A pretty grey sort of day today. And cool too. I actually put jeans on instead of shorts this morning!

Away at around 11, no rush, we’ve got a steady 9 miles or so without locks to the edge of Wigan. It’s surprisingly rural around Chorley, as the canal skirts the town to the East.

Botany Bay Outlet Village. The building used to be British Leyland Truck and Bus.
I seem to be collecting photos of motorway bridges. This is the M61 North of Chorley.
The rest of the long pound down to Wigan is pretty countryside only interrupted briefly by Adlington.
A long line of moored boats line the way into the town, ending at White Bear Marina. Last spring we came here to have a look at a boat for sale called Jackal. Not impressed. Then had a look at a new boat for sale. Not impressed with that, either.

White Bear Marina.
When you’ve not cruised a particular waterway before, you tend to try to organise night halts based on the map, and sometimes come unstuck. So I always make notes of suitable looking spots as we go along.

Like this stretch, South of Adlington.
There are also 48 hour Visitor Moorings at Red Rock Bridge, no 63.
The pleasant cruise continues in a pretty straight line SE to Wigan Top Lock, passing Haigh Hall Country Park with its golf course on the side of the canal. Do golf balls float? Didn’t see any in the water as we went past.

Golf Course.
We needed to stop before the top lock, as we’re planning an early start tomorrow to get through the 23 locks as soon as possible. So we pulled over near Springs Bridge and I had a walk down to the locks to check out mooring opportunities. Then we moved down and stopped next to the services just at the head of the flight.

Overnight mooring and top lock.
I took Meg for a walk down the locks this evening.

Some of them ain’t ‘alf deep!
On the way back Meg stood on a wasp and was stung at least twice. She hopped back on 3 legs, feeling very sorry for herself. I think she felt a little better after I bathed her paw with cold water, though.

Sore Paw.
Locks none, miles 9½.

Nearly had a casualty last night when I took Meg out for her last walk. This little chap was sitting in the middle of the path, just waiting to be stood on.

Lucky Toad.
He disappeared off into the undergrowth after I explained the perils of jay-walking. Or should that be hopping?

A steady 1½ hour run this morning took us to the top of Johnsons Hillock Locks. This is an attractive 4 mile stretch, especially when you leave the motorway behind.

Last look at the M65, with “traffic calming” in the foreground. I’m pleased to say we’ve not found any speed bumps, unless you count the sofa in the water under a bridge yesterday…
The navigation hangs on the side of the hill, passing Withnell Fold with its 48 hour moorings near the nature reserve.

Withnell Fold Moorings
There are also good moorings a little earlier, near Riley Green Bridge.

Some very nice property in the area, too.
Johnsons Hillock is a popular spot for mooring, the Wheelton Boat Club has a good ¼ mile along the towpath, and there are more boats on the offside. 2 “short boats” made a chicane of the approach to the top lock.

Johnsons Hillock Top Lock
All the locks were in our favour so we made good time down the flight of 7, finishing them in 1½ hours.


Johnsons Hillock Bottom Lock, disused Walton Summit Branch on the left.
The Walton Summit branch intended to link up with the Lancaster Canal at Preston. This meant an expensive aqueduct carrying the canal over the River Ribble. A temporary link was made by tramway in 1803, which was never replaced by a water route in the lifetime of the branch. Hence the Lancaster Canal was never properly joined to the main network, at least not until the opening of the Ribble Link in 2002, using the Rufford Arm and the tidal rivers Douglas and Ribble.

We didn’t want to push through to Chorley today, so moored about ½ mile below the locks.
We’ve seen very few boats on the move the last few days, just 2 today.

Locks 7, miles 5.

Today started dull and misty after overnight rain.

Misty Morning
We got away at just after 10 today, heading into Blackburn. Through the centre there is evidence of regeneration, but closed factories and mills follow the pattern set since Barrowford.

