Saltaire

Today was a memorable day's boating because the scenery was great and the weather was glorious, although on occasions it was a bit chilly. We left Rodley and stopped off at Apperley Bridge Marina for some coal - spring boating requires cabin heating, particularly this year! 

Apperley Bridge Marina

All the three rise locks along this section climbing out of Leeds are lock keeper operated but the two risers are boater operated. Dobson Two Lock is just after Apperley and lies alongside a BW Yard but we had to operate it ourselves. Interestingly, considering the close proximity of the BW Yard, the lock gates leaked a lot and this made it more tricky. We had to close up the cratch cover and it got a soaking; also adjusting our position in the lock was more difficult.

Dodson Two Lock

Leaky Gates at Dobson Two Locks

A new van at Dobson maintenece yard sporting the new Canal & River Trust logos

Above the locks the canal winds through a tree lined valley and in the distance we got our first view of the Yorkshire Moors. There were also lots of bluebells growing under the trees and the odd length of crumbling dry stone wall which made it very atmospheric.

Operating a swing bridge

Field Three Locks were delightful. The locks were operated by Nick who has created an attractive small garden around the three containers from where he operates. Another boat was moving down the locks when we arrived so we had to wait but it was very pleasant in the sunshine. We received some helpful information about overnight moorings from both Nick and other boaters and decided that we would try and moor up close to Bingley Three Rise Locks at Hirst Woods.

Field Three Locks

Lock keeper offices in containers at Field Three Locks

We lunched around Oddies Bridge and then continued through Shipley and Saltaire. All along this stretch there were joggers,walkers and cyclists all enjoying the brighter weather. Community use of the canal along the Aire Valley appears to be very strong. It reminded us of the stretch of the Kennet & Avon that runs from Bradford upon Avon to Bath except there were no lines of moored boats!

Shipley

Mills at Saltaire

Mooring at Hirst Wood, Saltaire

We moored up above Hirst Lock. By the lock is Hirst Wood and Hirst Mill. Just along from our mooring is a magnificent stone aqueduct where the canal crosses the River Aire. Just outside our window is a bluebell wood - an idyllic mooring.

Hirst Mill, River Aire

We went for a walk this evening exploring the local area. We walked along the River Aire, where two crews from Bradford Amateur Rowing Club were training. We then returned via Hirst Wood which was carpeted with bluebells.

Quad sculler on the River Aire, Saltaire

Leeds & Liverpool Canal Aqueduct across the River Aire

Bluebells in Hirst Wood, Saltaire

At the heart of Hirst Wood is an area where tall beech trees form what can only be described as a tree cathederal. We had just remarked on this when a couple passing by said exactly the same thing.

"Cathederal of trees" in Hirst Wood

 Tomorrow we travel to Bingley where Maggie was at college. With that, and the three and five risers, it should be an interesting day.

Quiet evening mooring at Hirst Wood, Saltaire

Rodley

Leeds Bridge, River Aire

We left Leeds today to start our journey along the Leeds and Liverpool canal and it was a bright mostly sunny day with the odd shower. Leaving Clarence Dock and going up the River Aire, we got to River Lock, the start of the canal at about 9:30.

Typical Leeds & Liverpool Canal Ground Paddle Mechanism

We had to get used to the L & L lock mechanisms, the ground paddles are operated by a vertical screw mechanism. At the second lock, called Office Lock because it is alongside the former L & L offices, we met the local British Waterways lock keepers who told us that they would help us go up the staircases (risers) at Forge and Newlay and indicated that we should plan to stop until after Newlay. At Oddy Locks we found the hotel boat Teal behind us. Although they caught us up we didn't see them until we were moored up; they must have stopped for lunch.

Ruins of Kirkstall Abbey

Newlay Three Rise

The lock keepers met us at the risers, as promised. With the heavy mechanisms and tight dimensions their help was welcome. The ground paddles, in particular, are often very difficult to move. We had wondered how Albert, at 60ft, would fit into the L & L locks . It wasn't that easy - we had to lift our stern fenders, move our tiller so that it wouldn't foul the gates, and then put Albert at an angle. However, once in the lock all is straightforward. Discussing how we fitted into the lock with the lock keepers, they didn't appear too bothered about Albert's length stating that they used to regularly handle 62ft boats by placing them diagonally across the lock.

Whitecote House, Rodley

The route the canal follows along the Aire Valley out of Leeds is suprisingly rural and is quite a contrast to our more familiar Southern waterways and other city routes. Close to Kirkstall the lock keepers reported seeing a stag running along the towpath. After Newlay we started meeting the swing bridges that are an L & L feature. We will meet a lot more.

