Another long cruise today, with 3 locks at the end of the day bringing us into Wigan. Here are just a few glimpses of our journey starting with the Barton Swing Aqueduct soon after we pulled pins at the Trafford Centre.
This sign made us smile, as when we came past last year, the engineers were here mending the workings as thieves had visited the night before!
So that’s who removed all the valuable materials!
On past Worsley and the Packet House, where a steam packet boat would take trippers into Manchester from the steps outside the building.
Worsley is where the canal era began as the Duke of Bridgewater’s coal mines were here and he built the canal to take his coal into Manchester. It is an interesting place to wander round, but we didn’t stop today.
Passing Astley Green Colliery, with the headgear standing above the trees. No stopping here either, the site is open to the public just a few days a week, not today though.
We did stop at Leigh though where we had lunch before going into town for a few supplies. Here the canal changes from the Bridgewater to the Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. So we’re back on C&RT waters. At Plank Lane lift bridge, we scored highly, with long lines of cars held up in both directions. And passing many large water wildlife reserves we came to Wigan, and went up 2 locks and down 1, mooring up outside the Wigan C&RT offices.
Trafford Centre – Wigan, 16 miles, 3 locks, 1 bridge
But you left a paddle slightly open which meant next morning we were faced with an EMPTY pound and a 2 hour wait whilst C&RT filled it enough for passage!! However you did open Plank Lane bridge and wave us through!
ReplyDeletenb Cutty Sark II