On the move again

More of the "Green Stuff"

Saturday 22nd July

We have finally left Selby after spending a few days there amongst the now rotting duck weed CRT are finally trying to shift it but in the basin it is really thick and the top layer is decomposing and emitting a rather unpleasant smell as it does so. This type of weed does not normally present a problem to the boater as it floats on the surface and does not get near the prop; what it does do when it is as thick as this, however, is gather between the bank and the boat preventing mooring up. 

I went for a swim in Selby baths on Thursday, first in ages (thankfully no duck weed here!) to test out my shoulder prior to getting the train back to Horsforth for a physio appointment on Friday (21/7).
Saturday morning was very wet, with heavy rain for most of the morning, once the rain cleared we returned to the smelly basin to take on water etc before heading down to the end of the canal at West Haddlesey. 

Haddlesey Mooring

The sun came out as we gently made our way down the canal with dragonflies all around us.  Once moored we went for a walk along the riverbank to  Chapel Haddlesey to explore the weir that marks the end of the tidal river Aire.

Weir at end of tidal section

Site of the old Tidal Lock

There used to be a lock here giving access to the tidal stretch and onto the Ouse. This was a hazardous trip as the river is shallow and could only be undertaken during certain tides.  In 1778 the Aire and Calder company opened the Selby canal thus bypassing the tidal stretch and at the same time turning Selby into a bustling port. 

There is no evidence of the lock to be seen save the lock keepers cottage and and old stable. The lock cut around the weir still exists but is now used as a feeder to two large Archimedes screws situated where the lock once stood.
We made our way back after visiting the Jug Inn, a small but quaint and well kept village pub. A walk across the fields brought us back to the canal following the tow path back to our mooring. We had not been back long before the rain returned for most of the evening.
Our plans for the next week or so are to call at Castleford before going up the Calder to Stanley Ferry and then retracing our steps and up the Aire to Woodlesford and Leeds. 

Ripening Corn Fields