Arriving in Liverpool

Continuing our trip towards Liverpool the countryside is so much flatter so the few locks there are, are well spaced.  As we get closer to Liverpool however there are several swing bridges to stop me

Looking back to the bottom lock of the Stanley Lock Flight

from getting bored!  The canal take us through Aintree and along the edge of the racecourse.  No horses about!  As we are well into autumn with few leaves on the trees we can see across the track quite well.
Not many boats around and the water is very clear, unusual for a canal!  Lots of coots around as well as the usual ducks and moorhens.  Also the occasional swan.
On Wednesday we arrived at Hancock's Bridge.  A swing bridge which because it is a busy road the times of opening are restricted.  So at just after 9.30 I opened the bridge and Paul went through.  By now a fair few cars had arrived and

The 3 Graces, Liver Building is the far one.  you can see our shadow on the wall

a bus.  When I pushed the button to close the bridge nothing happened!  So we had to call Canal and River Trust (CRT)! It took them about 20 minuets to arrive but they were on the wrong side to look the workings so Paul had to take them across in the boat!  Thankfully most of the drivers were OK and eventually the bridge was closed and we all got on our way.  Unfortunately it wasn't far to Netherton Swing Bridge.  This time Paul got through and I closed the bridge, however the road barrier wouldn't lock back into place.

Cold but happy to have arrived in Liverpool

So once again I had to call CRT!  This time however we just tied the barrier with string so it couldn't swing open on to a car and we carried on to Litherlands.  There was 1 more swing bridge, however this one was mechanical and all went well.
Thursday was our final part of the journey.  No more swing bridges!  CRT have to unlock the flight of 4 locks at Stanley.  There were 4 lockeepers there.  2 volunteers and 2 we had seen at Hancocks Bridge!  As we started out the sun came out and the final part of our trip was wonderful  I stayed on the boat with Paul all the way.  Once again we saw a kingfisher along Sids Ditch, which is a channel through the industrial area of the docks.  By 3 pm we were moored and sat by the fire with a hot chocolate.  Yesterday my cousin Dawn and her husband Dave came from Manchester to see us and tomorrow Paul's cousin Alison and her friend Gill arrive for 4 days, but they are staying in a hotel nearby.  So we will all be off exploring together!  We are here for a week.

Passing through Wigan

At the top lock waiting to descend the 21 locks

We arrived at the top of the 21 locks on Wednesday ready to start on Thursday morning when the locks opened at 8.30.  It was just gone 9 when we set off.  First 2 locks were empty, so I filled the first one then when Paul was in left it emptying whilst I went to prepare the second lock.  I had the intention of walking back up to open the gate for him once the second lock was open.  However someone was smiling at us as not one but 2 lock keepers had arrived.
This was ideal as one stayed with us whilst the other went on ahead to prepare the next lock.

Large deep locks

Finished 21 locks then one more before we can moor.

They are all big locks with anti vandal locks on each paddle so it all takes time.
Just over half way we had a short stop for a coffee break and a much needed sit down.
Only to find once we set off again a third lock keeper had arrived.
These are all volunteers so we were very grateful for their help.  Because of their help we were moored in Wigan having lunch by about half past one.
On Friday we walked into Wigan town centre, finding a lovely little cafe for lunch.


Spending a second night there we left Wigan after lunch yesterday having got water first.
Moving on today, making the most of the lovely sunshine while it lasts!

A lovely day as we left Wigan

Nearer to Liverpool

Last Tuesday we cruised through Blackburn.  We did stop there for lunch and some shopping in Aldi which was conveniently close to the mooring.

Eanam Wharf, Blackburn

With a set of 6 locks on the far side of the city we worked 4 of them before stopping for water.  There was space there so we stopped for the night.  The next day we set off just as the rain started, quite a downpour, so in the end we literally worked the 2 locks and then moored again!
After lunch, the rain had eased so it was off to the launderette!  Luckily it wasn't far and the rain mostly kept away.

Some info!

Bottom Lock, Notice the signpost.

Looking up what would have been the Lancaster Canal.
The Johnson Hillock Locks can be seen through the trees.

Approaching Botany Bay.

Making our way slowly along the scenery is amazing, in one part we could see out over the Pennines on both sides of the canal.  In other places we are winding our way through trees with their leaves all changing colour. Our canal guide had said Withnell Fold was a pretty village.  It was right.  Apart from all the parked cars it was just like stepping back in time.  The cottages had been built for the mill workers.  The mill was still there, but parts of it quite derelict.

We came down Johnson Hillock Locks (not easy to say!) on Saturday.  There had been a lot of rain overnight but thankfully that had stopped.  7 locks in total.  The first couple were empty so I had to fill them! then we had a couple of full ones, then in the penultimate lock I couldn't open the gate as the water out side was higher than the water inside, at the top of the lock.  Anyway Paul worked out that refilling the previous lock would lower the pound enough.  It did so we were able to cruise through.  Helped by a passing cyclist who was very willing to stop and give a hand.



Was very glad to reach the bottom as it was way past time for coffee!!
The original canal plan was for the Lancaster Canal to share part of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal but dis to lack of funds this never happened and the picture is a short arm which should have become the Lancaster Canal.
We didn't stop for long as we wanted to make it to Botany Bay!  It is an old mill which has been converted to a shopping area.  So once moored we just had to go for a look around.  Amazingly didn't buy anything!

The mooring is on the outskirts of Chorley but the town centre is quite a way from the canal, but very close to the M61.  So on Sunday we moved on again a short distance to Adlington.

Today we got the train into Chorley to visit their market.  Lots
of different stalls, many getting ready for Christmas!

We only have about 5 miles left before we reach the Wigan Flight. 21 Locks which lead down to, yes you guessed, Wigan.  Something to look forward to!

Rishton for the night

We went through Burnely on Wednesday, only stopping for lunch.  During the course of the day Paul had to 'go down' the weed hatch 3 times with all the debris the prop was picking up.  On one occasion

Accrington Town Hall with Market Hall in the background.

it was a sleeping bag.  The available moorings didn't look so good so we carried on to Rose Grove where the moorings are secure within the Canal and River Trust Yard.
Spending the night there we didn't move off until after lunch when we made the short cruise of a couple of miles to Hapton.  Not a lot there but it was a good point to meet up with our niece Cheryl who came to see us on Friday.  Driving from Stockport.  Been a couple of months since we last saw her so it was good to catch up.

Our lunchtime mooring on Sunday

Saturday was very windy so as the canal in this area is particularly bendy rather than try and cruise we got the bus into Accrington.  There were some lovely old buildings and we found a nice Italian Restaurant for lunch.  With good Wifi as well as good food so we were able to fill up and up date at the same time!
On Sunday we had amazing views over the Pennines.  With hills and valleys on both sides, the picture does it no justice at all.  The clouds made the hills look really brooding.  Forunately although there was cloud we didn't have any rain.

At Church, this marks the midway point between Leeds and Liverpool

There are no locks on this section
but moving on after lunch yesterday there were 3 swing bridges to bring us to Church where we moored for the night.
Having moved on to Rishton this morning we are now over half way on our journey to Liverpool, but only just!