Moored up at Rodley

We stopped late afternoon in Rodley at visitor moorings near the swing bridge. It was sunny and we enjoyed pottering around and visiting the local pub. The canal runs close to the centre of the village so shops, pubs, restaurants and buses are near by.

Leeds

On Sunday morning the weather was again bright but it was windy. Attica left early to get through Leeds to their base at Apperley Bridge. Red Admiral, Mrs Nippy and Albert left together for Leeds.

Thwaite Mills, Leeds (River Aire)

The journey was very pleasant, with the weather fine, and we arrived at Leeds Lock late morning. We had passed a group of boats going downstream. It turned out that they were stuck in Clarence Dock because of high river levels. BW had closed the gates to the dock.

Mills by the River Aire, Leeds

Leeds Lock & Royal Armouries

Albert moored up outside the Royal Armouries, Clarence Dock, Leeds

We found a good mooring in Clarence Dock. We had a choice of two and selected the on at the end of the floating pontoon. Later we found out that it was a mooring allocated by BW to a new trip boat that was coming down  from Skipton. There was no sign indicating that the mooring was not available and by then no other moorings were available in the dock. We went for a walk into the town and on the way found the said trip boat (NB Apollo) coming out of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal onto to river. We introduced ourselves to the operators who were charming about us being, inadvertently, on their mooring. We sorted out the problem by breasting-up overnight. The basic problem in Clarence Dock is not the shortage of moorings, but the shortage of those available for visitors. There are loads of moorings behind the two movable bridges but they are not readily available because the bridges are rarely operated.

NB Apollo at Leeds - the new Clarence Dock trip boat

We explored Leeds for the rest of the day and enjoyed its superb facilities. Maggie particularly enjoyed the fashionable shops in the arcades. We had tea at Harvey Nicholls!

The wonderful Country Arcade, Leeds

River Aire emerging from the Dark Arches under Leeds Railway Station

River Aire, Under the Dark Arches

Former offices of the Aire & Calder Navigation Company

Crown Point Bridge, Leeds

Today, Monday, we spent more time in Leeds. We had lunch at the Dock Lane Market. In the afternoon we helped Hugh, from the trip boat Apollo, move moorings and also acted as his first passengers on a practice run up river to Victoria Bridge. 

NB Apollo breasted-up against Albert at Clarence Dock

NB Apollo

Hugh steering NB Apollo on the River Aire, Leeds

This afternoon we also met the owner of Apollo, David Lowe, who we met in Manchester with his boat Swallow. We found out a lot about its history, but more of that another time. We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Leeds. Tomorrow we depart for the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Woodlesford in a flotilla

On Friday, when we boated to Pollington, we didn't see another boat on the move. Early in the day we had passed wideboat Woody at Bramwith Lock. The owner had indicated that he was going up to Pollington later in the day.


In the early evening narrow boats Mrs Nippy and Red Admiral arrived, closely followed by NB Atticus and finally widebeam Woody who had to moor on the water point since there was no space.

Pollington Lock

On Saturday morning (13th May) we all set off together going through Pollington Lock. Because we couldn't use the full length of the lock all the narrowboats went through together and Woody had to follow; although thet caught up later. All the other locks towards Castleford could accomodate the whole of our convoy (or should it be flotilla). We must have appeared like a cruising club.

Mrs Nippy overtaking

Whitley Lock

Our flotilla

Progress was good, including passing through Ferrybridge where there can be strong river flows, and we reached Bulholme Lock with no problems except for some little b....s throwing stones at Woody from a railway bridge.

Ferrybridge Lock

The landing stage at Bulhome Lock is short and both Mrs Nippy and Red Admiral moored abreast and tried to operate the lock - but to no avail. It appeared that the lock keeper had disappeared and left the lock with no power available for boaters to operate the mechanism. Phone calls were made to BW and we all moored up - that was four narrowboats and a wide beam.  By the time the lock keeper eventually arrived and operated the lock (with no explanation) there was also a Dutch Barge and five plastic cruisers all waiting. The locals appeared to find the chaos great fun.

Moored up at Bulhome Lock waiting for a lock keeper

We got to Castleford Flood Lock to find that the traffic light was flashing red. A narrowboat moored near by, Purple Emperor, joined our flotilla and the crew provided the explanation. The flood lock relies on some automatic sluices that are some distance away from the gates and two were up, effectively stopping lock operation. All six boats locked through onto the river and Woody dissappeared down the Calder.

Leaving Castlford Flood Lock

(junction of Rivers Aire & Calder)

We progressed well up the River Aire with Arthur from Mr Nippy providing much of the lock operation. At the recommendation of the crew on Atticus we moored up just above Woodlesford Lock. It is an excellent spot to moor with a charming village, quite moorings and good views over the River Aire, including a bird hide. There are some houses with imaginative architecture close to the lock.