York and Naburn

From Goole we retraced our route on the Aire and Calder as far as Knottingley where we turned into Bank Dole Lock and onto the River Aire.  The river took us to West Haddlesey and onto the Selby Canal which we always thought was one of the prettiest canals and still do after travelling further afield.  The clear water teems with shoals of small fish, electric blue damselflies flash in the sunshine and there is an abundance of small birds in the plants and trees lining the canal. 

Tankards Bridge on the Selby Canal. 

The rural setting gives way to the outskirts of Selby and we were surprised to see some of the moorings have a one hour maximum time limit.  This is to give boaters operating the swing bridge into Selby Basin a mooring but the space allocated, enough for four narrowboats, does seem excessive.   There was space in Selby Basin so we moored up there for the night ready for an 8am lock out onto the River Ouse. 

The Ouse is tidal and the Lockie let us out on the incoming tide.  The current pushed us along and we were soon travelling at a speedy 8mph!  As the river reaches high tide we slow down but   after 2 and 1/4 hours Naburn weir and lock came into view.  Just before turning into the lock we saw a large salmon leaping in the water in front of the weir.  

The River Ouse took us on into York passing an unusual wire sculpture on Naburn Bridge. 

A wire man and his dog fishing on top of Naburn Bridge

The moorings at York are near the museum gardens, a central spot ideal for visiting the city and as with all Canal & River trust visitor moorings there is no charge for our stay.  The river at York is almost as busy as the streets.  The large tour boats tower over the small hire boats and rowing boats are out most of the day with their trainers shouting instructions from the bank or small motor boats.

On the moorings at York.  Some of the trip boats are moored up in the background.

  When it was time to leave we kept a careful eye on the river traffic before turning Brent III round and heading for the rural peace at Naburn.  At night we heard owls calling out and Ken, the Lockie, has seen a tawny owl feeding her chick in the bushes at the bottom of his garden.  Less welcome he had a swarm of bees settle in one of his trees while we were there. 

We had visitors for Father's Day weekend.  Shaun, Laura, Nic, Gaz and all the grandkids came over on Saturday and as always it was good to see everyone again.  Nic and Gaz stayed on the Naburn Lock Caravan Site so we were able to enjoy the evening and a barbeque with them.   On Sunday we all enjoyed an excellent carvery lunch at the Blacksmiths Arms in Naburn.

Our journey from Goole to York and back to Naburn