Friday 29 July 2016

A quick dash to the local co-op for a few supplies then we set off in the rain!  We hung on until late morning in the hope that it would pass but had to get going.

Just as we were untying we spotted Matilda - a huge wide beam that chugs at 1mph – coming along so we quickly (well as fast as a narrowboat can go) got away in front of her!

We stopped at a place called Botany Bay village where we picked up a nice fresh loaf and some free range eggs - four floors of arts and crafts and a garden centre but Steve said we didn't have time for browsing as we wanted to beat Matilda to the flight of locks. 

We climbed Johnson's Hill Locks, a flight of seven locks, which still seemed quite a challenge - not sure if it's because I am still aching from the Wigan Flight or whether all the locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal are difficult!  As it's school holidays we did enlist some help from a couple of youngsters.

The countryside here is amazing and as we climbed up the flight the views were spectacular, it was nice that the sun also put in an appearance for a short while.  I couldn't live in the North West the weather is so rubbish! 

We stopped at a nice little village called Withnell Fold.  There isn’t a shop or pub here but it is a small estate village which was built to house workers at the canalside paper mills which have now been converted into small industrial units.

Glad we got away in front of Matilda!

Strange choice of garden ornaments!

Much prefer the flowers!

This is Botany Bay in the middle of nowhere!

Making our way up the Johnson's Hill Locks

 

The views at the top are well worth the effort!

We should have stopped here and gone to the pub - we've heard several good reports but we filled up with water and chugged on.

I'm a believer too!

Looking up to the mill from the canal. 

No messing in this village - get in trouble and you will be in the stocks!

The quaint little church.

Views of the Pennines in the distance. 

A memorial in a pleasant garden.

Standing on the bridge looking down.

The weather has a habit of being nice in the evening when it all feels a bit too late!