The Homecoming - Well.....for Mike Anyway......

Fife is but a distant memory today, as we sit in the boat moored in the centre of York at the museum gardens and yet again - feels like home.......How did we get here?? 
We left Lemonroyd Marina on Wednesday lunchtime and travelled just a couple of hours to Castleford, or CasVegas as Mike calls it.  Our lock companions shouted as they left, "Don't leave anything of value outside....!!!"  :(  I am happy to report we had an uneventful evening at CasVegas.

A tidy wee mooring at Castleford beautified by the rainbow.

 The next morning, we locked out of CasVegas with NB Omega and continued on the Aire and Calder.  Water levels were low and there was little movement on the river.  Lots of herons, some kingfishers darting around made it a lovely cruise and we easily reached West Haddlesley lock which took us onto the Selby canal.

Passing below the M1 - much more pleasant than being on it!!

NB Omega coming out of the flood gate at Ferrybridge

 

Moored at the start of the Selby Canal, just below West Haddlesley Lock

 We were now well within driving distance for a lot of Mike's friends and the stream began on Thursday at West Haddlesley with the arrival of Fran - fast climbing the charts to top position of our Most Frequent Visitor (MFV) :)  We enjoyed a pint in the George and Dragon, where we had arranged to meet with Craig and Hayley for some food.  We'd seen them in Leeds and Craig seemed keen to challenge Fran on the MFV chart.... A meal and a pint ended up as quite a session and whilst I can remember getting back to the boat, can't remember going to bed - ooooooops!!
I know I did though, because I woke up in it the next morning, feeling less than crisp......
Craig had decided that rather than do all the chores he had planned for Friday, he'd cruise with us to Selby (sorry Fran) and arrived by bike, having left his van at Selby and cycled to us.  He went to change out of his cycling gear and emerged a few moments later......

Asking as he appeared, "Am I dressed appropriately????" - Fantastic!!!!

We stopped at Brayton to cycle to Brayton Barff (snigger.....), not a pile of vomit, but a hillock, the top of which you can see York Minster from on a clear day.  It was quite clear but none of our eyesight is that good....Thankfully Craig changed back into his cycling gear for this bit of the trip.....

Swing bridge taking us into the basin at Selby

Moored at Selby basin, the end of the Selby canal.  Below the lock is left to York and right to Goole

We had a nice couple of days in Selby visiting the impressive Abbey (just missing gatecrashing a wedding by minutes...) looking in on Mike's Dad, Mum and Uncle Paul's grave, and catching up with his cousin once removed, Christine, who owns the Malt Shovel pub which is just round the corner from the basin - how handy...... We'd hoped to catch up with more of Mike's dad's side of the family, but we'll catch them on the way back.  We caught up with friends Eileen and John on the Saturday, and Dave popped round for a brew - looking to get his hands back on the MFV title, so cruelly taken by Fran, and challenged by Craig. John put in a last minute bid by deciding to join us on Sunday to go up the Ouse to York, after he had done his 60mile charity cycle in the morning!!!
I didn't blame him when we saw the weather the next day....

Wooohooooo - we score with the weather for our debut on the Ouse

Our window was 1.30pm to catch the tide to take us upstream and the lockie reminded us of passage through the bridges etc to stay safe.  Then we popped out of the lock and shot up the river!!

Heading onto the Ouse

Bit of a tipple as we turn into the tide - the kettle landed on the floor, but otherwise, smoothly done Mr Q!!

The much talked of Cawood Swing Bridge - the channels get very narrow and the flow faster, so you're warned to stay in the middle of the middle span, as you can get sucked onto the bridge if you're not careful.

The Red Arrows provided a fly-by for our home-coming as we approached Naburn Lock, which marks the end of the tidal section of the Ouse

A Happy Crew says goodbye to John at Naburn

We continued on enjoying the late afternoon sunshine with building excitement as we got closer to York.

Nice sculpture on the old East Coast Mainline bridge

Approaching Millenium Bridge, where we were expecting fireworks and streamers to welcome us home......

We made do with stopping by the Ice Cream boat instead :)

Having picked up an additional 8 passengers, we were now at our limit (12) before requiring a commercial license to carry passengers, we continued into York.

Passing the second ice cream boat on our way - I think I'm going to really enjoy York - YUM!!!

Quaintrelle comes home to York (she WAS actually built in Weedon........)

Passing familiar river haunts - CityScreen

We moored up beyond Lendal Bridge and cracked open some fizz to celebrate.  There is a picture of us all somewhere I think.... I'm hoping Vicki has it and will email it.
It feels great to be here.  We've met up with a few friends already and looking forward to seeing many more and doing some touristy stuff - and some planning on where we go after York!!!

Leaving Leeds For Fife - Coooommmmme Ooonnnn Ye Paaaaaaa-aaaaarsss!

