THURSDAY. I awoke today at 5.30am, thick mist was obscuring the view out of both windows and the position of the sun was impossible to determine. I turned over and went back to sleep, waking for the second time at 7.15am. As the sun had burnt off all of the mist, another clear blue sky was beckoning. We got up, had breakfast and moved off at 8am. We dropped down Kings Road lock and under the M1. I used to travel this part of the motorway on a regular basis, and notrhbound soon after passing over the canal, you could see a railway signal box on the west side, I think it was Methley junction. Passing by at night you could see a feint light inside and a few colour light signals; it has probably been replaced by some area signalling scheme. After the M1, you are in open country on your left as you approach Woodnock lock. Below the lock and the high railway viaduct, Lafarge owns Whitwood wharf, which has regular traffic of gravel barges from Goole come to discharge. On to Castleford, going through the flood lock, tying up on the 48hr moorings east of the BW yard. Apart from commercial traffic, no other boats were moving. Whilst the washing was drying, I did a bit of paintwork touching up along the gunnels at the rear deck. After lunch, we caught the bus to Pontefract and from the bus station, walked to the castle. There must be a good view from the mound when the trees are not in leaf, but it was a bit restricted today. Sitting outside a shelter next to the keep was a group, which turned out to be the castle curator and some of her friends from the local historical society. We were chatting to them, they had drinks, Myra asked if the café was open, they laughed and said there is no café; but if you would like a cup of coffee, we’ll make you one – and they did! What a great bunch they were, we sat with them, enjoying their company. Myra’s mouth was watering when she heard about the liquorice fair in July; the central grass area is covered in stalls selling everything and anything to do with liquorice. One of the members showed us the herb garden where they have over 30 varieties that would have been grown when the castle was in use during the middle ages. She also showed us a small liquorice bush that had covered a D shaped area about six feet diameter before council contractors had come around with their strimmers. We left them to their laughter and went for a wander around Pontefract. A pretty town with a wide open market square, good range of shops and good buildings. We took a different bus route back, subscribing to the idea that travel broadens the mind. Floreat Omnibus!
The 2008 journey thus far: 198 Locks & 315 Miles & 19 Swing\Lift Bridges
Journeys using bus pass: 10
