Selby

No rush to make a start today and it was a bright, sunny day as promised. It remained so all day - in fact for one of the very rare days so far this year we had to put on sun screen for the midday sun.The wide clear space of this commercial waterway was all but deserted - a couple of plastic boats raced up and overtook us (making limited eye contact in the process) - but otherwise we had it all to ourselves.

Kellingley Colliery

The first major landmark - there are even very few bridges - was Kellingly Colliery one of the small number of coal mines still producing in this country. the legacy of the mining industry is all around with subsidence widespread. The canal banks have had to be well piled to contain the water when the land around has sunk significantly.

Skew Bridge

Bank Dole Lock

Just beyond the aptly named Skew Bridge we arrived at the junction where we turned right to head down the River Aire to Selby via Bank Dole Lock. Although we came through the junction five years ago in Canal 40, it was 1971 when we navigated to or from Selby. At that time the river was still heavily polluted and we recall this lock because foam from the adjacent weir - cause by the detergents from the woollen industry much further upstream - had blown back into the lock chamber (with the gates open) and we had to descend into it as the lock emptied. Although it looked white, it was in fact carrying filthy black soot which quickly covered everything! There was also only a very awkwardly placed ladder to return to the boat - which is probably why the gates were left open!

Bank Dole Lock - Lower Landing

Today it is very different. The water is very clean as a result of the regulation of discharges into the river and there is also now a proper landing stage - still not easy to use as the boat has to be reversed onto it after leaving the lock on the downside.

Forty years ago we would not have seen any herons. This time there seemed to be a number - or was it just the same one flying around to greet us at various stages down the river?

River Aire

The river scenery was not as attractive as the River Don - flat arable land surrounds the river, or once industrial land now flattened - and few trees or shrubs soften the banks. Nevertheless it was not unpleasant and the tightly curved course keeps the steerer well awake.

Beal Lock Weir

Although Beal Lock is built very deep to take into account flooding, the actual normal fall is around 500 mm as can be seen from the weir alongside.

The only moving craft we saw on the river was a small speed boat from the nearby water ski club. Since jet skis are banned, this is perhaps the next best thing and good for taking youngsters out.

West Haddlesey

Eventually the well manicured gardens of the homes in West Haddlesey came into view shortly followed by the landing stage for the lock that would take us off the river and onto the Selby Canal. Although a flood lock, the gates were closed today but the fall from the river to the canal was very small.

West Haddlesey Lock landing

As soon as we were through the lock we stopped on the moorings for lunch and a chance to sit in the pleasant sunshine.

West Haddlesey Lock

Off again at it was a little strange to be on a much narrower canal - after so many miles on rivers and wide canals. Even so, this is not a narrow canal and deep water meant that we cruised along at a speed unlikely in more familiar waters of the Midlands.

The still waters encourage myriads of damsel flies which generally skim close to the water surface but one kindly posed on the herbs on top of the boat! There were plenty of  wild flowers to spot.

Our battery voltage was again very low this morning - we have been plagued with this problem for a long time now. We suspected that we might need new batteries after finding them completely flat at Clayworth so we stopped at Selby Boat Centre just on the approach into the town. They were particularly helpful and really did not want to sell us new batteries if at all possible since the existing ones are only about 6 weeks old. helped by our suspicions about the solar panel the investigated and although they did not find a full explanation they did identify that somethings was amiss and most likely draining the batteries overnight without showing up on the management panel. They installed a fuse which can also be used to disconnect the panel - so we now have to wait and see what happens.

Whilst waiting, Christine had a good look at a new steam powered launch, looking very smart after its first trip out. It had taekn its owner 11 years to build!

We continued to the basin above the river lock - the moorings were all taken but we were able to use the water point and sani station. We turned around and passed back through the swing bridge and moored on the 1 hour section. Not clear why there should be 1 hour moorings (it does not take that long to open and close a powered bridge!) but another boat was also moored there and they had checked with the lock keeper. A number of boats are going out on the tide late tomorrow morning so perhaps we will find a 48 hour mooring after that. Rather than go on down to the River Derwent we plan to explore from here for a couple of days.

13.8 miles - 3 locks