A bit of a delay posting lately as we have been a little busy.
Story Time:
As we were getting closer to Leeds we started to hear story's about the "Bad Lands", this is a place where the canal passes through two huge housing estates before it reaches the city.
The Lock Keepers warned us not to stop anywhere in this area for any reason as there are gangs of feral youths roaming around vandalising anything in their path, they swim in the locks even when there are boats in them. Apparently if the weather is warm they descend on the locks after twelve in a pack of forty to fifty all with cans and bottles ready for an afternoons drinking and swimming.
We set off very early and got through without seeing anyone other than the lock keepers. Wouldn't want to do that again!
This was our overnight mooring, close but not too close to the nasty bit.
After setting off we were attacked by this very determined Swan. He just would not stop pecking away at the boat. I have learnt that a Swan can swim faster than Ubique can move.
This is the approach into the main City, there are building works going on everywhere giving the whole place a face lift. It was around here that we realised all four of the boatyards that are shown in the Nicholsons are no longer in business and the only boatyard for miles around is the one we passed back at Apperley Bridge.
Needing diesel and a pump out of the tanks we only had one course of action.........back through the "Bad Lands"...... Great!
This was the site of one of the yards, all that is left is the crane. Gives a nice backdrop to the tower though, useless, but nice.
These are the recommended visitor moorings, this day was getting better and better.
However there was one last hope of a mooring site at a redeveloped Clarence Dock, yes!!! this was open and is about as smart a mooring site as you can find. The mooring pontoons even have blue and white lights that illuminate the boats at night making them a part of the whole atmosphere.
We picked up our guests in the morning and started to head back.
More to follow..................
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