WEDNESDAY. Clarence dock was quiet until we arrived at 7.45am. The curtains were pulled back a small amount on ‘Miss D Mina’ and Pauline waved to us. We tied to one of the short finger pontoons and I later telephoned BW Leeds office to check where to moor up. We moved to a longer pontoon to which Martlet was buffeted by the strong winds. I put a tape sling around the circular pile at the pontoon end to which I retied the front having removed the rope from the pontoon cleat. We were still moved about, but were moving a lot less than was the much lighter pontoon. We dusted off the Passes and headed for the bus station. Our chosen destination was Harrogate. Arriving as the rain started to fall, we found shelter under various canopies and the rain soon stopped. We stood outside the Royal Baths, a more apt description would be the Royal Building site owing to the shuttering plywood blocking the main entrance and the materials lying around. I found plenty of other interesting buildings and as per usual, fired off too many photographs. The approaching clouds warned of heavy rain fairly soon; we headed for the bus station and travelled to Knaresborough. As we alighted, the rain stopped to be closely followed by a hot sunny spell. We browsed around the market stalls in the square, I bought a couple of spring loaded karabiner clips for £2.80, a lot cheaper than chandleries. The clips will be used with chains to moor against the canal piling. We then re-visited the castle after an interval of about 40 years and I took photographs of the railway viaduct over the River Nidd. We took tea in the Castle tearooms before retracing our bus journeys to Leeds. An enjoyable evening was spent with Duncan and Pauline on board Martlet.
Weather showery, very strong wind.
The 2008 journey thus far: 206 Locks & 332 Miles & 19 Swing\Lift Bridges
Journeys using bus pass: 14
