August 1

Days of contrast!

We started on the lower part of the Aire River; wide, power operated locks.

River Aire

Touring past the Ferrybridge power station, little did we know that there was to be a major fire in the tower about 20 minutes after we passed. This power station (coal fired) was heavily damaged and the fire brought firefighters from more than 16 different fire stations in the area. We could see the smoke as we went along, and had we been just a little later, might have had our cruise significantly disrupted.

Ferrybridge power station where a large fire occurred just after we passed

Selby canal

We then entered the Selby Canal, which appeared to be a deserted backwater. We met only one boat all day. The canal began with a little duckweed floating that seemed to have been completely undisturbed for days. On we went, arriving in Selby, where we had to wait overnight until the tide was high, so we could enter the Ouse River. Holy duckweed! Here, the mat of weed was up to 10cm thick. There were 5 other boats waiting to use the lock, and the mat of duckweed just closed in as each boat moved along. The mooring had a strong floodlight that made the weed glow fluorescent green. Very wierd

Duckweed mat in basin above Selby Lock

running with the flood tide on the River Ouse below Nayburn Lock

Then, up the tidal Ouse, being carried along on the flood tide, with lots of floating debris and current about 6 km/h. We felt like we were flying along, and had to move smartly to avoid the current pushing us into places we didn’t want to go. We quickly arrived at the last lock that separates the tidal section of the river from non-tidal, in a giant lock that took 5 narrowboats at once. Then, past huge lines of moored fiberglass boats, we entered York. The moorings are not great (about 10 boats- all full, and alongside a concrete ledge), but the city is great. Lots to report on from here over the next days.

Nayburn Lock

sculpture on bridge below York