Overnight visit to Stanley Ferry

We had left the Boat at Castleford following our trip to Leeds as we fancied trying the Wakefield branch of the Aire and Calder whilst at that neck of the woods. Saturday lunch we went on our way, initially going a mile up the main branch of the A&C to have lunch at The Boat Inn, Allerton Bywater which was well worth a visit. We then headed back to Castleford Junction and up the Calder

A family of swans followed us up the River Calder

The disused coal loading basin at Whitwood is now the pleasant moorings of Fairies hill and Altofts cut

Moored at Stanley Ferry

 On exploring on foot I found this impressive view of the original aqueduct which was built over the River Calder in 1863.

 From this angle you can see the original aqueduct along with the replacement which was only built in 1981 to allow renovation of the original structure. Coal from local collieries was loaded at Stanley Ferry right up to 1985 for transport down to Goole Docks in tub boats known as 'Tom Puddings'. To the right of the picture you can see the buildings belonging to the Canal and River Trust where lock gates are made for use all over the country.

New lock gates awaiting shipment.

The atmosphere was so nice at Stanley Ferry we are planning to go back again this weekend before heading back to our mooring at Pollington either Sunday or early next week as I'm working the next 2 weekends.

Up the Aire and Calder to Leeds

As we have been so looking forward to visit towns and cities familiar to ourselves but from a different view, we decided to head off to Leeds this weekend. Things didn't go to plan! William and I had brought Bombardier II from Selby to Ferrybridge lock on Thursday with a view to get as far as Castleford on Friday night. The trip to Ferrybridge went without a hitch but on arriving back on Friday we found the engine wouldn't idle properly and so the departure was aborted.

I headed back to Ferrybridge lock on Saturday morning in the pouring rain with some bits and pieces I planned to replace and after replacing a faulty HT lead we were on our way.

An interesting and pleasant journey behind Ferrybridge Power Station took us to Bullholme Lock just outside Castleford.

A number of black headed gulls were swooping around Lemonroyd lock and were totally unaware of us travelling along.

Approaching Leeds City Centre. Originally planned as a leisurely cruise, because of the technical delays were were really glad to finally arrive in Leeds.

On arriving at Clarence Dock we found all the Visitor Moorings full. A helpful chap at one of the long-term moorings suggested a place we could tie up. Not ideal, but it was already 9pm and we couldn't face any more searching or locks! (That's Bombardier lashed to railings in the corner!)

The journey back to Castleford was a little more relaxed. We managed to get this picture of a Heron which kept flying a few hundred metres further along the river to avoid us.

The approach to Fish Pond Lock following a narrowboat named 'Patricia'. Unfortunately there was a bit of a wait but the lock is big enough to fit 2 narrowboats and us with plenty of space to spare as soon as the traffic came upstream.

We were going to head back towards our home mooring but as I'm not working next weekend we are planning to head up the Wakefield branch of the Aire and Calder while we are this way on.

Trip into York and back to Selby

We took the boat for a trip into York then retuned to Naburn lock in time for the tide to be right to return to Selby lock.

 An oystercatcher feeding just north of Naburn

 Approaching York at the millennium bridge

 The branch with the river Foss. 

It is only navigable for a short stretch.

 Skeldergate bridge, York Boat trips and 

Ouse bridge ahead of that.

 Bombardier II moored at Naburn Lock waiting 

for the tide.

 I was warned about debris but how do you avoid 

this lot in your path!

 And some of it quite big. We did hit a large log at 

one point and although it made us jump out of our 

skin it din't do any damge.

Selby Toll Bridge marking our imminent passage

 into Selby Lock

Our first trip on the Tidal Ouse from Selby to Naburn

We were a little apprehensive given the relatively high tide and high winds forecast but went for it anyway. We had planned the trip well and had all the necessary safety equipment.

 The rough waters heading out of the lock

 Heading under the 'toll' bridge

 A grey heron near Cawood

 Cawood swing bridge

Reaching the relative safety of Naburn lock