Doing the tourist bit

We have been here three days now and have done the National Railway museum, the Norvik centre, walked around the city walls etc. On Wednesday we entertained on board the prospective bride, groom & bridesmaid. Last night we went out for a meal with Matt, Ally, Tres & Lins. All the others are arriving for

York

Just a short cruise of about 5 miles up from Naburn. We arrived in York at 10:30 and moored just upstream of Lendal Bridge . The weather has changed now that we’re here. A really heavy storm on our arrival, and several smaller once since. We’ll be doing the tourist stuff for the next few

Naburn Lock

When we booked in with the lockie yesterday he said the the tide would right for out exit our onto the Ouse at 2:00. He said that he would be along at 1:30 to have a chat with us. So we spent the morning doing a bit of shopping and I had a problem at

Selby

A mixed day today. We started off on the wide & straight Aire & Calder canal. At Bank Dole lock we moved onto the River Aire. As we approached the lock another boat was coming the other way. The lock was empty, set for them, so we let them through. But they had absolutely no

Whitley Lock

Wow, we must have done something to please the weather gods! It’s been a really gorgeous, warm sunny day. Ideal boating weather. We started by working throughBramwith lockĀ  This can accommodate boats up to 200ft long! But it’s divided into sections with several sets of gates, so we only used a small section. Unlike all

Near Bramwith Lock

Today started off with a bit of excitement, within about half a mile we came upon Vazon Sliding Railway Bridge. Apparently the only one left in the world. The railway line crosses the canal just a few feet above water level. When a boat needs to pass the whole bridge slides out sideways. It’s quite

Keadby Lock

The lock keeper at Torksey said that high water would be at 12:30, so we should set off at twelve, then push against the rising tide for about an hour. This would give us a bit more time to get to Keadby. The lock at Keadby can only be used for about 5 hours either

Torksey

Yet another day of unbroken sunshine, but this time with a chilly wind to accompany it. We had planned a late cooked breakfast today, but that didn’t work out. On the river the only stopping places are at locks. The first one was too early. The lock keeper at the next lock told us that

Gunthorpe

We are now on the river Trent, the non-tidal part. We left Shardlow at about eight o’clock and shared the locks through to Nottingham with a couple going to watch an England vs South Africa game at Trent Bridge . A stop at Sainsburys to top up the fridge & grocery cupboard and then onto

Shardlow

We are now at the end of the Trent & Mersey canal where it meets the river Trent, though this part is the non-scary, not-tidal part. The scary, tidal part is yet to come! A really great day today, the weather lovely and sunny.