Leeds and Liverpool Canal:Skipton

Rain yesterday afternoon continued overnight and this morning. As we had 4 swing bridges in close proximity, Pat set off walking. What we didn't know was that the middle two were chained open. The last one was the site of the Polish Airmen's Memorial. Lovely views over the Aire Valley continued to the left and the hillside to the right was sometimes wooded. The last of the rhododendrons added colour. Kildwick Bridge gave the impression of being an automatic operation, but the key only worked the barriers, lights and wedges. It had to be pushed open. Likewise Bradley bridge. Kildwick village looked attractive from the canal with steep streets leading up the hill to the right. After Bradley we came up behind another boat and expected them to have to work the first swing bridge for us, but opposite direction boaters got there first and this was the only one before Skipton. By chance we found a mooring opposite the facilities and coach station which was ideally placed for the nearby Tesco, but rather unattractive, so once shopping done we moved past the Springs Branch turning to bridge 176 for more greenery and access to the nearby park over the bridge.