We could have left Castleford yesterday, but I was waiting for a package to arrive at the local Argos which didn’t arrive until noon. By this time the predicted heavy showers had arrived, and stayed with us all afternoon and evening. So we chose to stay put and get an early start today.
A fine sunset on Thursday evening
Heading off to Castleford Lock at 08:17!
Yesterday’s rain pushed the river up a foot, and I was concerned that they might have closed the flood lock. But the level had dropped by six inches this morning and the lock was still open both ends. It wouldn’t have been a problem had it been shut, we’d just have had an extra one to do today.
Through Castleford Flood Lock
After spending several days relying on solar power and tick-over charging the batteries were sucking up the amps providing by the two alternators as I wound up the revs out on the river! 90.8 amps!
There’s not much to see along here, trees on the banks obscure any views. There used to industry along here, all long gone now, of course. Several collieries used the river as a means of transportation for coal, on both sides of the river. Opencast mining also took place on the north side of the river, delivered to loading staithes by wagon. At this time, up to the mid 20th century, the navigation ran in Methley Cut, with Kippax Lock to the east and Lemon Royd Lock to the west. Subsidence from this activity caused the channel to be re-routed into the natural-looking river route we use today.
1950s route, with Methley Cut, Kippax Lock and the old location of Lemon Royd Lock
Current route. Parts of the old Methley Cut can still be discerned.
The new position of Lemonroyd Lock is just off picture.
Maps from http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=15&lat=53.7456&lon=-1.4038&layers=10&b=1 . Use slider at bottom left to change transparency of overlay.
The removal of Kippax Lock explains the depth of Lemonroyd Lock. It has to cope with the change in river height for both that and the old Lemon Royd Lock.
Lemonroyd Lock, 14½ feet deep
All the locks today were on self-service, and all were tackled on our own!
We got caught in a heavy shower while the lock was emptying, Mags was all right though, she was inside…
Above the lock is a disused oil terminal and a short arm leading to the site of Fleet Lock, dropping down onto the river. From Lemonroyd to the flood lock at Knostrop the navigation is entirely artificial with the river running to the north and east.
Tanks and wharf at Fleet Oil Terminal
Woodlesford and Fishpond Locks were passed, the navigation now passing under the M1 and entering the southern fringes of Leeds.
Giraffe in the garden at Fishpond Lock
Concrete bowstring bridge, one of a pair crossing the canal and then the river. The M1 crossing can be seen beyond.
Flood allevaition work is still going on at Knostrop
Cormorant-shaped bookends…
The service pontoon has been repaired after the floods…
Last December…
We went up Leeds Lock, below the Royal Armouries Museum (well worth a visit) and carried on through the city.
Leeds Lock, Knights Way Footbridge and the Royal Armouries on the right
We didn’t intend to moor in Clarence Dock, fortunate really as there was no room on the visitor moorings.
Elegant Crown Point Bridge
ASDA headquarters
It started to rain again (you can see the spots on the lens on the above picture) so that was the last picture. But around the corner is River Lock, and out came the windlass. From now on all the locks are manually operated.
There was plenty of space on the moorings at Granary Wharf, we finished up near where we spent several days during the floods last December.
A long day coming up for tomorrow; up the locks out of Leeds.
Locks 6, miles 10½
No comments:
Post a Comment