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Clarence dock/Leeds dock and beyond


gabble

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Just wondering if anyone has any recent experience of the visitor moorings at Clarence/Leeds dock?

 

We are contemplating a stop there for a night over the bank holiday weekend at the end of August but are a but concerned that we won't get a space.

 

Also we'll be heading off onto the Aire and Calder. Any essential advice or recommended moorings?

 

gabble

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We moored in Granary Wharf last night. It wasn't quite full by the end of the day. There are also some reasonable moorings above the next lock up.

 

Granary Wharf was great, except that it's not very deep, and the water level tends to drop as River Lock is used. We ended up on the bottom, tilted, a couple of times, and had to take our chance to get away this morning before too many boats arrived from the river. We are deeper drafted than average. The chap running the restaurant boat keeps an eye on things, and will run more water down if needed. Expect some noise from trains and passing traffic.

 

Clarence dock is much smaller than Granary Wharf, 3-4 boats worth of visitor moorings.

 

We're moored tonight at Woodlesford on the A&C, which is quiet and very pleasant, and less than half full. Given that it's about 400m of bollards at the end of a mile or so of piled bank, it would be more-or-less impossible not to get a space here.

 

MP.

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Just wondering if anyone has any recent experience of the visitor moorings at Clarence/Leeds dock?

We are contemplating a stop there for a night over the bank holiday weekend at the end of August but are a but concerned that we won't get a space.

Also we'll be heading off onto the Aire and Calder. Any essential advice or recommended moorings?

gabble

Woodlesford, nice moorings. 10 to 15 minute walk into town to the shops and pubs. They aren't designated as VM's there so no time restriction (other than 14 days of course).

 

There is a nice spot just before Lemonroyd Marina on the right just before the bridge.

 

We liked the moorings at Whitley Lock, nice grassed area with seating and brick BBO's.

 

Pollington has two sets of VM's, both very nice and a short walk to the pub. One set above the lock the other set below.

 

Sykehouse junction at the top of the New Junction canal is a nice place to moor but distant from any pubs or shops.

 

After that it depends which way you head but if you have nappy pins and/or chains any where on the NJC is very nice.

Edited by MJG
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Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.

 

Clarence dock sounds like it might be a challenge then, but I'll look out for the pontoons outside that Joe mentions. Good to hear that Woodlesford is a nice stop, that is my plan B if we can't find somewhere suitable in Leeds. Also the junction onto the New junction canal looks a fantastic peaceful spot based on google maps.

 

Any tips for dealing with the big locks on the Aire and Calder? Is the usual practice to rope up or not? We don't typically bother in normal broad locks.

 

gabble

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Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.

 

Clarence dock sounds like it might be a challenge then, but I'll look out for the pontoons outside that Joe mentions. Good to hear that Woodlesford is a nice stop, that is my plan B if we can't find somewhere suitable in Leeds. Also the junction onto the New junction canal looks a fantastic peaceful spot based on google maps.

 

Any tips for dealing with the big locks on the Aire and Calder? Is the usual practice to rope up or not? We don't typically bother in normal broad locks.

 

gabble

 

 

We never did, we usually just kept to the middle section of the lock and Jan held the boat there using a little bit of throttle if needed.

 

This is us in Fishpond Lock the lock after Knotstrop at Leeds and before Woodlesford. Away from the gates/sluiceshe flow is quite benign in them with the possible exception of Lemoroyd after Woodlesford. You can see the boat behind us opted to rope off in the lock.

 

uzStESAh.jpg

 

You can rope off if you wish as they have the 'slides' you can get a rope around in the lock side.

 

If you go down the NJC Sykehouse is a bit more complicated as it has a swing bridge across it. But there are instructions at the lock of what to do.

 

Sykehouse junction is indeed a pleasant place to stop and if you are lucky you may get to see Exol Pride make the turn from the A&C into the NJC

 

FFYJKVzh.jpg

Edited by MJG
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Completely agree that you don't need to rope up in the big locks, going downhill (like you will be doing) you'll find the boat usually just drifts very lazily forwards. Going back uphill you'll normally stay towards the back of the lock when they fill. Some (e.g. Knostrop) have several points where the lock fills and that may push you to one side, but all sluices are computer controlled to open a bit at a time so you never really get a big inrush of water (saying that Lemonroyd is a bit more aggressive as it is deep - as mentioned above).

 

All of the places mentioned above are very safe and peaceful. The canal and river are both wide and deep, so you can make good progress if you want to

 

Make sure you've got your BWB key handy (and a spare!).

 

Remember the traffic light system if you've not seen it before Red = lock keeper in attendance - but not lock ready for you - tie up and wait or wander up and see what's going on / have a chat. Green = lock keeper in attendance and lock ready for you - he'll open it and you just go in. Amber (the most common light!) = you're on your own, tie up and operate lock yourself as required.

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We never did, we usually just kept to the middle section of the lock and Jan held the boat there using a little bit of throttle if needed.

 

This is us in Fishpond Lock the lock after Knotstrop at Leeds and before Woodlesford. Away from the gates/sluiceshe flow is quite benign in them with the possible exception of Lemoroyd after Woodlesford. You can see the boat behind us opted to rope off in the lock.

 

uzStESAh.jpg

 

You can rope off if you wish as they have the 'slides' you can get a rope around in the lock side.

 

If you go down the NJC Sykehouse is a bit more complicated as it has a swing bridge across it. But there are instructions at the lock of what to do.

 

Sykehouse junction is indeed a pleasant place to stop and if you are lucky you may get to see Exol Pride make the turn from the A&C into the NJC

 

FFYJKVzh.jpg

 

 

Hi Martin,

We encountered Exol Pride on our way to Sheffield 2 weeks ago, here she is.

Excuse the chimney !!

 

 

IMG_0080_zps8gma1nza.jpgIMG_0081_zpsbyxsxpdz.jpg

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Remember the traffic light system if you've not seen it before Red = lock keeper in attendance - but not lock ready for you - tie up and wait or wander up and see what's going on / have a chat. Green = lock keeper in attendance and lock ready for you - he'll open it and you just go in. Amber (the most common light!) = you're on your own, tie up and operate lock yourself as required.

We came through Ferrybridge flood lock yesterday. Gates were open both ends, and there was no-one from CRT anywhere around, but the lights were on red. Having been warned about this by boater going the other way, we just went through very cautiously. So, I've run my first red light on the canals!

 

MP.

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