Chronologically the first leg. Undertaken after walking from Ilkley over the moor into the Aire Valley and then along the canal from Crossflats to Shipley with Hilary and Sophie. Whilst enjoying the peace and calm of the canal side, the picturesque reflections in still water and striding out for miles I thought I’d try out a longer version. At this time I’d not thought of actually walking the whole canal, so did not contemplate the issue – not starting at the start!
It happened that on the day we were dog sitting Tuss, so I had both him and Sophie. Tuss is much calmer and mainly settles down on the train, either sitting or prone whereas Sophie is just too interested in her surroundings and like a Duracell bunny is up, down, under seats, straining along corridors or climbing up my legs and chest to watch the world fly by; this latter by far her favourite!
Starting from Shipley, the first part of the walk leaves the wharf side buildings behind and very quickly I enter Saltaire.
On such a beautiful day the mill side buildings reflect magnificently on the canal waters with the rear of Titus Salt’s mill on the left and another mill, New Mill, on the right.
And fortunately a canal barge drifts by to give a great photo opportunity
I then continue out of Saltaire, where the canal follows the River Aire retracing the steps from my previous walk – a novel sight seeing the canal in both directions, something which will only happen on future legs if I bother to turn around and which surprisingly is not easy to remember to do once I have a pace up striding along the tow paths.
Having left one heritage site the next sites are the 3 rise and 5 rise locks at Bingley, that come just round the bend after the Damart Mill.
A really pleasant stroll follows passing through Crossflats, Micklethwaite and Riddlesdon. There are 3 golf course on this route, well only 2 now as Riddlesdon closed down this year. The lovely looking East Morton 9 hole course is added to the list of courses to be played and the Keighley course is a maybe. Living in the area it should be no surprise but the canal does not go through Keighley, its close but actually a surprising distance away.
A delight on this walk was the spring water fowl life seen, over and above the hundreds of Mallards. Swans and Gooseanders amongst those seen and a very peaceful swan on a nest.
The canal now wends its way towards Silsden, where a chip buttie lunch was the order of the day.
On entering Silsden I pass the bungalows and town houses that now line the canal and am stunned by the magnificent gardens – there is some serious keeping up with the neighbours. For some reason I feel obliged not to photo the scene, but the setting for lunch which is the older mills and canal side building proves photogenic.
After a lunch, shared with the dogs, the canal bends back on itself towards the River Aire before reaching Kildwick.
I’ve never ventured into the old village of Kildwick, so took the opportunity to drop down from the canal to nosy about. The Church is an amazing size for a village of this size. During the 15th and 16th centuries the church was lengthened, with further extensions eastwards so that it is now one of the longest in Yorkshire hence known locally as ‘The Lang Kirk of Craven’. Another must visit is The White Lion pub for a post lunch beer.
Whilst going through Kildwick there was a stand off between the Sophie and a Swan. Sophie really wary and Tuss very much holding back as the Swan spoke in no uncertain terms to them – I know who were the most scared ! The canal now heads towards Skipton, where there have been towpath improvements that required a bit of a detour, however the resulting path is really good
On reaching Skipton, I veer off from the bus station to Tesco. Hilary was bringing her mum for the weekly shop and kindly timed the journey to meet me and give us a lift home.
Route Summary
