I was in a bit of a jam. I needed help as Rudolph was a bit
off colour. Canal Connections offered me a lift on one of their boats. They
picked me up at Granary Wharf at the back of Leeds railway station on one of
their boats. Could this be true!! I was in the middle of Leeds. We travelled
along the River Aire at 12 midday on a Friday Lunch time – I could not believe
what I was seeing.
We passed Asda and saw a few workers taking some time out
for a cigarette – I could not resist waving and shouting Merry Christmas –
sheepish waves were returned – is that because they were having a cig “behind
the bike shed” ! or just could not believe that Santa was passing on a boat
- which was more unusual? a moving boat
or Santa?
We approached Victoria Bridge – iconic landmark bang in the
centre of Leeds. On the bridge a group of young high achievers, business people
laughed and waved - on their way to a
christmas office party?
I looked to the left and saw a multitude of rubbish
collected against the bridge – street cones, take away boxes. I looked to the right and saw a kingfisher –
sat on a branch ready to pounce on an unsuspecting fish. We passed under the
bridge and the kingfisher swooped in front of the boat, its beautiful colours
glinting in the sunlight. It landed on a branch in the mouth of an underground
water drain. 10 yards further along I
saw a “rough sleeper” huddled in his sleeping bag under the cover of an arch. I
waved but could not shout Merry Xmas.
A short trip on the boat but showed so many images of Leeds
each not seen by the other.
We continued along passed bars with closed doors and windows
facing onto the waterfront. We passed many iconic residences with balconies
overlooking the waterfront but could only see 4 people to wave to. I waved to
the passing crowds walking on the waterfront but it amounted to less that 2
dozen !
The rest of the trip raised similar question marks as I went
to my grotto at Thwaite Mills where a “room for the night” had been set at the
visitor moorings. There was no room at
the Inn – 2 fishermen had beaten the boat. 1 laughingly gloated “we beat you
here” the other dangled his 6 metre pole in the centre of the navigation as if
goading the skipper to alter his course – moving it at the last second and
muttering obscenities. I could not wave
and wish a Merry Christmas.
We did not stop at the visitor mooring but glided into a
quiet spot. I asked the skipper if there
was something he would like for Christmas. A quiet reflection “ Today we are
celebrating Nelson Mandelas life. I would love to bring meaning to his speech –
“If we can learn to hate why cannot we be taught to love”.
The waterways are a wonderful resource in the centre of our
city – “surely there is room for all to learn, to relax, to enjoy?"
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| Santa's grotto at Thwaite Mills |
