Al and Tom cruise to Lemonroyd

Al and Tom each drove to meet us at Allerton Bywater. It was really good to see them! The day was full of thunderous downpours but after fry ups we seized a break in the rain and set off up the Aire and Calder for an hour's cruise to Lemonroyd marina and visitor moorings. Once underway, us two sat back and let our guests take the tiller. We're really happy with Rainboat's large cruiser stern as it allows four to sit together as we travel.

With the fens to one side and St Aiden's RSPB site at our destination we passed a numerous herons, swans geese a Little Egret and eagle eyed Al even spotted the first Kingfisher of our time on Rainboat. The really special sighting though, was a Spoonbill. One of an estimated 29 breeding pairs in the UK and only 105 individuals who ovetwinter here!

The rain caught us up as we approached Lemonroyd lock but didn't dampen our spirits as Al and Tom helped us get through and moor up with roughly 20 other visiting boats. We were all set for a drink at the Tea Shanti narrowboat, whose sign said 'open'. It was only after walking up our towpath, crossing the bridge and doubling back on the opposite bank to reach it in the drizzle that we discovered it was actually closed. Grrr.

Luckily Will had prepared the makings of burgers and chips which the four of us enjoyed together before Ali and Tom needed to leave.

We stayed 3 nights at Lemonroyd, enjoying access to the reserve and the good weather that typically arrived after Al and and Tom had left.Read more