Summer Trip – Woodlesford to Ripon
Wednesday 28 July- Left Woodlesford at 5pm and had a brilliant cruise through to Knottingley. All the locks were in our favour, ate our tea on the way! – arrived at Knottingley at 8pm.
Thursday 29 July -Sky overcast, but at least its not raining, left Knottingley at 8.15am. Had only been travelling for 10 minutes when came across a sand barge on a sharp bend! Managed to get into the side, but a bit scarey.
10am - went through Beal Lock, the sun did shine on and off, quite pleasant. From West Haddeslesey Lock on the Selby Canal, there was lots of duck weed etc; in fact the canal was covered in it. We had to stop on three occasions on the way to Selby basin to clear the prop!
2.15pm arrived at Selby Basin and watched some boats come up the lock from the Ouse.
Only 15 minutes walk into the centre where there are plenty of shops including a Sainsburys.
Having an early night in preparation for riding the tide at 9am tomorrow!
Friday 30 July - Got up early, had yummy bacon sandwiches. Weather overcast but dry which will be great for the journey today.
Went into the Lock at 9.15am and out onto the Ouse. It was quite a fast tide and there we were cruising along besides trees and branches. Several large branches got caught beneath the bow which slowed us down, however we managed to reverse near Cawood and I dislodged them. Although it was quite scarey at first we soon relaxed and enjoyed the journey.
We felt sorry for a cruiser which left Selby just after us, as their engine filter got blocked with debris and therefore the engine overheated. However they did manage to keep putting water over the engine to cool it down, but were a little shaken by it. We were all relieved when we were safe in Naburn Lock.
Decided to stay here at Naburn for the rest of the day and evening. Walked into Naburn, only took approximately 20 minutes. Went to the ‘Blacksmiths Arms’ for a drink. It had a great outdoor seating area and catered really well for dogs!, there were lots of water bowls and some treats in plastic containers (a small letter box for donations towards costs of the treats – fantastic idea). Obviously Bisto went wild over the treats! They also hold a BBQ every Sunday, even in the winter apparantly, which we would love to sample on the return journey…
Saturday 31 July – Left Naburn at 9am, although overcast, it was dry again which was great for the cruise to York. Took us about 1.5 hours to get there, however had terrible trouble getting a mooring. Eventually managed to find a space.
Opposite the visitor moorings there would be plenty of space for some more moorings, they just need to put some rings in. The initial expense would pay as more people would bring their boats into the centre and obviously more revenue for York…. Had some lunch a little walk around.
Kevin and Fiona came for the afternoon and evening. Booked into an Italian restaurant , ‘Tuscany’ on Coney Street nr St Helen’s Square. Lovely meal and a nice atmosphere.
We all felt old when we were watching the young ones outside enjoying their hen and stag parties!!!! interesting watching! A police van was parked just outside the restaurant handing out bottles of water to the young ones to ensure they didn’t get too dehydrated!
Sunday 1 August - Left York at 9.25am, another overcast day, however once again the rain stayed away until after we moored up.
Took it easy to Linton Lock. The gates were hard work (bottom gates leaking, due to be mended this year), but managed to get some help from a couple of gentleman having a drink at the cafe.
Moored up at the visitor moorings at the top of the lock. at 1pm.
Had a short walk (10 minutes) into Linton on Ouse to the small grocery/newsagents/off licence store to stock up on some essentials. Was lucky today, Chris cooked all the meals!
Monday 2 August – Left Linton Lock at 8.30am, overcast again but with the odd sunny spell, at least its not raining…
Had a good run through to Boroughbridge, arrived at 11.35am. really chuffed as there are plenty of moorings, however they did fill up over the afternoon and evening. Had a spot of lunch (courtesy of Chris again!) and then had a walk into Boroughbridge (only 5 minutes). Lovely village, lots of little gift shops, a Visitor information and a few take aways… There was a wonderful green grocery store, set out really nicely, crammed full of homemade pickles, jams and spices and lots of fresh fruit and veg. Stocked up on provisions there and at the Spa shop.
Managed to sit out in the afternoon as the sun made an appearance!
Had a take away in the evening from the chinese in the village ‘Shan Woo’. It was absolutely delicious, yum yum, may have to go there again on the return journey!
Tuesday 3 August- Oops… slept in until 8.30am! Emptied toilet and bins etc at Boroughbridge and left the moorings at 9.30am, breakfast on the way!
Passed Newby Hall on the River Ure, looks lovely, will be worth a visit on the way back. Arrived at the top of Oxclose Lock at 11.55am.
Lovely peaceful mooring at the top of the lock. Had a sandwich and then a walk into the local village, Bishop Monkton (approx 30 minutes walk), there is a grocery store, 2 pubs (evening meals from 6.30pm) and a campsite. Lovely village, very picturesque.
Went for a walk in the evening and poor Bisto got stung on her bottom by a wasp, bless… sulked the rest of the night licking her wounds in her basket.
Wednesday 4 August – Raining when we woke up. Julie the lock keeper who looks after the Ripon Canal was hard at work trimming all the trees and edges, she keeps the canal looking really good.
Once the rain had eased, set off at approximately 10.30am for the short cruise into Ripon. It is a lovely pleasant canal. The rain thankfully held off. Moored up in Ripon Basin at 12 ish . Luckily there was just enough room as not many mooring spaces here in the centre.
Had a short walk into the town centre and a mooch around the shops, checking places to eat for tonights meal.
Went to an Italian and then to see the Hornblower in Ripon Market Square at 9pm. Finished off with a lovely glass of wine in ‘Squiffys’ a new wine bar on Duck Hill… what a wonderful cosy, mediteranean feel it had, candles, wine and cheeseboards/olives available… lovely
Thursday 5 August - Mum and Dad came for the day, went to the markets and for a look round the shops. Cruised back, had lunch on the way to Ripon Marina where we will be moored for a few days before our journey home. The toilets and sanitary station between the Ripon centre moorings and the marina are spotless. Also there are some 48 hour moorings there which are handy if there isn’t enough room in the centre. Was really impressed with Dad, he did a grand job on the locks!