Friday 14 July 2016

We walked to the supermarket but realised as we got there that again neither of us had brought any money with us (another senior moment)!  As it took half an hour to walk each way we asked the volunteer at the lock whether it was ok to moor down by the bridge to go to the shop and he said he wouldn’t leave the boat without one person on it. We decided to forget the shopping until later in the day – we will stop somewhere else. 

As we set off it was overcast but not raining. It didn’t take long though and it waited for me to be off the boat setting a lock then it chucked it down!! Once in the lock we dashed inside to get the waterproofs on (and a dry set of clothes for me!).  Steve managed to hover under the motorway waiting for me to open the lock!

The locks here all have security locks on them to help combat the vandalism problems and to save the water.  Apparently if people leave the lock gates open all the water flows down through the Wigan flight (which we will do on the way back to Manchester – 21 locks) then nobody can navigate through the flight as there is not enough water in the pounds.  It is obviously a problem as the locks in the town are locked closed from 8pm to 8am.

Once away from Wigan we chugged through some more lovely countryside – shame it rained for most of the day.  There are not many boats moving around.  We stopped in a village called Parbold and picked up a few supplies.

Through five locks which were all hard work and four swing bridges where we had to stop the traffic (shame it was rush hour for the last couple) and the motorists can get quite impatient some of them see you about to put the barriers down and put their foot down and come speeding past!  On one where you have to manually put the barriers across the road, I opened one barrier and a car followed me over the bridge so he could go as soon as I had opened the one on the other side!

We finally stopped at a place called Haskayne where a nice couple walking their dog welcomed us to Merseyside.  We decided to go to the pub for dinner as we were both too tired to cook or clear up!  The Ship is reputed to be the first pub on the canal, although it has been refurbished recently so didn't resemble the dark low beamed pub as described in  the book.

Leaving Wigan chatting to our friendly volunteer lock keeper.

Despite the obvious bits of vandalism there are some nice canalside cottages and many of the mills have been refurbished and converted into offices or flats.  

Or pubs!

Wigan Town Football Club.

Chocolate Frog.

Drowned Rat Pac-a-mac Frog!

I'm glad to say that a few of the swing bridges along here are no longer in use as they take almost as much time as a lock!

And through a working swing bridge.

We're in Lancashire!

Stuck in the lock - I almost didn't get the gate open but managed to open the other one first which enabled me to open the one on the side the boat was - It wouldn't have been very good if Steve had had to climb up the steps in this lock to help me as it is very deep and everything is soaking wet.

We're getting there!

but then again she may not!

A very British gnome!

Stopping at Parbold Village.

It's very small but has some lovely old buildings.

Entrance to the Rufford Branch which takes you up to The Ribble - we are on the list for a cancellation to cross The Ribble - I wasn't organised enough in booking it - it is tidal and there is only passage for four boats a day, for three days you can go up then the next three days you can come down - it takes you across to the Lancashire Canal up to Carnforth which is the furthest North you can go on the West of the Country.  If we don't get the cancellation we will have to come back and do it another time.

There are so many mill developments here, it's good to see the old buildings being used rather than being pulled down and replaced with a modern block.

Another swing bridge - hurry up Steve these motorists are getting impatient!

Wow silver and gold! 

Arriving at The Ship and the sun comes out at 6.45pm - it seems to do that a lot in the West - we have the better weather at the end of the day - when we have finished cruising!