This morning we went to St Mary's Parish Church in the centre of Leigh.
Although there was a tendency to the more formal style of liturgy than we are used to these days the vicar, a Franciscan, had an easy style and was able to include children in his talk. Overall he kept things straightforward and uncomplicated. there were about 50 people - plus two dogs!
At the end of the service the was a short ceremony to crown the Rose Queen for next week's carnival. Afterwards, proud families were keen to take photos!
The only downside was that no-one talked to us and we came and went almost as if we were not there. It did seem to suggest that 'church' is primarily for its members.
We popped into Asda, next door to the church, to get some rolls for tomorrow's homeward journey. As we waked back to the boat we noticed one or two of the buildings along Market Street. Generally all of the buildings, which date back to the turn of the 19th - 20th century are typically solid, almost austere, but definitely built to last. The one above is engraved Turnpike House and dated 1900.
Most of the buildings now have small retail outlets on the ground floor, looking very much at odds with the architecture above. This one appears probably to have been a bank until closure in recent times - it still awaits a new purpose.
We also eventually decided what we would do for the rest of the day. As the water level in our tank was quite low and Christine wanted to process at least one load of washing, we opted to move up to Plank Lane where there is a water point. With luck we could find a mooring that would leave us ready for the marina when the manager arrives to allocate our space. We also had hoped that there might have been an elsan point but although there is a pumpout, but no elsan - there once was.
The plan was for Christine to steer the boat whilst Mike took the car to park it alongside the moorings. After untying the ropes and pushing away from the bank, Mike set off towards the car. He had gone but a few metres when there was a shout - the engine had stalled. We immediately established that was again something around the prop. It seems that another part of the same item that attacked us yesterday had now floated under the boat - only it was at least twice the quantity. This time there was no possibility of keeping on board until we meet a rubbish point (which will not be on this trip as the marina does no have one) so we, alas, had to leave it with some other rubbish that had been pulled out of the water. Our pile was at least a metre across.
We were now able to start Plan A properly. The traffic was so busy, especially at a complicated roundabout alongside the main retail park, that by the time Mike had arrived (it is only just over a mile along the canal!) Christine was already looking for the water point.
Having assessed the elsan options - the one we last used was 20 minute drive in one direction the two in Wigan a little longer - we opted for Plan B which is to leave the full cassettes on board until next trip when we can empty them in Wigan.
We have discovered that the marina is the southernmost corner of what was once the mighty Bickershaw Colliery. After some prodigious output (becoming a super-pit in 1978)that principally fed the Fiddlers Ferry power station, it was deemed unprofitable in 1992. Almost nothing can be seen now as the area is rapidly being given over to modern housing estates. The overgrown winding hole is what once was the loading point for barges delivering coal.
Plan B was thus to find a pleasant overnight mooring with the potential for satellite tv. This meant turning around (at the marina entrance this was easy) but we had to go back to where we started the day to turn to come back!
The canal is crossed by several footbridges which allow local residents in Leigh to cross over and enjoy the country park around Pennington Flash - itself the product of mining subsidence in the 20 century.
In the end we found where we were hoping for and settled down for the night - the satellite dish was set up but already somewhat windy - this had made mooring a little harder than usual. Alas, a little before dinner time we heard the dish blown over and even with attempts to fasten with rope it was moving about so much in the wind that we cold not lock on to signal.
We will have to make a prompt start tomorrow as we have to move up to the marina and load the car in time for the scheduled arrival of the manager.
4.1 Miles - 0 Locks
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