Trafford Park

Today's Canal - Bridgewater

We awoke to grey skies but a weather forecast that promised that it would be dry all morning with the hope of a little sunshine in the afternoon. So, Mike started by preparing a few more of the chipped paint areas ready for touching up later on. No sooner had he sorted out the equipment and made a start but he could feel dampness in the air. Alas, before he could make much progress, real rain arrived and stayed until lunch time.

No excuses, it was back to finishing off a report that he has been drafting for the past few days.

It was coffee time before we donned waterproofs and set off. Immediately we passed the end of the North Avenue of Dunham Massey Hall which we had seen from the other end yesterday. We have passed here several times in the past but never really noticed the avenue.

Even with the photo zoomed right in, only a small part of the house can be see, no real indicator of the size of building that lies behind that view.

Not sure why this boat got its name but perhaps the owners think it looks a picture. (Joke, geddit?)

The well-known landmark of the former Linotype Works came into view. Work was already in hand two years ago when we last passed by and the last section is now having the footings put in, for yet more housing. Much of the property already finished has a decidedly industrial character to it - if you like that sport of thing.

Another older building, now derelict (although Google Street View dated 2018 does seem to show a To Let sign) is part of this once busy industrial area rapidly being overtaken by little more than insatiable hosing schemes. We have not been able to find from old maps what the purpose was for this building but it does appear gto have been linked to the canal at some stage. All that the OS maps say is that the canalside next to it was a coal wharf.

We continued along the two mile straight section to Sale where, after passing under the main road bridge, we moored for easy access to the shopping centre. We did not need a lot but did spit a specialist fish shop who proved very chatty whilst filleting our fish for tomorrow evening.

Back at the boat and we had lunch before continuing our journey. The verge of grass between the canal and the cyclepath had recently been cut but we saw that some patches had been left uncut.

Closer inspection showed that these had been loft so that the wild orchids could continue flowering.

We also saw a short stretch with water lilies on either side. Not remarkable except that they had much smaller flowers than we normally find.

That's the River Mersey - not too far after its main source at Stockport. It will grow quickly and soon will join the Ship Canal.

We were especially looking out for Stretford Marine where we expected to find water and elsan - Christine was especially keen on the water so that she could process a load of washing. The people there were most chatty - Christine tried to buy some cleanser for the stove glass but was persuaded not to bother but try tea bags instead. It seems that they do work!

Oh, look! Some blue patches at last. (Except that they did not last)

Shortly after leaving Stretford Marine we turned left at the junction and headed towards Leigh. Almost immediately our noses thought of breakfast as we neared the Kelloggs factory (except that it is a long time since either of us had Corn Flakes to start the day)

Only a little further and we moored at the entrance to Trafford Park, once of the few places along here that is marked for mooring. Alas, most of the edging stones with rings in them seem to have been tipped into the water so one end of the boat needed a pin to be hammered in - the ground did not like it!

Still mid afternoon so Mike returned to his maintenance mode whilst Christine went to explore the shopping centre. Although the afternoon remained dry (just) the sky was persistently grey. Can't have everything.

9.2 Miles - 0 Locks