Urban woods

Wednesday, 19 August 2009 21:12

We are getting ever closer to Leeds

We left the moorings - known as as Ashley Lane moorings, by Salts Wharf - under a blue sky

Despite the Leeds and Liverpool Canal passing through the outskirts of Shipley it was quite pleasant, with some interesting bridges and the odd glimpse of the river one side and the railway the other.

There are a number of swing bridges on this section, three in quick succession after Shipley. This boat and this bridge caught my eye as we left.

Boat moored by restored warehouses, near to The Cut Waterside Restaurant

Gallows Footbridge

We went around a large right hand bend, which takes the canal around a wooded hill. It is very pretty and Buck Hill Swing Bridge (211), near Buck Wood, feels really isolated. It was John's turn to get off for the bridge!

Buck Hill SB

At the apex of the corner are Field 3 Locks

They are a staircase of 3, as the name implies, with a Lock Keeper in attendance. We were through these in no time, not without noticing the "BW Aware" broken ground paddle in the middle lock and the weedy bottom gates!

Leaving the locks

At Strangford Swing Bridge (211) it was my turn and as John waited for me he chatted to a workman there. He was working on a visitor centre for the sewage works - to be opened by Secretary of State for the Environment. John remarked that it would be a good day out for him! It certainly looked very swish inside with a lovely restored fireplace.

This is very near Esholt where Emmerdale is set and the "Woolpack" pub is. Now, we do not watch Emmerdale but I thought that someone would like to know that useful fact!

Strangford SB and visitor centre

Dobson Locks (a staircase of two) were next. On the sani-station moorings we saw our friends on the hire boat from Bingley Locks and another boat waiting. We went through the locks with the front boat Nb Take Five. Dave and Jan are Continuous Cruisers too and have been living aboard for 8 years. I felt quite a "baby" as I chatted with Jan as we went down! The men did the locks, of course.

We stopped at Calder Valley Marine atApperley Bridge, only to find they were shut on Wednesdays, so carried on and caught "Take Five" up, and kept company right to Rodley. There were bits of this trip where we thought we were back on the Liverpool Link! Firstly, the water was very clear and, secondly, it was very weedy with a distinct "boat track" through it! (No vists to the weed hatch though)

A weedy section

There was a good view back after Apperley towards Baildon and Shipley

We arrived at Rodley in blazing sunshine - 27 degrees! We moored before the swing bridge and hope to have diesel delivered in the next few hours! The Rodley Boat Centre bring it across the bridge in cans on a wheelbarrow!

We shall stay overnight as it is by fields and a small village. Nb Take Five has joined us too! A respite before the cruise into Leeds!

Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Shipley to Rodley - 4 hours 15 minutes, 6.72 miles. 5 locks