Aire & Calder Massive Locks

We woke on Tuesday morning to very heavy rain which was not forecast for the day. However by 9.30 the rain had turned in to just a drizzle so we untied and headed out of Leeds through the very last lock on the Leeds & Liverpool canal and on to the Aire & Calder Navigation which is a river navigation. So all of a sudden we were on to very wide water. We stopped to fill with water and to get rid of rubbish and complete other task’s

Modern Buildings

.

Old Mill Buildings

Some of the bridges we went under are very ornate and still look wonderful some are just concrete and look rather drab.

Very Ornate Iron Work

Old Iron Bridge

The locks on the Aire & Calder are massive and are all mechanically operated so very easy to use. The locks could quite easily accommodate around 12 narrow-boats so with just Tacet and The Great Escape in the locks the boats looked tiny.

The rain got harder so as we approached Lemonroyd lock we decided to moor for the evening which was a good thing to do for as soon as we had tied up the rain absolutely bucketed down.

Wednesday morning we opened the curtains to lovely blue skies and made our way in to the lock which has a drop of 13 ft 6 inches and we set off for the days cruising.

Lemonroyd lock Full

Lemonroyd Lock Full

Sharon Leaving Lemonroyd Lock

The river has some interesting views from old coal mines, working coal mines and Power stations. 

Ferrybridge Power Station

Wide Water & Railway Line

We have really enjoyed cruising the Aire & Calder Navigation so far and our still heading towards Keadby Lock for Saturday as we are booked to head on to the River Trent on Sunday.

We cruised on and have moored at a little village called Pollington and a very nice village it is as well.

Time Travelled Tuesday 3.5 Hrs  Distance Travelled 6 Miles 5 Massive Locks Locks 1 Small Lock.

Time Travelled Wednesday 5 Hrs Distance Travelled  14 miles 4 massive Locks.

Total Distance Travelled 617. Miles 

186 Locks (Broad )239 single locks and 18 tunnel's, 10 Massive Lock

Total Tunnel length 10707 yards   
Total Time 328 hours  

We Are Loving It so Much