Whitley Lock

After our run down the tidal Ouse yesterday, rather more sedate waters to start today if somewhat weedy. Pat hates working swing bridges on busy roads because she get abuse from motorists sometimes, so we left Selby Basin at 7:00 to manage the swing bridge before rush hour and continued for a few hundred yards to moor up again near to the path to Tesco.  I tried out the new bottle of polish I had bought at the nearby auto centre and it certainly seems to bring back the colour, better than T Cut.  Then, once shopping was done we carried on, down the Selby Canal, through the open flood gates and onto the Aire finding ourselves then behind two narrowboats evidently not wanting to get caught up.  The joke was that at the next (Beal) lock they were waiting below waving us on.  Arkholme II was waiting in the lock expecting one of the pair to join him, but they wanted to remain together, hence we became the perfect partner.  Arkholme was on the way to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, so we parted company at Bank Dole Lock.  The forecast heavy showers were making their appearance, so unusually, we stopped for lunch and let one pass and then made the 150 degree turn onto the Aire and Calder Navigation.  Wanting to moor below the lock at Whitley we disregarded spaces on the hardstanding moorings and facilities above and took advantage of a full lock to go down.  The moorings below are on cut grass with picnic tables and a barbecue stand, much better for Alfie, although we wont be using the barbecue.   Having just moored, two very large workboats with excavators on board appeared and tied up behind.  Then shortly after, two boats shot out of the lock like corks from a bottle.  The reason was soon evident.  A large fuel tanker came upstream aiming for the lock and they must have been told to get out of the way.  Fortunately we are well moored on rings with the large fenders out, but our boat dipped in the draw from the tanker as it went by, still at some speed.   Lots of heavy showers around now.