Full Circle

The Aire and Calder is our home canal and we were pleased to see the familiar control panel at Knostrop Fall Lock which along with all the other locks on this canal, is electronically operated.   At the touch of a button the sluices are raised and when the lock has filled or emptied another button opens the heavy lock gates.  

The control panel for locks on the Aire and Calder

The locks on this canal have been built to accommodate 600 tonne sand and gravel barges and are considerably bigger than most locks on the canal network.  Some locks have an extra set of lock gates so the full lock only needs to be used for the commercial barges.

Looking down Bulholme Lock from the top lock towards the centre lock gates.   The orange marker for the bottom gates can be seen just above the tree line on the left of the canal.   The building houses the controls for the lock-keepers.

We moored up at Woodlesford for a few days and enjoyed sitting out in the sun for a change.  The new butcher's shop, next to the Co-Op, was excellent so we called in again before leaving.

Our next stop was Castleford, a small town with all the facilities for boaters.  The plentiful moorings are a short walk from the town centre and as the Bank Holiday approached boats started to arrive.  On Saturday morning Cath, John and the kids joined us for the weekend  followed by Lynne, Gary and their friends.  

The weather was glorious so we were able to sit out all day, enjoy our first barbecue of the year and chat around the fire until the early hours.  Bess was pleased to see her old friends Roxy and Shanti and sat outside Lynne's boat waiting for Shanti to come out.  

We're often asked about our arrangements for health services.  In common with many boaters we've remained registered with our existing dentist and doctor.  The time has come for our check-ups but a secure mooring is needed for Brent III so we can stop over in Rotherham.   Luckily Sue and John at Viking Marina are able to accommodate us.  

On our return journey to Goole we passed two very different types of boat.  As we left  Ferrybridge we came across a Dragon Boat Race.  

Dragon Boat at Ferrybridge

Near Goole we passed the commercial barge Battlestone loaded with sand.
  

Battlestone creating waves as it passes.

  Mooring up at Viking Marina felt like coming home.  Since setting sail from here we've travelled 644 miles and come through 354 locks.  

Our journey from River Lock, Leeds to Viking Marina