After yesterday's blog was published, Christine went for a walk into the nature reserve and took some pictures of the flora and fauna
The day began dry but with a fresh wind that kept the temperature down. During the morning dampness in the air arrived and in the afternoon there were some quite heavy showers.
Two years ago we had noticed that a new road was being constructed along the r oute of a former railway line, although the canal bridge has been started, everything still seems some way from completion.
At least an hour before we set off, the boat which had also moored at Scotman's Flash overnight set off ahead of us. Alas, we caught him, a single hander, at the first lock, where he was having difficulty as he didn't know about the need to have a handcuff key to open most of the locks!
After we had come through the lower of the Poolstock Two, Christine walked to nearby shop which unfortunately had limited stock of newspapers (especially not ours). Meanwhile, Mike moved the boat slowly to the upper Poolstock where the boat ahead was still trying to full the lock.
There was then a boat waiting to come down - the raised eyebrows of the crew were enough to tell us of their experience. Turns out that the single hander is on a mission to collect litter. A worthy ides but he managed to spot things to collect at the most inappropriate times - and nearly rammed a top gate whilst concentrating on picking something out of a lock!
We turned left at the junction - by now we would have been too late for the morning slot to go up the main Wigan flight - a lot of vandalism, especially opening paddles, means that at the present the flight is locked most of the time with just two slots a day each way.
We were grateful to find that the elsan disposal point above the next lock was still there as we had three cassettes to empty. It has been a long time since the last opportunity and we were beginning to stretch our resources!
There are just two of the Wigan locks below the junction, the last one near to the impressive Trencherfield Mill, no longer used for its original purpose but very well restored to new uses. The lock number carved into the wash wall below the lock must have been someone's pride and joy!
The dry dock beside this lock is also still very much in use with a boat having some TLC.
The sharp left turn at The Orwell offers a sadder sight - this former warehouse which has long been a night club, pub or something similar, seems in poor state at the moment. It never seems to have occupiers that last the course!
Wigan Pier is an obligatory photo opportunity but by now the rain had gathered strength so our pictures from here are little gloomy.
Looking back we could see another former warehouse as well as Trencherfield in the distance.
We moored above the next lock so that Mike could walk to a nearby Asda supermarket for a paper and a few other items. About half way he could almost touch the end of the store but, alas, there is a river in between so, with the estate only designed for cars, it was still quite a bit of the walk to go before Mike could gain entrance. It is an especially huge store so collecting just five items itself took some distance.
After a lunch break we continued and then below the next lock are the remains of a former canal basin. The other side, beyond a railway line, was once a large factory but two years ago there was nothing left to obscure the view. A new housing estate is well advanced.
Whilst we had lunch, two party boats from Wigan passed us. Later, in the rain, this one had turned around and was on its way back. There was a large group of mainly children on board who waved at us enthusiastically.
Crook Lock was part of the original canal but subsidence led to the building of the first lock below Wigan and the abandonment of Crook.
There seem to be growing numbers of 'fat' boats, here as elsewhere. We encountered this one as we passed moored boats alongside Crooke Marina - its steerer seemed to use the bow thrusters just for 'normal' steering. Must have a good battery as most people report that too frequent use of thrusters doe not do the dedicated battery much good! Faced head on, this was not just a 'fat' boat but something much wider.
The second party boat had an adult group who were totally absorbed in partying and visiting the bar so the only wave we had was from the steerer!
Our last lock today, Dean Lock, was originally the end of the canal. Below here, boats joined the nearby river via another lock for the rest of the journey. Today, it and the former lock keeper's house, are overshadowed by the high level M6 viaduct.
A couple of swing bridges are marked on maps as 'normally left open' but neither seemed to have any potential for being closed anyway! This one, Ranicar's, gave us some trouble in 2013. The farmer had managed to shut the bridge and Mike had considerable difficulty as it refused to open. Fortunately the farmer returned and gave mechanical assistance. We only realised later that he should not have left it closed! This time we wondered if that might have been the last time it was used.
Only a little further and we were at Appley Bridge, our planned overnight stop so that we can walk up the hill in the morning for the local church. But first we had to pass through a working swing bridge. The landing stage to the right of this photo was badly damaged two years ago and, as a result, we badly damaged the side window doors - a saga for the following fortnight, see the 2017 blog! We took no chances this time and Christine dropped Mike off on the towpath side. This bridge is one of the easiest manual bridges we have come across.
Just a little further and we moored for the night. The evening was much brighter - now that we have finished cruising for the day!
6.4 Miles - 7 Locks
No comments:
Post a Comment