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Ouse, Nidd, Swale and Ure
We left York early this morning; it was grey and blustery. In fact, I was still in my dressing gown when John cast off! We thought we should "get a march" on all the boats that were planning to moor at Boroughbridge. I have a blood test booked for tomorrow and so wanted to be conveniently moored for the walk into Boroughbridge.
By the time I emerged from down below, we were well out of York and I took over the camera just before the high A1237 Bridge which crosses Rawcliffe and Poppleton Ings (water meadows). I love this healthy message - Nesquik was one of my childhood favourites!
 Nesquik lorry on A1237
Once again the banks of the River Ouse were higher than we were and as this sort of cruising can be pretty boring (for me) we took to looking for wildlife again and keeping a count of birds, waterfowl and domesticated animals - cattle, sheep and horses.
Skelton Bridge at Nether Poppleton is a rail bridge and true to form no train passed over it until we were past! It is a "three railway line bridge" - two on the stone bridge and one on the iron bridge beyond.
 Skelton Bridge
There are very few moorings between York and Boroughbridge but cruisers seem to be able to make the most of what they can find. The river now travels through isolated countryside with high banks and trees. Occasionally there is a break in the trees and here we spotted a foal and family posing for the camera!
 Horses and foal
The isolated mooring spots can have interesting boats on them too - this Dutch "wherry" was moored with a widebeam narrowboat in front of it! By now the sun was peeking in and out of the clouds and we were able to shed a layer of clothing!
 Wherry
Monkton Reach leads to Nun Monkton. Here, at Nun Monkton Pool, the River Nidd flows into the River Ouse. A Priory of Benedictine Nuns was founded here by William de Arches in the 12th century. Only the church of St Mary remains and it is considered to be one of the finest churches in Yorkshire. Sadly the church is not visible from the river and the only moorings available seem to be suitable for cruisers!
 Cruisers moored at Nun Monkton (River Nidd to the left)
(I have just remembered I set you a riddle a while ago - why should a boat be named "Olympic Flame"? Answer - because it never goes out! Those of us who have spent time in a marina will know what I mean!)
The River Ouse takes a very sharp right-hand bend here - in fact it is difficult to see which way to go from a distance! The northerly course passes Beningborough Hall (National Trust), but again nothing is visible from the river....
 ...except what looks like a Folly!
The spire of All Saints Church at Newton on Ouse is visible and one of the few moorings suitable for a narrowboat is at the Danway Arms - but only for patrons. Our first lock of the day was just around the corner - with an impressive, if daunting approach. We needed to keep away from the red buoys, avoid the sandbank and make for the lock landing! This had a water point on it and beyond are moorings - for £5/night.
 Linton Lock
 Beside the lock (left side) is a weir and salmon leap
Above the lock is cruiser land - the long term moorings in the lock reach and above the weir make up Linton Marina with the lock house making an handy pub. There are supposed to be visitor moorings here too, but only for one or two boats at the most I would think.
 Permanent moorings
After a couple of bends the River Ouse mysteriously becomes the River Ure - the insignificant Swale Nab marking the change - the River Swale joins the Ouse! It is also time to take a break. I shall return with tales of the Ure soon!
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