Imperial Mill

Part of the regeneration is a large retail park just before the locks, and we took advantage of the Asda to stock up with a few essentials. (Milk, bread, whisky…..).
Then down the locks. Unfortunately we’d been overtaken by another boat whilst shopping, so all the locks were against us, but, even with a stop at the sanitary station part way down, we were still clear of the flight by 14:00. The locks and surroundings are tidy and well maintained, but there is unfortunately a lot of rubbish in the water, including a large quantity of oil in the second lock.

Blackburn Locks
Two of the locks are very close to bridges, so incorporate unusual opening mechanisms for the bottom gates.

Lock 54
Out of the town, we passed through the suburb called Cherry Tree (no sign of the eponymous shrub, though), and moored a little further on near bridge 92. Out in the country, but the buzz of traffic from the M65 can be heard in the distance. It follows pretty much the same route as the canal, taking advantage of the same contours the canal engineer (John Longbottom) did 200 years ago.

Locks 6, miles 7.

Another fine, dry day yesterday so we had a blitz on the inside of the boat. At one point we had all of the mats hanging on a barbed wire fence alongside the boat!

Sunday’s mooring.
The weather changed overnight, rain blew in and gave us a grey, damp start to today. We got off around 10:30, down into Clayton-Le-Moors, past the site of Moorfields Colliery. This is where, in 1883, 68 men and boys died in an explosion caused by a build-up of methane and coal-dust. The youngest was just 10 years old.
There is an industrial estate there now, but a memorial near Pilkington Bridge acts as a reminder to passers-by.

Leaving Clayton we passed the half-way point between Leeds and Liverpool.

We had 3 swing bridges to negotiate today, all simple to operate being generally for farm access. No automatic barriers and flashing lights on these!

Several disused factories line the canal in Church.
Mural as we pass into Oswaldtwistle.
The canal does a long loop around the valley of the Hyndburn Brook, which joins the Calder near Clayton. It (the canal) runs south from Clayton, west from Church, then north and west again at Rishton.

Across the valley back to Church.
Through Rishton, and another mile or so further on we pulled over for the night. We’re a couple of miles from Blackburn, here. The built up area covers around 5 miles, and with 6 locks, will take probably 4 hours to get through. Tomorrow’s task.

Locks 0, miles 7

Up early today and on the move by just after 09:00. We’d had an unsettled night, with people going past till quite late. A bit too near the outskirts of Burnley, I guess.

Into Burnley and around a couple of bends on to the “Straight Mile”. This is the ¾(?) mile long embankment that carries the canal above the town.

The Straight Mile
Made a quick stop at the 24hr Tesco near 130F, then wound our way out of the town to the M65 aqueduct and Gannow Tunnel. This M65 crossing is the first of 4 we made today as the canal loops its way around the contours of the hills.

On the M65 Aqueduct (with interested dog)
Gannow Tunnel
Out into the sunshine and back under the motorway into Rose Grove, where BW have fairly recently opened visitor moorings and a sanitary station. (they’re not in my guide, anyway).

M65 again, from below this time!
2 more ducks under the motorway to Hapton, where we stopped for solid fuel. Useful place, I got a new chimney as well. Nice people. Another couple of windey miles, approaching then turning away from the M65 twice, before mooring at a pleasant spot near Smith’s Swing bridge, with a distant view of Pendle Hill.

Night Halt
It’s been another fine day, though cloudier than yesterday.

Locks none, miles 8½.

Woke up to a very misty morning, but with a promise of a fine, bright day to come. We decided to fill with diesel at the marina before moving off, so it was nearly 11:00 before we got away.

The couple of derelict boats at Salterforth have been removed by BW. Just a heap of debris on the quay awaiting collection.

Arrived at Foulridge Tunnel at just around noon, and had a few minutes to wait before we could enter. Very wet inside, with streams of water coming out of the roof in places, but the damp had allowed some impressive flowstone sculptures to develop.

Eastern Portal of Foulridge Tunnel. The spot is the other end, 1640 yards away.
Formations in the tunnel
Out into the sunshine about 20 minutes later, and on to Barrowford and the 7 locks at the start of the long descent to Liverpool. These are some of the best kept locks, in the most attractive setting, we’ve come across. Such a pity they lead down into the mill towns of Nelson and Burnley.

