Tarleton

Rufford Arm

Another bright and sunny day was forecast - although when we awoke it was somewhat overcast. This soon cleared.

This photo make it look as if the boat was moored amongst surrounding plants but, when seen from Spark Bridge, it is possible to see the convenient mooring which was our home for about a week last month.

We set off at 10 - we believed that the boats leaving Tarleton today would be away by 11 so that we should find space on the visitor mooring which doubles up as the waiting area for the Ribble Crossing.

We soon reached Fearns swing bridge which, like the others at this end of the Rufford Arm, is remarkably easy to operate.

Sollom Lock was originally the point at which the canal entered the River Douglas but is only now recognisable as a narrowing in the canal.

After passing under the bridge below the former lock the navigation feels much more like a river, but without the flow. It is somewhat wider and deeper. Even so, compared with a month ago when we came down here, progress is a little slowed by the amount of growth floating on the surface, mainly water lilies. There are more bends as well.

Last time, we turned around just above the final swing bridge. As we approached it this time we could see that the waiting boats were only just making a start on the short run down to the lock. However, this meant that we had a free ride through the bridge and a choice of mooring spots.

After we had tied up, Mike walked swiftly down to the lock to watch the boats going out onto to the river. We have only done this once before in 2013 and it was useful to be reminded of how to tackle the exit. Boats are sent out as the tide is still flooding and it was running quite swiftly so that plenty of power and a counter-intuitive direction are needed to keep as close to the centre of the channel as possible. Even so, some eased up as soon as they left the lock and quickly found themselves going towards the far bank! Also, the speed of the tide meant that the boats very quickly came to what looked almost like a standstill. Around the next bend it will become a little easier and boats can pick up a better speed. This is quite common on locks between a river and a canal.

The large gates at the bottom of the lock - more visible here as they are being closed up after all the boats had left - are flood gates and can protect the canal in the event that the river rises to a higher level.

Christine noticed that there was quite a substantial factory to been seen from our mooring through the side window. She discovered that it is a dry pet food manufacturer with quite an interesting history that can be seen here. GA Pet Food make their products for a number of 'partners' who market under a variety of their own brands. It is surprising to read just how the business has evolved from its almost accidental beginning in 1992. Packaging and distribution has now moved to Chorley to allow expanded production here and, overall, they now employ over 800 people.

After lunch the lock keeper called to confirm a start time for tomorrow morning - 11:45, quite a bit later than we expected. There are two others booked in but so far have not been seen. the other boats that came down are turning around here. Time for the others to arrive.

After lunch we walked up into Tarleton to look at the shops. We did not need much (if anything, really!) but wanted to check out what was available should we need it on the way back.

2.8 Miles - 0 Locks