A cut above the rest

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A cut above the rest

Friday, 14 August 2009 16:25

Leeds and Liverpool from Skipton - very pretty, but with reminders of the industrial past

The canal from Skipton is a cut above the rest, literally, as it travels along above the valley created by the River Aire. This is also the route of the main road and the railway so in parts they can be a little intrusive. Beyond are the Dales and the countryside on the off side reaches away in rolling hills and vales.

Leaving Skipton Basin there is modern housing where factories once stood

Soon though we were looking back at Skipton as we entered the countryside leaving Skipton

Once again we were into swing bridge country and Snaygill Swing Bridge (SB) and Snaygill Stone Bridge (182) brought us to Snaygill Boats. There is a small wharf and shop here, followed by a line of permanent moorings.

Snaygill shop

We were aiming to get to somewhere around Bradley for "late morning" to meet up with Stuart and Carole from NABO, who were moored just before Bradley SB. A lovely spot and near a post office and small stores.

Moored before Bradley SB (182A)

We had coffee with Stuart and Carol on their narrow dutch barge, before they set off towards Skipton. They passed on lots of tips about cruising towards, into and beyond Leeds and recommended a couple of mooring spots. As we are soon going to be on completely new territory, we appreciated this a lot!

After lunch we set off again and I went to open the SB - easy as it was electric!

Each mill has a little town that grew up around it - this is Cononley

The countryside is lovely - as I said - and even my limited camera managed to produce some good shots - but oh for my wide angle lens!

Farnhill Bridge (183A)

The hillsides ahead, around Kildwick

I love the name of SB 184 - Milking Hill. Now doesn't that conjure up a lovely picture of cows, pastoral scenes and milkmaids on their stools! Well, it does to me!

Looking back at Milking Hill SB

Hidden above this is Farnhill Hall - a 14th century castellated stone Manor House on an outcrop. It looks lovely nestling in the woods with green pastures all around (no pic, as I did not have enough zoom!).

Kildwick village soon appeared rising above us on our left - it has very steep streets and the canal does interesting things here!

Canalside buildings, now housing, before Redman SB (185) in Kildwick

At last I had found the village that made such an impression on me. I have a memory of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal travelling through a narrow section with a wall on one side, bending around, with the road going under it!

Canal through Kildwick

The road goes under the canal here, but it is not really clear unless you get off and walk - the bank vegetation obscured it from the canal, also a large white van was parked just in the wrong place! Looking back you can see the road and the beginning of the vegetation!

Redman SB and road by canal

Parsons Bridge is at the end of this "cut" with moorings beyond before yet another SB!

It was time to moor up - but we went through Warehouse SB first to moor nearer to Grange SB (188). The A629 that had accompanied us in the Aire Valley began to swing away and although it was a little noisy it did not disturb us at night. The real noise came from the three tractors that were plying their way up and down the fields below, gathering in the silage.

We moored happily and I was able to get a few evening shots as the sun went down

You can just see a tractor and the river glinting down below