Barrowford Top Lock
Barrowford Locks

All were in our favour, so it took us only about 1¼ hours to get to the bottom. On around the edge of Nelson, where we believe we were shot at by a couple of youths lurking around a corner with an air pistol. We heard the pop as the gun went off before we saw the miscreants, but there’s no damage to the boat. At that range, the pellet probably wouldn’t reach anyway.

Glassless mill. Probably that air pistol.
Glad to be clear of the town, we entered the short rural-ish bit before Burnley, and found a suitable spot to spend the night. A 5 hour day, but we’ll have a short one tomorrow.

Between Nelson and Burnley, Pendle Hill on horizon.
Along the summit level there were extensive patches of green scum on the water's surface. Is this the toxic blue-green algae we've heard about?

Locks 7, miles 9.

Stayed put as planned yesterday. Got on with a few of those little jobs that always need doing, played ball and had a couple of good walks with Meg, got wet in the heavy showers later in the day….

We were joined at our mooring by another boat, name unknown but owned by Dave who had been out, on his own, since April. He is heading back to his mooring at Fettlers Wharf, on the Rufford branch. I suggested we shared the locks at Greenberfield, making it easier for both boats.

So we were off this morning at 10:00, in convoy away from the “wiggly bits” for the last time this year.

Last view of the “Wiggly Bits”

Up to East Marton and shouted cheerio to “Santa” on NB OMAHD. He’d always greeted us as we passed in either direction. Through the cutting Mags has named “The Enchanted Forest”

Enchanted Forest

And on to Greenberfield Locks.
Up through the locks in about 45 minutes, where we parted company with Dave when he stopped for water. We carried on for another ½ hour or so around the edge of Barnoldswick, and stopped for the night near Lower Park Marina. May fill up with diesel here tomorrow.

Lower Park Marina
The forecast was for dry, sunny weather, but we woke up to showers. These cleared soon though, and the cloud broke up around lunchtime to leave a fine bright afternoon.

Locks 3, miles 5½

A quiet end to last week, no visitors, just pottering about really. My training intensity winding down to prepare for Sunday gave me the opportunity (excuse!) to just laze about.
Picked up a car from Enterprise in Keighley on Friday, and, taking advantage of having wheels, did a good shop in Skipton on Saturday morning.

Up very early on Sunday, away heading up to Newcastle Upon Tyne and the Great North Run by 05:30. Parked up near the finish and left Mags and Meg to catch the bus to the start of the race. The atmosphere at this event is fantastic, everyone is excited and keyed up, the spectators line most of the route and really encourage the runners. It is the single event that raises the most money for charity in the UK. Most of the runners seem to be wearing a vest sponsoring a charity. There are also a lot of celebrities from sport and entertainment taking part, all raising money for their favourite causes. This is the fourth time I’ve run in this event, and it just seems to get better and better.

It was a good day for running, cool at the start but maybe a little too warm later. Martin Lel from Kenya was first home in 1:00:10, and the American Kara Goucher beat Paula Radcliffe into second place, in a time of 1:06:57. Paula was returning to competition after 21 months, following the birth of her daughter, so should not be too disappointed. It would have been good for her to win at the venue that has seen her break 2 world records, though. Full report here.

My time was a little slower, however. I still recorded another personal best, the 4th this year, coming in at 1:45:58, 3½ minutes faster than my previous best. All the hard work pays off.

Met up with Mags and friends back at the 12 mile marker, and had a half hour wind down watching the fun runners streaming past. Not to detract from the athletes, but these are the people the event is for, of all ages and abilities, gritting their teeth and getting to the finish of their own personal challenge.

Meg thought all her birthdays had come at once when the main body of runners reached where they were standing. She has a “thing” about plastic drinks bottles, probably the crunching noise they make when chewed. The last drinks station was at 11¼ miles, so the runners were discarding their empties just around where Meg was waiting. She didn’t know which to go for first, so many were coming in her direction at the same time!