We intended to leave our mooring at Granary Wharf around 10am on Monday morning and would travel down the locks with Dave and Lynne on Spirit, who'd been our neighbours for a couple of nights.  Lynne had never done a river before so was a bit nervous.  However, we received an email alert from CRT just after 8am, saying following the heavy rain the day before, the lock gates were closed at Knostrop.  It was an 'Advice' alert, rather than a 'closure' one, but we thought if the flood gates were locked then the navigation would be closed.  We rang CRT and they advised us to stay put and wait for an update.  No update ever appeared but watching the water levels and speaking to other boaters, we left about 1pm, with the water level markers on amber.  

Waiting for River Lock in central Leeds which will drop us 11 feet into the River Aire.

Although the water levels were okay, there was quite a flow as you came out of the lock - we felt like a cork being popped from a bottle of champagne.

Getting alongside the pontoon on the other side of the gates was going to prove tricky - well not so much getting on it as the current would push us that way, but we'd struggle to get back off.  So the gent in the green t-shirt kindly offered to shut the gate for us and our crews came onboard whilst we were in the lock, then both exited out the one gate.  People are often keen to help and I accept every offer!!  At this point I handed the tiller to Mike, held on tight and we rode the rapids down towards Leeds Dock (also known as Clarence Dock) and Leeds lock.

Looking back towards Leeds - they've done a great job regenerating the waterfront.

Very pretty bridge just before the extremely tight right-hand turn whilst the water tries to drag your back end towards the weir.  I was glad Mike was steering - he handled it brilliantly.

 The water calmed down after this though we were still able to get a bit of speed up on the river.  The flood gates at Knostrop were now open and the water level was almost back on the green of the marker board, so we sailed through.  Soon we hit our first lock on the river.  I'm so glad we went in a pair as I'd have felt really guilty filling this one for just ourselves!!

Knostrop Fall lock  - room for one more do you think???

 There used to be a lot of commercial traffic on the Aire and Calder and apparently there still is, but we didn't see any on this section and none of the locks were manned anymore.  It's not the prettiest section of river we've ever done, but it was a nice cruise nonetheless and we enjoyed Dave and Lynne's company at the locks.  A few hours later and we reached Lemonroyd marina (a half hour drive by car from Leeds!!) where we were booked in for a week.  NB Spirit were carrying on, but were brought to a halt at Lemonroyd lock as the red light was flashing and the navigation below was closed due to high water levels so they had to pull onto the mooring and wait with another two boats for clearance to proceed.  I think it was cleared later that evening.  
On Tuesday morning it was a really early start for us with a taxi arriving to take us to Leeds station at 6.15am :(  Mike took a train to Grantham to work and I headed to Fife to lodge with mum for a week while I organised new tenants for the flat.  Thing is, mum was on holiday in Pittenweem for the week with my brother John and his kids Helen and Alex so I was home alone.  I used the time well, catching up with my friend Fiona and her kids Ruan and Elspeth on Tuesday afternoon; playing in the garden, playing on the swings and playing on the beach - it was great :) I had tea with them on Thursday and went to the local pub quiz in Burntisland, where we teamed up with Fe's friends Helen and Kirsty - and WE WON THE QUIZ!!!!  I think our 9/10 on the Disney Round was what got us there ;)
On Wednesday, I headed to Edinburgh to bid farewell to my lovely tenants for the last 15 months, and get the flat advertised for new ones.  There is a whole saga regarding a broken oven and subsequent replacement, but having lived through it once, I really can't be bothered reliving it here, and I know you're not really THAT interested.......
So, flat advertised on Gumtree at 9.30pm, by 9 am the next morning I have 40+ replies, so I took the ad down and contacted the first few who looked suitable in terms of entrydate and length of lease they were looking for.  Viewings on Friday saw the keys being handed over to the delightful Aiste and Gvidas on Monday morning.  Yep, they're all moved in.  But they don't have a working oven yet....... told you it was a saga.........  Thankfully I have my wonderful Odd Job Woman, Nancy to assist with all the annoying stuff - I couldn't have done this so smoothly without her - thanks hon x
Anyway, back to the fun stuff - woooohooooo!!  Friday night, mum, John, Helen and Alex and Queenie all arrived home, the family members safely delivered by my other brother Murray, who stayed for a curry as his taxi fee ;)  It was lovely to be all together, but we missed Julie, Murray's wife, as she couldn't fit in the car with the others in it.
Saturday is football day - Coooommmmme ooonnnn Yeee Paaaaaa-aaaarrsss!!!  John, Helen and Alex are devoted Dunfermline Athletic (known as The Pars) fans and Mike and I were happy to join them at a home match that afternoon.

