Along the canal.

Our walk today took us from Thwaites Mill, Leeds, along the Aire and Calder Navigation towards Woodlesford.
The towpath is part of the Trans Pennine Central Trail, and goes between the Canal and the River Aire.
Today it was peaceful. The trees gave us some shade. Yes we have sun again and 24C.
Only a handful of people walking, but several more bikers.

This photo was taken as we returned, from the bridge over the canal. It was nice to see a few narrow boats heading into the centre of Leeds.
These two were passing the Leeds Rowing Club, formed in 2006.
The blue building is the City if Leeds Sea Cadets, TS Ark Royal.

We crossed the canal again along the bridge which used to take traffic to the Skelton Grange Power Station. Demolished in 1995, but a substation still remains.
The site is next to ‘ Gateway 45’ development and in 2019 was selected to be a maintenance depot for the High Speed 2 railway.
( Now scrapped )

We noticed many large old moorings alongthe Canal Bank. Now almost hidden by trees and undergrowth. This was once a thriving waterway.
The canal is now closed to commercial traffic because it needs work doing, including dredging.
More freight on the waterways is an important way in which they can contribute to the Government’s zero carbon agenda.
One huge barge can take 17 lorries off the road.
Unfortunately the government don’t seem to be investing enough money into the waterways.

There were lots of blackberries beginning to ripen. Unfortunately we didn’t have anything to put them in, however did manage to eat quite a few. Will be back.
We did leave the red arum berries alone!

Back at the Mill we had a picnic by the river.

Our 4 mile walk today was to prepare us for tomorrow.
Egypt and Moscow. No passport required or airport queues!

Extra collage of the walk.

Tagged for Wide Wednesday ‘ people’. Well there are four on the barges.