A detour to drop friends back at Washington, and a hold up on the A1, meant we didn’t get back to Gargrave till around 18:00. A long day and I was starting to flag by then.

A quiet day yesterday. A trip to Ingleton to collect the last of the mail and to say goodbye to everyone, then taking the car back to Keighley.

We set off this morning on the first leg of our journey south. A little later than planned, as someone had left a top gate paddle up on Anchor lock, resulting in an empty pound above. It took the lockies a couple of hours to replenish the levels, so it was around 11:30 when we finally said goodbye to Gargrave.

Saying goodbye to the ducks.
And Gargrave
Another fine dry day, but cooler than yesterday. We were joined by a hire boat out of Silsden for all 9 of the locks to the top of Bank Newton, and, with the help of the lock-keepers, were through them by 14:00. Moored in our usual spot on the wiggly bits 20 minutes later. We’re stopping here till Thursday morning, BW are doing some work on a ground paddle at the top lock at Greenberfield tomorrow, closing the flight till 13:00.

It’s been enjoyable these last few weeks, but it’s time to be moving on. Getting itchy feet again. If anyone from BW happens to read this, I’d like to mention Richard, Simon, Steve and Mick, the lock-keepers responsible for Gargrave and Bank Newton. Their attitude and good humour is commendable.

Should be posting more regularly again, now that we are on the move. And there should be some more pictures, too.

Locks 9, miles 2½.

Another dry bright morning, but the wind from the north is still with us, cooling things down. Down to Bank Newton top lock by 11:30, waiting for George and Christine, who arrived about 12:00. A couple of hours for lunch, catching up on the news and giving Mags her birthday present (arrived at George’s the day before) and we decided to shove off down the locks.

Our visitors stayed with us, George helping me with the locks, and Christine keeping Mags company. We parted company at the bottom of Bank Newton, they headed for home while we headed for Gargrave. Nearly stopped for the night at the Aire aqueduct, but decided to press on down the 3 locks into the village. Arrived and moored up by 16:00.

We’ll be here now till Tuesday, when we intend to start our journey south. I’ve got a hire car booked for Friday till Monday, that will take us up to Newcastle Upon Tyne for the Great North Run on Sunday. We’re expecting to see some of our northerly based family and friends there, too.

Locks 9, miles 2½

As the forecast predicted, it was very windy Sunday and Monday. In fact, one gust was strong enough to blow the steel chimney cap of the roof and into the cut! Not many boats moving, either. Can’t really blame them.

I rang Low Park Marina at Barlick yesterday to see if they’d had a delivery of solid fuel, and set off this morning at around 10:45 to collect it. A much better day, dry but with a cool breeze from the north. The intention was to make it a 2 day trip, up through Greenberfield and to the marina, turn around and stop overnight, then return on Wednesday. But George rang to say they were coming over to see us Wednesday lunchtime, so we need to be back near Bank Newton by then. We decided to return to the “wigglies” today, leaving just a 20 minute cruise to the top of the locks tomorrow.

So we turned near the Anchor Inn at Salterforth (didn’t stop for a pint this time), back past the permanent moorings and the marina, and retraced our route back to the mooring.

Derelicts on the Salterforth Permit Holders moorings.

While I was mooching around in the chandlery at the marina, I spotted this and couldn’t resist it. I recovered the chimney cap with it in a few minutes when we got back to the mooring. I’m sure it’ll come in useful in the future, as well.

Sea Searcher Magnet.

Got back around 6 o’clock, after what seemed to be a long day.

Locks 6, miles 12½

We’ve been here at Gargrave since arriving back with Val and John last Monday, and anyway we are running short of water so we need to go up to the service point. After filling up, we moved back up through the 3 Gargrave locks and the Bank Newton flight, and moored in our usual spot on the “wiggley bits”. We were accompanied up most of the locks by the local lockies, and I got reprimanded for walking across the lock gates from one side of the chamber to the other. Apparently a “Near Miss” report has to be filled in every time this is witnessed. So I’ll be good (when BW guys are around)!

