Selby, Abbey and Knottingley

Yes, it's confession time: Mike grounded the boat on a sand bank at the inside of a river bend. Well, perhaps 85% his fault but there were extenuating circumstances and we'll come to that later.

Our plan today was to visit Selby Abbey, do some shopping and then set off around lunch time. We walked along the road beside the river - there are several interesting old buildings that date back to when this was a thriving inland port. Today, not only has that trade disappeared but also many of the sites that it supported. Alongside the junction of the river and the canal there was once a large timber depot but that is now several blocks of recently built apartments.

The original railway terminus would pass unremarked were it not for the plaque on the wall explaining what once happened here.

Attempts have been made to create attractive quiet spaces alongside the river - although the water is generally not visible from here as dense undergrowth conceals the tidal waters. Christine was amused by this statue.

A little further and this amphitheatre seems to have had little use - but it was a good idea!

When we reached the centre of the town we could see that the abbey's clergy were waiting at the gate for a funeral party. So a change of plan - we went shopping first, exploring some of the old narrow streets, took the goods back to the boat and then returned to visit the abbey.

Selby Abbey

The abbey is simply splendid - many echoes of York Minster but not only on a more manageable scale but also better used for the local community - it is the town's parish church despite its origins in the 12th century as part of a huge abbey community - the rest of the buildings have long since disappeared.

East Window

King David

There is an incredible collection of stained glass - the huge East Window only just survived the 1906 fire which otherwise did much damage that took several years to restore. Each section in the window is very detailed, amazing that it was made around 1330.

The Green Man Roof Boss

Gargoyles, roof bosses and carved pillar heads abound.

Edward VII

Some of the pillar heads are not only carved on the outside but also hollowed out. In one case the mason carved an image of Edward VII right inside.


Nave

Choir

Sedile

We took many more photos - room here to include just a few more.

Haddesley Lock

Time flew by and eventually we returned to the boat and set off once more, re-tracing our steps along the Selby Canal to West Haddlesey Lock - as Mike took our boat gingerly out of the lock, warned by Christine that there was a boat coming down river to the landing stage, but it suddenly decided to come into the lock at speed, narrowly missing us in the process!

We anticipated a quiet cruise back up the River Aire but it was not without incident! Not long after we joined the river we passed the water ski club where a boat was preparing to make a run - they came past us at speed a few minutes later, three skiers behind one boat.

This itself was not an issue. However, Mike wanted to give them as much space as possible but the river also has some very tight bends. Normally we would give these a wide berth - the bends are so tight that the length of our boat makes it necessary to time the turning quite carefully. However, shame on it. on one bend Mike caught a sand bank jutting well out into the river and we were stuck. It took some ten minutes to free ourselves. Eventually, with the aid of our long pole we managed to prise ourselves clear - just as the speed boat kindly came back to see if we needed help.

We continued upstream, now rather relieved, but very much in the centre of the channel! As it happened, nor more runs were made by the water skiers!

Beal Lock

Beal Bridge

We passed through Beal Lock  - Beal Bridge showed how stuff collects when the river is in flood - and then another long stretch of twisting bends before arriving at Bank Dole.


River Aire

Above the lock we moored as planned - this short visitor mooring is not in the guide books but we spotted it on the way down. Somewhat industrial location but the immediate area is pleasant enough.

11.6 miles - 3 locks