready for the locks tomorrow

Sunday 22 May 2011

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.

002 Heading towards Skipton

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

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The last swing bridge into Skipton

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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

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Towards the town centre

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The outer gate to Skipton Castle

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The main entrance

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The Conduit Court, the Yew tree was planted in 1659

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The Banqueting Hall

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Steps down to the Dungeon

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Excellent fish and chips

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Leaving Skipton

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

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The view from our moorings