I’m not going to make any comments about Health and Safety Regulations, apart from the view that these rules are being implemented in response to (and fear of) our litigious culture, one of the less desirable imports from our transatlantic cousins. From next year, the same blood/alcohol limits for motor vehicles is to be applied to boat users, despite there being no evidence to support the idea that drink is a major factor in boating accidents. In fact, the few reported drownings due to inebriation are of people returning home or back to their boat along the towpath after a skinful in the pub!

It’s been cloudy with sunny spells, and quite warm, though the forecast for the next few days is poor, windy and wet, and colder with a northerly wind.

Mags had a quiet birthday yesterday, though she got quite a few cards and phone calls. Her present from me hasn’t arrived yet, though.

Locks 9, miles 2½

We collected Val and John as planned, and set off from Gargrave on Friday at around 11:00. Not much to report of our steady run up through the last 3 locks out of Gargrave and the 6 at Bank Newton. The weather was fine and dry, but there was a moderate wind from the NW. On down to the “wiggly bits” again, and a chilly night, but the clear skies gave superb views of the stars, with the Milky Way clearly visible.

The morning was misty and cool, good for cobweb photos.
We set off again towards Barnoldswick. Only the odd boat moving, a lot quieter than expected.


Stopped at Low Park Marina for diesel and coal, got the diesel but he only had 1 10Kg bag of smokeless left. That won’t last long if it gets cold! Still, we’ve still got a 25Kg bag on the roof from last spring, so between them they’ll last about a week.

BW services at Greenberfield
Val came out of the marina shop sporting a fishing net (you know, the kind used by kids for minnows), and a new ball for Meg. The net was apparently for fishing balls out of the cut, but she had an ULTERIOR MOTIVE. We’d passed a few back gardens in Barlick containing apple trees with a lot of ripe fruit. Her idea was to swing the boat in to the side on the way back and “scrump” the apples with the net!

After the boatyard we travelled another mile or so before winding just past the Anchor at Saltersford. This is the pub built on top of the old one when the canal was cut, and has stalactites in the cellar! The original structure dates back to 1655. Just before the pub the bank of the canal was filled with blackberries, so we mooched in to the side and helped ourselves from the boat. We soon had a big bowl full. (To go with the apples….).

Blackberry Picking
After a pint in the pub we moved back up to just past the boatyard again and stopped for the night. We had a blackberry crumble for pudding as I was still trying to sway Val from her larcenous plans.

Where did all the washing up come from.....?
Meg wanting a wee
Sunday morning was dry and bright and we got off at around 10:30. Into Barlick and we unfortunately just happened to pass the target garden without stopping. Just as well, as the lady of the house was watching out of her kitchen window! Phew, no civil action to worry about, then!

John on the tiller

Arrived back at the wiggly bits early afternoon. We’d had a call from Mark and Melanie, saying they were on the way, and they arrived just before the rain set in.
It got a little cramped on board, with Mark and Melanie, their 3 girls and Bess the labrador, as well as us and Val and John. Still we found seats for everyone, and I had a (very noisy!) game of Frustration with Jo and Laura (Laura won).

By the time they set off back down the towpath the rain had settled in and they faced a wet 15 minute walk back to the car.

In the morning we set off back to Gargrave, threatening weather just giving us the occasional light shower. We had a very quick run down Bank Newton locks, with 2 duty lockies setting the locks for us. Back into the village at 13:00, and said goodbye to V and J.

Val and John in Bank Newton

We’ve had a very enjoyable few days, good company, good food, reasonable weather, although a rather rough white wine needed a drop of lemonade to make it more palatable. Still, the red was good, as was the malt whisky! Meg enjoyed the company too. It gave her the choice of 2 beds to jump on in the morning!

Back to ourselves for a few days now I guess.
The weather was cold last night, so I lit the fire, but the forecast is for warmer, but wet and windy conditions later in the week.

For the weekend,
Locks 24, miles 22.

