Day 1: Saturday 28 June.

Leeds to Shipley:

We left our hotel near the central station just after 9 am and within 5 minutes we reached the canal towpath. It was a sunny day, no need for a waterproof jacket or even a sweater.

The area beside the canal had a very rural feel, even in the centre of Leeds, and the atmosphere was one of leisure time pursuits and recreation rather than that of an industrial transport corridor. Times have changed! 

It was very busy with many of people out and about. Lots of joggers and cyclists and families out for day walks. We even met a chap on a mobility scooter.

The canal 'furniture' was ineresting and varied. Single locks and locks in flights. Lots of different types of bridge, even swing bridges, something I wasn't expecting.

It is strange walking beside a canal. Most of the walk is flat, very flat. There are only occasional uphill sections, beside the locks.

About halfway through our trip we stopped at a nice little cafe at Rodley, right beside the canal. We ordered two Yorkshire cream teas. It's not easy to find clotted cream in NZ, so cream teas are a bit of a novelty for us.

Our progress was pretty slow, we were averaging only about 2mph!  We arrived at Shipley just before 4pm.

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Our first lock of the day. Office Lock.

Rural aspect, even near Leeds.

Sadly the canal signage was invariably obliterated by graffiti, especially near Leeds. Things did improve further along towards Shipley.

Lots of cyclists use canal towpath. It is a major cross country route.

Our first fisherman of the day.

Lots of bridges, of all shapes and sizes, along the route.

Quite a few swing bridges also!

Lots of very attractive house locations beside the cannal..

We even passed a wedding party!

A flight of locks and a bit of a climb.

Back to a more urban aspect approaching Shipley.