Mike and Helen ate all the pies at half time

Serious stuff this football you know

 

Until a goal is scored - 3-1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John and Alex quite happy with the end result - tho' it was a game of two halves!!

On Sunday we went for a lovely walk along the shore at Dalgety Bay - this all just 5 mins from my mum's house.

Looking out toward Inchcolm Island over the point.

Helen, John Mike and Alex - the GOAL cards proved to be good swatting instruments and there was much hilarity as Alex tried to catch out his Aunty!!

Nice day for a sail on the Firth of Forth

On Sunday evening, Murray and Julie came for tea, so we had a great evening with the family altogether for the first time in over a year we think.
Monday saw us bid farewell to John and the kids as they headed back to Kendal and on Tuesday Mike and I returned to Quaintrelle for the next leg of our adventure.
It's funny, but I usually don't feel that Fife is my home when I go back now, but this time was different.  I don't know if it's because I stayed longer, or because I was surrounded by my complete immediate family, but I saw how beautiful Fife is, with it's rolling golden fields and blue water - well, it was blue while we were there.  I don't know.  But I felt sad to leave.  I love Fife.  I love my family more xxx

 

Yorkshire - Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day

Thou art more lovely and more temperate.  Well, let's face it, anything is more lovely and more temperate than the current UK summer (and I use that term loosely!!) conditions :( It rained heavily through Thursday night and all day Friday, so I sat like a hermit waiting for my ray of sunshine to return home that evening.  We treated ourselves to a lovely meal in The Bistro in Skipton, where the waiter accidentally put our order in his pocket instead of to the kitchen, so gave us some complimentary wine to make up for our wait.  On Saturday we got a pumpout (must have been the wine) and some diesel and moved onto the 24 hour moorings at the entrance to the Springford Arm

Lovely central mooring in Skipton

 We had booked train tickets for the Saturday to go from Skipton to Carlisle, which takes in the scenic Settle-Carlisle line across the Dales.  However, Pigeon-gate almost scuppered our plans.  Having moored up, as above, the first thing I saw was a wee puffed-up, very uncomfortable looking pigeon.  I went out and it was alive but didn't move when I went close.  I put some seed down to it which it ate, but as the other pigeon's also gathered to feast, they started beating this one up.  Mike phoned the RSPCA and they said someone would come out at 6pm that evening, could we contain it.  Well, this was 12 noon and our train was at half 1.  We said we'd do what we could - realising that we may end up spending the afternoon watching a pigeon in a box instead of lovely scenery from a train window!!  A local couple had appeared to feed the ducks, as they did everyday, and said the Wee Pigeon had been there all week.  It was its feet :(  They were all green and swollen and scabby - some sort of infection I guess - bumblefoot??  So it couldn't walk, so wasn't feeding and was very weak.  The couple on the boat in front found a box and some old towels, so we prepared to 'contain' WP.  She wasn't for going in the box and made a huge effort and flew up, away and landed on the roof of the boathouse across the canal :(  And that was that.  We had to cancel the RSPCA and we never saw Wee again.  I like to think that she made some startling recovery and is currently enjoying being fed in Skipton...... Meanwhile, it was 1.15pm and we ran for the train.
It was worth running for:

Not only was there a trolley service on the train, they were selling local home-made ice cream from it!!!

Out of the right window.

And from the left...

 It was a lovely journey with the sky going from clear blue to stormy black and adding to the beauty of the countryside.  We wish we could have done the journey on a steam train but the one running hadn't worked out timewise for us :(
Sunday we took a short scenic hop to Kildwick, where we met up with Kathleen and John and where the local ducks made themselves at home on the front deck.

Mike's turn to operate one of the many swing bridges.

"You're not allowed bread so you'll have cake and tea and be done with it!"

 We were now on our way to Leeds, very slowly as we didn't want to be there til the end of the week.  It is such a lovely part of the country that it's really easy just to dawdle along.

Monday night's mooring near Riddlesden golf course.

 As we've just been doing short days, we've had a chance to catch up on the boat maintenance and got one side of the boat's blacking touched up (above the water line only!!).  I'd got a coat of varnish on the windows, so we were quite pleased with ourselves, and the weather that had allowed these tasks to be done.  On Monday evening I decided to go for a short run, but when I got back to the boat, my GPS tracker showed I had run 6.49 miles in 49 mins and 42 seconds!!!!  I was really pleased with myself.
Tuesday, the forecast looked dry all day, so I started to rub back the shutters to get a coat of varnish on them.  However, no sooner had I got them sanded back, I felt spots of rain.  Well, it came on, and it stayed on, getting heavier and heavier, and yet, the Met Office App on my phone was still showing No Rain for the rest of the day!!!  Grrrrrr...... we had to close the shutters to protect them as we made our way to the top of the Bingley Five Rise Locks.
Wednesday dawned bright and reasonably warm and we rewarded ourselves (for what?? Getting up before 9??) with a cooked breakfast at the top lock cafe while we filled with water.  Mike's friend Fran was joining us for the day as he was keen to see the locks in action.  By the time we were ready to go, NB Nutmeg and her crew had arrived so we had someone to lockshare with and with three lockies on duty we were down the flight in a blink of an eye.

