On from Wigan

Lancaster Castle

We decided to catch the train to Lancaster on Monday.  Our hope was to cruise the Lancaster Canal on Falcon, but last year we discovered she is too deep draughted to use the Ribble Link.

Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park

 It was a lovely day and we were moored a short distance from Wigan station.  Well Lancaster is a lovely city.  So many historic places to visit.  We went into Tourist Information where the guide was very helpful.  Coming out armed with a city walk plan we made our way around.  Only having the day we didn't have time to properly explore the many museums and the castle.  Also the weather was far too lovely to be indoors.  Not only were there many lovely buildings to look at, once you were up by the castle the views out over were stunning.  We did walk by the River Lune for a while, then after some lunch we got a bus to Williamson Park.  Walking up the hill to the Ashton Memorial.  From here we could see the sea and out across Morecambe Bay.
It wasn't until we were on the train home that i realised we hadn't found the canal!  Definitely a place we want to come back to.
The stoppage at Plank Lane had bee cleared, so on Tuesday we set off, passing Plank Lane yesterday.  There is a lift bridge there, so again I get to stop the traffic.  Thankfully all went well and last night we moored at Leigh.  When we set off today we will join the Bridgewater Canal.  This is a private canal and we can only be on there for 7 days.  It is 40 miles long and has no locks.  So we should have plenty of time.
Anyway time to be moving on today, catch you later.

Inside the dome of the Ashton Memorial

Leaving the Rufford Arm

We ended up spending Tuesday night at Tarleton and didn't leave until Wednesday morning.  Several swing bridges along the way, thankfully they opened fairly easily.

Swing Bridge on the Rufford Arm

We passed St Mary's Marina
where Falcon had been moored for 3 months about lunch time.  Stopping just after to eat.  We reached Chicken Lock in time to see a boat coming the other way.  The lock was empty so we were first in.  This is the lock we had had so much trouble with on the way down.  The water leaks out quicker than it goes in!  On the other boaters suggestion Paul tipped our ash bucket down inside the bottom gate which helped to block the hole somewhat.  In all our years of boating we had never thought to try that.  You can always learn something new.

Water is a bit low!

With 4 more locks to the end of the arm we moored for the night.
Setting off early on Thursday morning the first lock went well.  Then above the next lock the water level was way down as you can see by the picture.  So I had to go ahead to let water down and finally Paul came through.
Because I had let so much water through the next pound was now low.  Having let in the water to bring the boat up we decided to stop for a coffee before the next challenge.  There was a shout from the bank and a guy from Canal and River Trust was there.  On a routine check, so he levelled up the pound for us and after our coffee break we were able to carry on.  Similar situation have occurred to us on various times during our 7 years of cruising, but usually we have to sort it for ourselves.
Now on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal we spent the night at Parbold.
Yesterday we arrive at Wigan.  So we will be able to restock the larder before we move on.  Not sure now when that will be as at the moment there is a stoppage due to pollution at Plank Lane, only about 5 miles on.  So will have to wait for the update on Monday.

Back on the cut

Paul winding in the distance!

Well after 3 months in St Mary's Marina we finally left on Sunday.  It was good to be out on the canal and to see fields either side of us instead of looking out on boats.  It was very windy so we didn't travel very far.  Just 2 miles and 2 swing bridges, we then moored for the night.
So yesterday morning we moved on to Tarleton.  Just one more swing bridge.  Went for a walk around the village in the afternoon.  Quite a few shops there, more than I had expected.

Coming back to moor at Tarleton

This morning we walked on to look at the last lock taking the canal down on to the River Douglas and then on to the Ribble.
We had hoped to go out of here in the summer and on to the Lancaster Canal, however we are too deep draughted to cruise the Ribble Link which would take us from the estuary on the to Lancaster Canal.  So that will be for the future on a hire boat.  Probably later today we will start heading back towards the main Leeds and Liverpool Canal and start our journey south.

Final lock on the Rufford Arm of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal