A lovely lunch in Leeds and a variety of vivacious visitors!

Sunday 9 August

Another sunny day, hurrah! We made use of the BW facilities at the mooring before going through the lock and into the basin that we’d walked past last night. We’re informed that it used to be a pile of rubble here, before the regeneration programme; it’s since been developed very tastefully.

Moving from our first mooring into the marina, the lock on the left

Out of the lock and a sharp left hand turn

Very impressive, and the first two nights stay is free

All sorts of cannons, mortars, etc mounted around the marina
Makes you feel very secure!
Jogging around the Marina

Daytime shot

The island by the lock, a very popular fishing spot

We had a bit of a walk around the town centre, there’s an abundance of shops to choose from, but we were looking for a carvery for a Sunday dinner. Luckily we chanced upon a little pub that was doing a roast beef and Yorkshire pudding lunch; just the ticket!

The 'Crown Point Bridge' spanning the canal into town

Made of cast iron and opened in 1842

The party boat, a little more subdued today

A statue commemorating The Black Prince (Thomas Brooke)

Interesting reflections

Sunday dinner of roast beef and a huge Yorkshire pudding, courtesy of Monique, thank you!

One of the many shopping arcades in Leeds

And another one ...

Shop till 'ya drop!

We didn't find much else to do in Leeds, but a very well-kept city nonetheless

The Daunting Quarry House, the DoH building where Sandra used to attend many meetings(in a previous life!)

The old parapets and spired domes that dominate the skyline in the centre

It was then back to the Armoury, a massive building opposite our mooring that’s amazingly free to visit. There was only an hour left before closing time at 5pm, but we managed a quick look around and watched a performance by Annie Oakley. It really is a fabulous place and Barry will return tomorrow, you could spend a day there and still not see everything we reckon.

Lock her up and throw away the key!!!

Northern Pride in the middle, taken from the 'National Armouries Museum'

Looking down on the lock

One of the impressive displays in the museum

We accompanied Monique to the station for her train back to Bristol, did a spot of shopping for essentials in Marks and Spencer Food there, then back to the boat in time for Steph and Pete to come bearing gifts of food, wine and beer. It was a shame we didn’t have more time to spend with them, but we had to be at the station again by 10pm to pick up Kim and Joe for their six day visit …

Pete, Steph & Sandra