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!