The day began rather grey although most of it was a strange mixture of bright sunshine and short, but heavy, rain showers.
We set off early as we needed to be sure of mooring tonight as close to Wigan Top Lock as possible. At present the flight is only open for entry at the top between 8.30 and 10. Outside these times it is locked.
We had about an hour's run through the outskirts of Blackburn before the top of the Blackburn flight of locks. Along the way there are two very large former mill buildings. The first is the Imperial Mill, now in a very poor condition. It was opened in 1901 as a spinning mill with the latest ring technology. It was intended to undercut competitors further away from Manchester with lower manufacturing and transport costs. It was initially very successful but, along with the rest of the Lancashire cotton industry, suffered once cheap imports came into the country from India. For several decades no-one has managed to create an effective business plan for its conversion. This is not helped by the location which is surrounded by industrial areas and is some distance from the city centre or any other up market housing, so it does not look a great bet fror apartments. Meanwhile it has been Listed to prevent its demolition.
The other is Daisyfield Mill, a corn and flour mill opened in 1871 and ceased production in 1968. It was later redeveloped as offices and was occupied for some time by Granada Television who had studios here. More recently a large part has been occupied by the NHS with various small businesses using other parts. A plan was put forward last year to convert much of it to apartments. We have also seen a website that claim it was a secret torpedo factory in the last war!
Eanams Wharf was converted to offices some while ago, together with a Caribbean style restaurant. It is currently occupied by several small businesses.
This housing development looked a little stark with tall, thin, properties, all for rent.
By the time we arrived at Blackburn Locks, sunny spells took over from the overcast sky. We paused briefly to use the disposal facilities towards the bottom of the flight.
The edges of these locks provided opportunities to catch the edge of the boat as the water emptied. We kept a close eye but in one lock and extra, hidden, 'bump' in the wall did catch us for a few seconds whilst the boat scraped its way off.
After the flight we started to edge our way out of town - this is a view of the Blackburn Rovers stadium.
We wondered what this very large development was for - it did not quite seem to be either apartments or offices. Later we discovered that it is a residential care project by Verum Victum in conjunction wit the local authority. It will provide 71 apartments for Intermediate Care and 78 for Extra Care. It is due to open later this year.
An unusually formal market for the boundary between Blackburn with Darwen and Chorley.
This building is now a bat sanctuary and originally party of a water treatment works below - according to a helpful walker on the towpath. We have not yet been able to find out any details.
Some really warm sunny spells.
We passed through the small village of Withnell Fold where housing was built for the workers at the paper mill, which produced various types of paper, generally to a high quality. It later merged with Wiggins Teape. It opened in 1844 and closed in 1967 when it became too old fashioned and failed to invest in modern competitive equipment.
We had lunch on the go as we were approaching the Johnson's Hillock Locks. The weather turned very quickly from bright sunshine at the top . . .
. . . to this at the next!
We made excellent progress and completed the seven locks in 70 minutes. At the bottom, the start of the former Walton Branch can be seen under this bridge. The aim was to connect to the Lancaster Canal at Preston but the decision to use a cheap tramway across the Ribble Valley led to its failure as a commercial operation.
Botany Bay - now a retail outlet for bargain purchases.#
A really bijou way of cruising the system!
This could be yours for just £15000.
A very heavy shower arrived without warning - ouch!
But before long we could see distance hills in sunshine.
We passed alongside Haigh Country Park and golf course, with a glimpse of the original Haigh Hall (now a hotel) in the trees. This low bridge carrying the towpath over the entrance to a small basin puzzled us. It was probably built for the estate but around 1901 it became the base for Wigan Rowing Club (founded 1872) who built a splendid boat house alongside the basin. It seems likely that the club folded in the 1960's.
We moored just short of the Top Lock so that we could get a better tv signal! Andrew walked to the flight and reported that we had made a good choice as the short visitor mooring was already full -with just two boats!
21.8 Miles - 13 Locks
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