First Visitors aboard

3 May

Leeds to Kirkstall

We waited outside The Royal Armoury until our first visitors arrived. Donna and Sharon (cousins) landed in UK on 2^nd from Sydney. Their train was late from London so we were going nowhere. 

It had rained steadily overnight and river was up on red mark which meant we couldn’t proceed if we wanted to but by the time the girls turned up at 2pm the rain had stopped and the river had lowered to amber.

We also found out that once we got through Leeds Lock 1 we had no more Auto Locks and the hard work was starting. Donna was given quick lessons on how narrow locks worked and was put to work.

We moored by 6.30pm outside the former Kirkstall Brewery and now the student Hall accommodation for the University.

We headed to The Bridge for a drink and some food only to find out that they were not serving food that night.  Pete loved the Ale which had NZ hops and more.

We girls drank wine and all rolled back to boat, you would have thought we hadn’t caught up 6 months ago, we never learn.

TOTAL- 3 Miles - 7 locks

4 May

Kirkstall to Horsforth

Donna and Sharron headed to Kirstall Abbey and came back amazed at how old it is. 

Kirkstall Abbey

We took off around 9.30 and had one lock and two 3 rise locks and 3 swing bridges to get to Horsforth.

In Rodley we had managed to final find Diesel and pumpout, we had been looking for days and have already learnt never pass up an opportunity to restock or empty.

getting pumpout

By 1pm we headed to the Owl in Rodley for lunch and had phoned Dianne and the boys and Alfred to join us.

After lunch we moved on to a more suitable mooring in Horsforth and changed pubs to Railway Inn and where Rachael joined us and we cured our hangovers by topping up. Had a great family get together.

Totally amazed at how many dogs were in this pub. The English and their dogs.

TOTAL – 3 miles - 7 locks - 3 swing bridges with hangovers.

5 May

Horsforth to Shipley

Got rid of our visitors who headed back to London and we set off in drizzle towards Shipley just before 10.  Fantastic fun catching up with people but we are ready to move on.

Lots of swing bridges and locks. We managed to get help from another boater at Apperley Bridge lock which was a 2 rise and we were lucky enough to get to Field 3 Rise between the magic hours. These locks are only manned between 1 and 2 by Canal Trust.

In the middle rise we got to pass another boat going into the lock we just came out. This is the 2^nd time we have done this. The guy on his boat was amazed he had been on canals for 30 years and had never passed another boat in a lock.

Have moored in the heart of Shipley tonight and we will replenish the cupboards and then head towards Bingley

TOTAL – 6 miles – 5 locks – 7 swing bridges