Walk along the waterfront: The Aire waterfront at Leeds has always attracted me as an ideal location for the walks. Aire is a river which flows from Liverpool to Hull and passes Leeds in a west to east orientation.This water way has been used as a principal method of transport in the old times when the railways were not existing.Leeds city council has taken visible efforts to make this waterfront a good walking experience.The stretch being discussed here is from near the Wellington Industrial estate to Clarence dock ( near Royal armories ).There are distinct advantages of walking along this waterfront.
The air is fresh.
There is no air pollution.This becomes a health enhanced walk.The water stream might be polluted due to inflows from urban drainage at several locations but the ambient air is pure and contains lots of oxygen.
There is absolutely no vehicular traffic.
Of course, cycles & prams are driven on the banks.But their mechanism is such that there are no noise,speed or exhaust perils associated with them.The babies and cyclists ,on the contrary, bring a positive energy on the scene.Cyclists are generally seen in a group of four to five. Occasionally single cyclists are also seen.
There is no need to take care of the traffic signals.
On this water front,there is nothing to watch for like pedestrian traffic signals , concrete roads,double yellow lines etc .This is obvious since there are no roads, no traffic and no vehicles.
This is within the city limits .
There is no need to travel to a long distance to start the walk.Leeds railway station is very near to the water front.The city center is hardly two kilometers from north bank.Water front is approachable from Wellington industrial estate,Granary wharf,Leeds railway station,Leeds bridge,Crown point bridge,Centenary bridge or Clarence dock .
This can be a mentally stimulating walk .
There are gentlemen fishing on the banks.Watching the fishing itself can be a very interesting thing.With all that fishing gear,attire and ambiance ,it looks as if some renowned painter is completing the landscape on canvass.
Enjoy the graffiti by the local artists.
This can be found on the stone walls or the underside of the old bridges.Specially near the old stone bridge near Wellington estate .
At some places ,the artists have even used the sign boards of the British waterways as the medium for their artwork.
Study the construction of the old bridges and tunnels.
The waterfront has been developed in such a way that this passes under several bridges .The bridges are crossed through a short tunnel.There are a few places when one has to climb the bridge through stair case .The bridges are quite interesting structures to observe .History of the bridge,construction materials used,techniques deployed and the bridge architecture are certain aspects which can be explored .
For example, it is learnt that earlier,there was no connection between these banks near Leeds railway station.The only means to travel from the city center to the Holebeck area via Railway station was ferry service which was inconvenient and unsafe.In 1829,a wooden bridge was erected across Aire so as to connect the Sovereign street & Neville Street (North bank)with the Water lane and the Manor street (South bank) However,after serving for nearly eight years,this bridge got uprooted during floods in the year 1837.Thereafter,a strong and sturdy bridge was built up and named in the honor of the Queen. The name "Victoria" carved on the crown stones of the bridge can be seen here.
Observe the ferry boats :
These are moored at the Clarence dock or at the Granary wharf at the private moorings.Clarence dock always has a few posh looking boats where as the old boats can be seen moored near Granary wharf . Then one can always come across boats which are in cruising mode.
Usually this shall be a team of husband & wife travelling in their boat accompanied by the children or pet or both.
Observe the canal Locks in operations.
There are three water locks in the vicinity of Leeds .These are near the Clarence dock,near Granary wharf, and just before the Wellington industrial area.
Collect and compile useful information:
For example, there are display boards on the east face of Victoria bridge(south bank of river Aire) and on the east face of the Crown point bridge (north bank).These boards give old photographs and history of the waterfront.The board at the Crown point bridge opposite to the Parish church is a beautiful engraving on a metallic plate.
Observe the babies in prams accompanying their parents.
This offers to be a good formula to counter the stress.Just have a glimpse of the baby resting peacefully in the pram.The serenity and comfort in the eyes of a baby resting and being walked in the pram is unparalleled.
Enjoy the pets being walked along the waterfront.
With leash or without, the pets have a distinguished manner of enjoying the nature.The tamed pets do not normally bother a walker as long as there is no provoking.
Take a rest on the benches
There are benches installed on the banks for relaxing.Many types of benches ranging from old to new,straight & curved ,traditional style,vintage type ,wooden,stone,bricks ,cast iron have been provided for the walkers to take some rest.
Walking is just like visiting the Leeds museum.
The waterfront has a potential of being continually explored.Each visit brings forth new dimensions.This is similar to the experience of visiting the Leeds museum .In each visit,it provides a deeper insight.
No special preparation is needed:
A Walk along the water front is an activity which can be initiated without any specific preparations.There is no formal dress needed.Although it is in city,yet it is away from the hassles of a city.A simple shirt,cargo trousers,a winter jacket,sports shoes with socks is all that is suggested as a walking gear. A good camera is desirable to capture moments although not a must .A cell phone with a two mega pixels camera is also an excellent tool.It does not herald the walker a tourist ,is not very conspicuous,its pocket-able and hence hands are free.
Unless the urban sky line is to be observed,a binocular is not necessary. As such the vision along the waterfront is quite limited.At any given point of time,one does does not have to look beyond 200 meters.
Precautions to be taken while walking on the waterfront:
1.Take care of the earthen banks .There are several locations where the banks have not been constructed or paved.There is grass and soft soil on the banks.Usually only one side of the bank is walkable.This needs to be identified and followed.
2.At few spots,there is no railing on the banks.So,walk carefully along the edge especially during rainy season and if you are walking with kids with you.
3.Avoid darkness for the walks .It is not advisable to walk in the night. Although the water front is reasonably lit,the bridge undersides are usually dark.
4.Remember the buoys locations :
Red colour floats or buoys are fixed on the nearby grills or posts. Usually the rescue phone number and the station number are written there. It is better to read the safety instructions.
5.Always keep the cell phone on person during the walk.
This might be required in the event of any, God forbid, emergencies.
6.Follow Normal etiquette :
when you come across a fellow walker,do pass a smile. If the other person is withing a close proximity,better say "cheers "and continue to walk.Most regular walkers or joggers have ear plugs in the ear and iPod in the trousers .So only a grin or a nod is adequate.
In case some one is walking a dog,it is better if you show respect to the pet and change the sides.
Summary:
Walks are good for physical and mental health.The Aire water front provides a safe destination for regular walks.Not much preparations are required.With certain basic precautions it is certainly a very enjoyable thing to do while at Leeds.
