Jo’s Monday walk : Canalside in Leeds at Christmas

It was a strange Christmas for me.  How about you?  I flew into Stansted, in spite of being destined for Leeds Bradford airport.  Nine hours later than planned, a neighbour’s very kind son deposited me at my hotel, tired and somewhat bemused at the chain of events.  It could only get better, and mostly it did.  Christmas Day should be spent with people you love, and it was.  Blue skies in Leeds in late December, however briefly, a bonus.  Put your gloves on and join me in a sparkly, frosty walk.  You know you need the exercise!

We’re starting out around Granary Wharf, near to the railway station.  Underneath the arches, a neglected image of times gone by.  The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is sandwiched between remnants of the industrial past and modern apartment blocks, and on a bright day the towpath makes for a pleasant walk.  Don’t forget to check out the view behind you, and keep an eye out for those demon cyclists!

A colossal undertaking, primarily to transport coal for industry in the 18th century, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs for 204km in total, with 91 locks.  We’re only covering a tiny section today, right in the centre of Leeds.  It was Christmas Eve and I was avoiding the bustle of the city streets, whilst still hoping to meet our son for coffee.  In places the canal runs parallel with the River Aire, offering an alternate route.  Ugliness is a close neighbour with beauty here.  One moment I’m admiring lily pads and reflections, the next confronted with urban scrawl and litter.

All is redeemed when I round a bend and find a pair of swans communing with a family of ducks.  The natural world is at peace.

I’ve always been fascinated by locks, and find them a welcome distraction from gloomy tunnels and ever-present graffiti.  The combination of old mills and rippling reflections works like a charm, soothing with their beauty.

Remnants of once meaningful murals cling to tired brick walls.  The water races headlong, a solitary swan seeming not to notice his drab surrounds.

Where the sun’s soft caress has yet to reach, a hard frost remains.  I look back along the canal and know that I must retrace some of my steps.  A coffee laced with Bailey’s awaits, but more importantly, my son.

The path continues on for many miles and I hope some day to complete the section from here to lovely Kirkstall Abbey, a short distance away.  And just in case you thought I wasn’t keeping my eye on the time while I was in Leeds….

Time flys!
An ornament on the tree in lovely Corn Exchange
John Harrison’s timepiece in Leeds City Museum
A Christmas window from times past

Time’s up, it seems!  Thanks, Becky.  Wishing you and yours lots of good times in 2019!

walking logo

This visit was all about family, and we managed to unite son and daughter, and their partners, in Nottingham, after a tortuous journey by road.  Worth it, of course!  Now I’m back in the Algarve with my memories.  And some more walks to share.

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After a flying visit to England, I’ve embraced cold.  Debbie too!  She’s sharing Icelandic beauty :

A walk of all weathers

Give yourself an after Christmas treat!  Go walking the streets of Prague with Nicole :

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Prague

Margaret knows the way to a woman’s heart!  Walking in one of my favourite places :

Taking my new camera for a walk

Jackie has fun wherever she goes.  And the lady eats well!  Drinks well, too  🙂

Sunday Nov 25 Barcelona

Cerveza Por Favor

I love poinsettias!  They spell Christmas to me, and to Alice too :

The country store

Lady Lee shares a wonderful Christmas tree and a post-birthday celebration :

The Weekly Smile

Fancy a swift walk with my mate Andrew?

Travels in Spain, A walk around Seville

Or something more contemporary with Tobias :

Goult – Evening Walk

Cathy gives us sweeping plains, petroglyphs and a great house, Chaco style!

Chaco Culture National Historical Park : the Una Vida Trail

Chaco Culture: Hungo Pavi

We’ve reached the last day of the year.  Goodness knows how!  It only remains to wish you all the healthiest of years ahead.  Mine will start with a bang, beside the bridge at Tavira.  A first for me, but not the last, I hope.  Happy New Year!

147 comments

  2. Another gorgeous walk Jo! Demond cyclists, you say? Perhaps you could just accidentally elbow them into the drink, following by a surprised look and a l’m so sorry! 😂

    Happy New Year!🎉

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  4. Wow Jo, quite the journey! You may keep the icy cold, thanks very much😊, it’s warmer temps for me please. Beautiful images to show a very interesting place. So glad your family was together for the holiday. Wishing you the best of everything in the new year

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  5. This canal I didn’t know about. I love canalside walks, they usually throw up interesting wildflowers and ducks and swans on the water are always a welcome distraction. Sorry your flight was so arduous, or the delays were arduous, but reuniting with family at this time of year is always a gamble I think. Now that you are back in your beloved Algarve, you can put that bad experience behind you.
    And sorry, I congratulated you on your new photo. It wasn’t meant for you, of course, it was meant for another blogger altogether, and not even on the WP site! I had it in mind to mention it to her but I somehow added to my comment on yours by mistake.

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    1. Having canal and river side by side I sometimes didn’t know which way to look, Andrew! Sitting at a waterfront cafe, pretending to be you(or maybe the missus 😃). All the best to you both 😎🍸🎆💕

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  7. Amazing blue sky in the middle of a UK winter. It put on a real show for you. The reflections are fantastic and I loved those graceful swans. What a special treat to be able to spend time with family and now enjoy the fireworks. Over here We are just 2 hours away from next year. Wishing you lots a happiness and good health for 2019

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  11. Glad you flew into the right country at least, even if not quite where you planned! And the weather obviously took pity and decided to shine on you for a while. That was a lovely walk along the canal – and it made me realise how long since I’ve been in Leeds, let alone walked the canal!

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    1. Many thanks, Sue! I wish you could too. It is a fascinating place. I meant to mention the dark satanic mills but I couldn’t fit it in with the mood. Wishing peace of mind and body and keep up that great positive spirit of yours 😃🍷🎆💕

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  15. Leeds is an attractively leafy city, I visited a LONG time ago. You produced some lovely photos. The east of England seems to be getting the sunshine that we in Wales haven’t seen for weeks. Have a Happy 2019.

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    1. Constant grey skies are depressing. I know this so well! But blue skies don’t solve everything. You still have to put your heart and soul into life. Wishing you healthy, happy times ahead, Emma 🙂 🙂

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  17. Beautiful photos as always, though it does look a bit nippy! A coffee laced with Bailey’s sounds just the thing! Wishing you a very happy 2019 in your new home.

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  19. I used to live in Leeds, and this area, always a favourite, has changed immeasurably since then. But not in a bad way. It still retains its edge-land character, despite all the new development. And thanks for including some of Leeds’ great clocks! Happy New Year, whether in England or Portugal x

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    1. Another blue sky day here, Becky. But then, that’s the norm, isn’t it? 🙂 🙂 I shouldn’t tempt fate! We had a lovely walk up the river yesterday afternoon. Not sure what to do with today yet, though a bit of cleaning for the New Year wouldn’t come amiss. 🙂 Later, maybe! Have a happy day and all the very best for next year.

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