The Big One (24-1)

Thursday the 20th of September 2012

Selby Basin to Beal Lock

It was pitter patter, pitter patter on the roof this morning - however it was not only the rain but we seem to have provided lodgings for several ducks overnight. I did not hear them arrive, but we could hear them as they prepared for departure.

Yesterdays tide was just beginning to fall from its peak (8 metres measured at Hull) a couple of days previously. On the river Ouse at Selby the flood tide on a spring tide can run at speeds of around 8 knots.  High water and low water points occurs at different times on the river. Giving the rather remarkable outcome that it is low water at Selby at precisely the same time that it is high water at Hull.

There are a couple of interesting on-line pages that give some interesting detail about the coastal and river tides around this part of the country.  The first is a document from an historical context looking back at York.  (Click) The second is looking at the River Ouse and the way that it is effected by the tides along its length. (Click)

The trip from Selby Basin started after lunch and was quite uneventful. We thought the water levels were up a little bit on the usual level in the canal. The reason for this was that one of the sluices had been left open on the flood lock. However as the gates were closed we penned up about three inches into the River Aire. We closed the sluices as we exited as there was no reason to leave them in the open position. A steady cruise up the river to Beal Lock where we decided to moor up for the night on the visitor pontoon.

Wildlife: We spotted a Kingfisher on the River Aire. There were a few dragonflies on the Selby Canal.

Daily Total
Miles: 8.3
Locks: 2
Swing / Lift Bridges: 1
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 3.0

Accumulated Totals

Miles: 1266.7
Locks: 863
Swing / Lift Bridges: 161
Tunnels. 22
Pump Outs: 14
Engine Hours: 2448.9

Later...