Locking down the Bingley Five Rise with NB Nutmeg

Bingley Five Rise is a staircase flight, which means you come straight of one lock into the next.  This is a very steep flight so it was good to have the wonderful lockies on hand to assist.

 We continued on through Saltaire, Shipley, Apperley Bridge and moored in the middle of nowhere.  The sunny day had typically turned to rain in the early afternoon, so we were all quite pleased to pull up.

Fran at the helm coming through Saltaire.

 On Thursday (that'll be today!), we decided to come into Leeds.  There were a couple of staircase flights to come through, assisted by some more obliging lockies and some more swing bridges.  As boaters, we are advised not to stop overnight in Kirkstall, and the lock keeper there said the neds usually appear around 1pm, at which point he locks all the anti-vandal locks up again between boats (having left them unlocked in between in the morning).  The thing is, it's a really pretty bit of canal, but apparently a rather rough housing estate is just the other side of the pretty woods.

Coming through Kirkstall

 

Leeds Industrial Museum in a lovely setting on the outskirts of the city.

And suddenly you're out of the woods and into Leeds!!

Our mooring in Leeds at Granary Wharf.

We're planning to be in Leeds over the weekend if anyone is around and fancies a visit?!?! ;)  Then we will  be storing Quaintrelle in a marina for a week or so whilst Mike goes to work and I go to find new tenants for the flat in Edinburgh.  
Meanwhile, if anyone in Skipton sees a Wee Pigeon with sore feet, please look after it ;)

Skip, Skip, Skip to Skipton

It was with some reluctance that we left our rural mooring outside of Gargrave.

View from our bedroom porthole.

Sun setting across the Dales.

But we were up sharp on Saturday morning to cruise into Skipton.  It was a glorious day, warm and with a large golden orb in the sky - just perfect :)

The cruise was uneventful but intensely enjoyable - we even managed to time it right that we only did a couple of the swing bridges, the others were all opened for us by other boats coming the other way. 
 

Gorgeous weather, gorgeous boat, gorgeous scenery - simply gorgeous!!

We arrived in Skipton late morning, just in time for a milky coffee and Mr Kipling's Bakewell tart - our current morning snack of choice.  The moorings were busy, but there was one, and as I began manouevering into it, a boat further down pulled out so we went a little bit closer to the centre.  We spent the rest of the day checking out Skipton and enjoying some chips from Bizzie Lizzie's.

The next day we went to Skipton Castle.  This is a delightful little castle, well restored and a good tour on the sheets provided.

View from the Castle.

The Yew Tree planted in the 1600s in the central courtyard.

 We then made use of the Morrison's and Majestic wine shops that were within a five minute walk of the boat :)

Monday (after my run, 4.5 miles in 34.49 mins - ya beauty!!!) saw us preparing for the arrival of the Birthday Girl - Vicki Robertson and family, and friends, James and Sue.  We put balloons and banners on the boat, had champagne and snacks and of course birthday cake that Vicki's daughter Caitlin had made (and transported from York in one piece!!). 

It was a lovely day, windy but sunny and all the boaters and gongoozlers wished Vicki many happy returns as they passed.

Caitlin and her twin Oliver, took the kayak out for sail and triumphantly outran the swan who was fairly aggressively protecting her large cygnets.

How many men does it take to work out which way round the seats go??

Ollie and Caitlin escape the wrath of the swan.

On Tuesday, it was an early start for Mike who headed off to work on the 7.18am train.  It was an early start for me too, til I fell asleep and woke up again at 10....... oooops :)  It was quite cool, but I had a jaunt round the shops, read magazines and well, just pootered about really.  Same on Wednesday, except I did a water run.  I knew I should be doing something like waxing the bathroom, or varnishing the windows, but - well, I couldnae be ersed - as we say in Fife ;)  It was lovely and sunny so I sat outside and read, in between some errands and doing the laundry.  Oh the life of a Work Widow.......
Thursday, similar to Wednesday - EXCEPT - I got the piano out for the first time since leaving Weedon.  Sat for three hours trying to learn a song.....and I started waxing the bathroom - not at the same time as playing the piano of course, my multitasking has its limitations.   I then sat down to do this blog and couldn't find it - was logging in with the wrong account - Google - too confusing!!!  And I think that's about it.  I've probably missed off some eureka piece of information that would have made this worth you tuning in, but hey ho..... there's always next week!