With so little passing traffic and so many swing bridges ahead of me on the L&L before Leeds I was feeling a little anxious about finding a kind assisting boat. But as I was getting ready to leave the mooring in anticipation, the boat started to move due to an approaching bow wave. Yes, there were my knights in shining armour on cue!
They helped me through the first swing bridge and then as I was approaching the second, which they had already prepared, my throttle cable broke. It was a very windy day but fortunately there was help at hand on the towpath as I used what steering I had left due my speed to get near enough to the bank to cast a line. A call to River Canal Rescue (the boaters’ equivalent of the RAC) and a couple of hours later I was on my way again.I got as far as the next swing bridge and decided to call it a day with some lovely local walks for Tara.
Meanwhile I was joined on the mooring by another boat and we agreed to set off early the next day. Again I was really lucky finding much needed help with the swing bridges. We travelled together the next day and the following day, as far as Newlay Staircase locks but then we got separated. There was another boat ahead of us at Newlay and my new friends were on a tight schedule to get through Leeds that day. So I felt that they should go ahead of me with the other boat.
Newlay Locks are interesting. The Waterways Guide Book says that “in the interests of safety and water conservation, Newlay, Forge and Kirkstall Locks cannot be operated outside the hours 08.15-18.00 when CRT staff will be in attendance”. What the book does not say is that the local hooligans get out of bed about midday and terrorise boaters going through these locks. From 14.00 each day there is a security guard in attendance to protect the CRT staff!!. Apparently at the start of the day, CRT have to check the lock gates for large nails hammered in by small boys being held upside down by the ankles. The nails are designed to catch on the boat fenders – the idea being to sink the boats. Canny boaters will go through these locks whilst these said hooligans are still in bed and I am pleased to report that I had an uneventful passage – phew!!
And so, on to Leeds where I moored in Granary Wharf next to the Hilton Hotel no less.
DC moored in Granary Wharf by the Hilton. A rather exclusive berth.
“Underneath the arches ………
The view of Granary Wharf from the boat
Granary Wharf from River Lock
Walking along the River Aire in Leeds I found this delightful development near Brewery Wharf
It was like an oasis in the centre of Leeds
Close up of the lilies
Canary Wharf. The more popular moorings in Leeds but I actually preferred Granary Wharf – despite the trains
Leeds Lock where you lock out onto the main river
Through a Facebook contact I met up with another couple who were locking out onto the main river the next day and kindly agreed to share locks with me. This also gave me much valued moral support in making the transition from the canal onto the river, something I found a little daunting.
Looking back to River Lock en route to Leeds Lock where I met up with Wendy and her husband
Passing wharf developments in Leeds
Looking back to Granary Wharf
Approaching New Leeds Bridge
New Leeds Bridge
Approaching Knights Way Bridge. Passing the entrance to Clarence Dock with the Armouries on the right
Leaving Leeds Lock
Now you don’t see many of these on the canals!
Approaching Knostrop Flood Lock
The locks are huge compared to those on the canal
The other boat locking out behind me
Thwaite Mills Industrial Museum
Graffiti on one of the bridges
A rather unusual boat at Lemonroyd Lock
After the last lock the heavens opened and it seemed an eternity before we reached Castleford Junction where we turned left for moorings at Castleford on the Aire and Calder Navigation.
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