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!!!