Just a quick update. We’re still at Gargrave, as planned. Mags has had her “MOT” and has been pronounced mechanically sound for another 12 months. In fact, the doctor said she’d never looked so well! Must be all the fresh air and running up and down locksides!

We’ve been visiting family and friends over in Ingleton, and been visited here as well. Picked up a car from Enterprise last Friday, and went to Howard’s going away do on Saturday. He left for his new home in Eire last night. It was busy, and Mags had a chance to catch up with people we hadn’t seen since leaving last August.

Then on Sunday we went down to Sheffield for the inaugural Great Yorkshire Run. I’d always intended to run a sub 45 minute 10k, and was disappointed to finish in 45:02 in Manchester in May. So I’d been training hard for this race. I had a good start and a reasonable middle, but the pace and the inclines took their toll and I struggled at the end. Crossed the line with gritted teeth in 44:43, but it felt harder than Manchester. Pleased, though. Placed 317th out of 4500, but I don’t think that qualifies me for Beijing.
The organisation was excellent, as expected from the organisers of the Great North Run and the rest of the Great Run series. They say they will certainly do it again next year. I’m sure the entry will be a lot higher as well, maybe finally rivalling the 20,000 or so at Manchester.

Went to our old friends Val and Johnny for lunch on Monday, and we are having them for a cruise down to Foulridge and back at the weekend. The weather looks promising, so it should be a good few days. I’ll knock off the training for the duration, so we can open a bottle (or 2)!

The rental car went back today, but it’s been useful. I mentioned earlier that I was keeping an eye on a suspect battery; well it was sick, dropping down to 10 volts when disconnected from the main bank. So I used the car to get a replacement, and to environmentally (at Settle recycling site) dispose of the old one.

So that’s it for the time being. Oh, I’ve run some wires down the back of the cabin linings, connected to a switch and the overhead lights, so Mags can turn on the lights without leaving her seat. The problem is, all the light switches run down the centre of the ceiling, and she couldn’t reach them, even on tiptoe.

We’re staying near Gargrave till the end of the month, and will use another hire car from Keighley to get to the Great North Run on the 30th.

PS Just noticed a comment from Mo and Vanessa on NB BALMAHA. Check out their blog at http://balmaha.blog.co.uk/

Back to Gargrave today. We’re now on long-life milk, and Mags has had to bake an “emergency” loaf of bread, without yeast. A bit solid, but not so bad. And the loos are about full, the water tank getting low.

We‘ve had a good few days out in the sticks, and, although the weather hasn’t been particularly helpful, I’ve managed to get the RH side below the gunwhale repainted.

So we got off about eleven, and waited for another boat we saw in the distance when we arrived at Bank Newton. It turned out to be a hire boat from Skipton, but my concerns for the new paint when sharing the locks where unfounded, as they were very careful. We travelled down the 6 Bank Newton locks in company, but separated at the bottom when we stopped for water. Filling here means we don’t have to go right up to the sanitary station in Gargrave, which would necessitate reversing back down the canal to a mooring. The rubbish and toilet cassettes I can carry.

The last 3 locks back down into the village where done solo, with the lock-keeper helping out with the last one. We arrived at around 14:30, and had a little trouble finding enough water to moor. It would have been better on the official 3 day mooring further along, but we will be staying longer than that. The pounds all the way down through Gargrave are low, the bottom one down by about a foot. I don’t know what the situation would have been like if we hadn’t had all that rain in June/July.

Stopping here for a week or so, Mags has her appointments at the Docs, and I need to get a car to get to Sheffield on Sunday for the 10K I’ve been training for.

Locks 9, miles 2½.

A short hop back to our previous mooring spot. We’re now facing the other way though, so I can concentrate on repainting the right hand side of the hull. The weather may not be helpful, though. The forecast is dull and damp.
I think we may have a duff battery. 1 cell on no. 3 is not gassing under charging, and the whole bank doesn’t seem to be lasting as well as it should. I’ll keep an eye on it over the next week, and if I have to change it I’ll do it when we’ve got a car for the weekend, so I can dispose of the old one properly.

Locks 0, miles 1½.