Clarence Dock Leeds.

Last evening my sister Jennifer and her husband Malcolm came to see us before we left the area.
This morning we topped up the water at the bottom of Woodlesford Lock then went up through the lock on the start of our trip into Leeds.it was decided that we would stop on our way at Thwaite Mills Industrial Museum,however, when we got there it said No Mooring along the full length of there mooring,strange. At Knostrop Fall Lock we met a couple who live in the same village as my mother, Allerton bywater. We also locked up with them at Leeds Lock, then we both pulled into Clarence dock, us for the night, them for just a visit to the Armouries.Before lunch we walked into Leeds shopping centre and had a look round the market. This area of Leeds is very much as I remember it. The afternoon was spent relaxing and cooking dinner,a Lancashire hotpot. Tomorrow we will enter the Leeds Liverpool Canal for our return trip over the Pennines.

Royal Armouries.

This morning Stephen and the boys went home.we took them up the canal and moored near Woodlesford station so they could catch a train into Leeds. Before we made the trip up the canal Domanic went fishing and caught four Perch.
Yesterday we went into Leeds to the Royal Armouries. I was surprised to at how big it was,it was also a shock to see how much Leeds had changed since I went to live in Cambridgeshire. We had a great day, which included a Tudor horse riding skills show.The show was three riders showing hunting and fighting skills. After the show we went round to the stable area to see the horses and talk to the riders,they also kept some lovely birds of prey for the falconry displays. Sunday tomorrow so we will stay at this mooring and have a relaxing day, Monday we will visit mother before we head in to Leeds on Tuesday.

Up, Up And going nowhere.

On Wednesday we spent a quiet morning at the boat. Then we went over to Richard and Gills,Then Marlene,Richard and me went down to Pamela's. The reason,Thursday Marlene and me were going Hot Air Ballooning at Grimsthorpe Castle. At 11pm we phoned the Flight line to see if the flight was on,it was. So off we went to bed ready for an early start Thursday morning.
We had a 5am alarm for a 6am meeting in the car park,then a short trip to the launch site in the castle grounds.The basket was put in place, the balloon was connected and the fans started,after a short safety talk. Unfortunately that was when the heavens opened and the thunder rumbled. Everyone took shelter in the vans till the rain stopped, however, it was decided in the interest of safety to cancel the flight. So we packed it all away,had a glass of Champagne and went back home.Now I will have to go on the Internet and arrange another date.

The Great Maggot Escape.

Today we were on the move again, we were also joined by my sister Jennifer,her daughter Mali and her son Charlie. On a trip to Town Stephen bought a fishing rod for the boys to try fishing (well I think it was for the boys).
We all went up river to Lemonroyd lock where we had a picnic lunch. It was here where Stephen caught his fish(see picture).Later we went up to Woodlesford so Jennifer, Mali and Charlie could catch there train back home. While waiting on the station Marlene phoned to say all the maggots had got out of there tub and were dropping through the roof vents. This did not please Marlene. We returned to Lemonroyd lock to moor for the night.

Night Visitors.

This is the first time we have had people camping next to the boat,Stephen and Max slept well in a cheap two man tent from Argos. I was woken up at three in the morning by the sound of someone walking on the roof. By the time I put my head out to see what was going on one of the drunks had fallen in the canal. He's just having a swim one of the others told me before I had chance to speak. He dragged himself from the water accusing the others of pushing him in, then they all ran to their car and drove off.
This morning we went to the swimming pool ,where we met up with Richard, Gill and the kids.After a good swim we all came back to the boat for lunch. In the afternoon we took Stephen and his three to see my mother. This evening Greame came to see Stephen. Moored just past us is a 1913 Barge which has been converted.

A spot of bird watching.

Before I sart todays posting I must state that the Weasel in yesterdays posting may have been a small Stoat.I'm not really sure.
Better weather today, no rain. Our eldest son Stephen and his three sons came to visit us from Thatcham in Berkshire,we haven't seen them since March so it was great seeing them again.They are in Yorkshire for a week so we will see more of them.We took them to do a spot of bird watching over on Fairburn ings, the local nature reserve. From the hide we saw a number of Canada geese,two greylag Geese And a Barnacle goose. Also in the area were swans,Heron Coots and lots of ducks.When we got back to the boat Richard,Gill and the kids arrived so we had quite a gathering.

Wild life on the Tow path.

On Friday we had a bright start to the day,although it looked like rain quite alot it held of until late evening. While looking out of the front of the boat Marlene spotted a small animal skipping up the tow path. Shouting for me to take a look. To my surprise I saw it was a Weasel,as it approached it seemed unaware we were watching it,so I grabbed the camera and took a picture,at which point it saw me and shot into the bracken at the side of the path.
Mid afternoon we decided to move to Kings Road lock for the Night so we had less traveling on Saturday morning.At Birkwood lock we locked through with a boat from Langley Mill on the Erewash. He was heading to Keadby and a trip down the tidal Trent, once again I was told it was easier than doing the Wigan Flight on the Leeds and Liverpool.
This morning we dropped down into Castleford so we can shop and pay mother another visit. Once again it was raining.Arriving at Castleford we found the flood lock closed, so I had to get off and operate the lock instead of going straight through.