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

  1. Pingback: Unlimited fun with Debbie – Travel with Intent

    1. Thanks darlin! It feels strange to be sitting in the sun on New Year’s Day. The fireworks were lovely on the bridge and we’re meeting our walking friends for a short stroll this afternoon. Happy 2019 to you 🍸🎆🍰💕

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  4. What a wonderful walk you invited and took us on… The sights and photos are so varied and so interesting. The ducks are so lovely against the dark waters. This year made me vow that I want to do my utmost to spend the holidays with at least one of my kids next year. Even though we had a wonderful time on a small island in Thailand, I miss my kids and especially at this time of year. All the best for an adventurous and happy 2019.

    Peta

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    1. Thanks darlin! It’s not so easy when you live on opposite sides of the world. We are normally just a 2 and a half hour flight away. A healthy and happy New Year to you both 🍷🎆🍰💕

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  5. Thanks for sharing in your walk Jo. I certainly need it as I’ve been doing far too much eating and not nearly enough walking. Happy new year to you lovely. Hope 2019 is filled with lots of wonderful adventures. Hugs and love sent from down under 🙂💕🥂

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  6. Hang on. Blue skies, sunshine and green grass?? Don’t you know I come here for snow to take my mind off the approaching heatwave? Sigh. Lucky for you, I love a canal and locks and all those things we don’t get here so I did enjoy the walk. And I wish I’d put Baileys’ in my coffee…. 🙂

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    1. I did my best with the frost, Heather. My days of throwing snowballs are over, and not a Bailey’s passed my lips, last night 😦 😦 Health and happiness to you and your family, lovely lady 🙂

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  8. Happy New Year darling Jo. Hope the fireworks were lovely! I did manage to stay awake long enough to see the ones on the Thames, but every year I wish someone would have the nerve to say, enough is enough and use those millions to feed and house some people in need. But the extravaganza just gets bigger. I remember when I used to see people in Trafalgar Square paddling in the fountain!! Anyway, bed now. Wishing you once again a happy new year in your new home and country. xx

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    1. Still assessing how I feel the morning after, having just watched my first sunrise of the New Year. 🙂 🙂 The Tavira fireworks were on a much smaller scale than those in Oz, but I do know what you mean. Feed the world’s not just a song, is it? So many wrongs we could right, Jude, if we were all more willing. Sending you hugs and a few blue skies, and a hope that 2019 is kind to you and yours.

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  12. Happy New Year, Jo! It sounds like you had a great time in Leeds; I’m sure it was so nice to spend time with your adult children and their partners. I’m glad you’re back in warm Portugal now; it looks like it was cold in Leeds. The canal walk looks lovely. Also, thanks for the links. 🙂

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    1. Just watched the sun rise after my first Tavira New Year, Anabel. 🙂 🙂 The first time I’ve celebrated with a man in a kilt too, I think. At least, the only one I remember. 🙂 Here’s to another full and happy year for all of us.

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