River Ouse
Easter weekend was fast approaching, we had to make a decision on what we
![Naburn camp site](image/2011_0423naburnlock0009.jpg)
![Naburn site](image/2011_0423naburnlock0010.jpg)
![naburn yorkshire](image/2011_0423naburnlock0011.jpg)
Debs research told us that Naburn was four mile south of York and it was an easy paddle, grade one, good for beginners etc, it was four mile to York, by road, and the river meanders considerably increasing the distance to over double.(we forgot the GPS so can't give an accurate distance, but it takes about two and a half hours
![naburn lock](image/2011_0423naburnlock0012.jpg)
The River Ouse is tidal up to the Naburn Lock and the lock only operates at times of high tide. The lock keepers cottages are beautiful, more so than the French canals, the only thing missing is a little tea room selling teacakes and drinks
![River Ouse to Naburn village](image/2011_0423naburnlock0013.jpg)
Yet again we couldn't believe our luck, blue skies, 25 degs of heat and a light breeze.
![River Ouse at the entance of Naburn lock](image/2011_0423naburnlock0017.jpg)
![Kayaking on the river Ouse](image/2011_0423naburnlock0018.jpg)
![some old boats on the River Ouse](image/2011_0423naburnlock0022.jpg)
![Barges at York Marina](image/2011_0423naburnlock0023.jpg)
![One of the wonderful old buildings along the river banks](image/2011_0423naburnlock0024.jpg)
![York Bridges](image/2011_0423naburnlock0026.jpg)
The only thing we found we had to watch for was he elderly private owners with large power boats, these guys really didn't give a monkeys, speed limits, not for them, we were swamped twice by the same owner, taking water on both occasions. There are very large signs which ask owners to slow down when passing moored boats, this gentleman was obviously short on reading. He had boats, pontoons and landing flying all over.
![York Minster](image/2011_0423naburnlock0027.jpg)
On arriving at York, we needed somewhere to leave the kayaks safe so we could go off and have a walk around. I spotted a little gap between the pontoons of the Red Boat hire company and the river wall. Sending Debs to do the dirty work, she asked, for a small fee could we put our boats behind their pontoon and would they keep an eye on them. We left them there for a couple of hours and disappeared into the town
![York Minster](image/2011_0423naburnlock0028.jpg)
All in all a great weekend away, fantastic weather, great paddling, and some wonderful scenery. The only down side was the wash from the power boats, not the commercial guys, they are always on the lookout for you, it's the private owners.
It's an area we will return to and I advise anyone who likes gentle paddling to do this route as well as the Linton on Ouse to York route
![Linton](image/2011_0423naburnlock0029.jpg)
![York](image/2011_0423naburnlock0030.jpg)
![York](image/2011_0423naburnlock0031.jpg)
![York](image/2011_0423naburnlock0032.jpg)
![The bridges in York](image/2011_0423naburnlock0034.jpg)
![York](image/2011_0423naburnlock0035.jpg)
![Me](image/2011_0423naburnlock0038.jpg)