Aire and Calder locks.

You've got to get out of Fall Ing first, the tail gates are 11 tonnes apiece. Next stop Stanley Ferry, nice walks around the nature reserve there.

From Wakey to Leeds -it's only a days trip. It's sometimes better to split it in two though and overnight at Woddlesford up above the lock on the right.

As Jim Says, Fall Ing is heavy but empties quickly enough - centre lines fine and rope in a chav/polish person or dope head to help close the gate after you... it's a sharp right turn to get back onto the lock landing if you have to go back and close it yourself... I'd be inclined to leave it open if it's early in the day.

I've a vague memory about a stoppage at either birkwood or Kings lock though so double check before you head past staley ferry (my orginal home mooring)

KEEP IN THE MIDDLE of the river at fairies hill (don't be tempted to try an cut the corner or you'll get stuck on the sand bank.

After that, at Castleford, chuck a left from the calder onto the Aire and it's a nice enough chug until Lemmonroyd BIG lock -

That's harder on your own as when both paddples are working, quite a tsunami comes down at you... you need to link your centre line around one of the cables if you are on the boat to keep it to one side.

Chances are, when you get there, have a wander around and see if somoene else will operate the buttons for you so you can stay aboard and keep control of your boat. keep an eye out as you rise not to get your rope snagged behind the cables or you'll tip.

After that, Knostrop lock is easy enough (but a bit slow to open the gates)... there will probably be some bafaoon moored on the lock landing at the bottom though to make it difficult - still on the plus side, you might get a look at the (sometimes sexy) rowers from the rowing club... every cloud lol.

The pontoon on the river at leeds lock currently has a bit of a loon on it so I'd abandon that idea - whilst it's filling at the armories) take a look over the wall and see if you can get into the visitor moorings next to it - shore line with cards available from the crt office across the river. After that , you head up to Granary where whilst it may be tempting to pull into the first bit on the right outside fazenda, if the water level falls (and it quite often does) you can get tipped on the steps under water.

It's not often you can't get a space in there but it IS noisy and right outside the hotel plays durge until about 11pm from it's outside speakers. IF it's full, its safe enough (if a bit more noisy) just up above the next lock on right before the railway bridge opposite the new flats .

Then onwards, I'd not bother stopping until the top of Newley locks - Ideally, Rodley before the swing bridge /near the pub) or AFTER near the boat yard.