Ducie Street

A day in three parts: the morning began with bright sunshine and, since we knew that heavy and sustained rain was heading our way, we set off early so that we could do as much as possible in the dry. However, this was the Bridgewater so it was lock-free all the way.

The second part was the rain! We still had half of the Bridgewater to go when the rain arrived late morning and, after a slow start, it gradually picked up speed until a sustained drizzle remained all the rest of the day.

After passing the junction with the section of the Bridgewater that heads off towards the Barton Swing Aqueduct, we passed close to the huge Euuroterminal freight rail terminal and then the equally enormous Manchester United ground.

Towards Manchester the Bridgewater comes close to the Manchester Ship Canal and at Pomana, just after passing under the light transit railway, we passed Pomona lock which gives access down to the Ship Canal.

Eventually we arrived in Manchester, calling at the Sani Station and Water Point just before the entrance to Castlefield and underneath all the huge railway viaducts soaring overhead.

Just after 2:30 we entered the Rochdale Nine - the third part of the day and even wetter than the second part. Although these are not the best of locks they have been improved since we were here last (all of us in 2007 and Andrew again in 2009).

As a result of a safety barrier erected along the previously unprotected side of the canal, the middle lock is not only accessible from the canal.

Just five minutes over two hours we arrived at Ducie Street and moored, ready for the morning start when BW staff should be meeting us to escort us up the first part of the flight out of Manchester.

We had heard earlier in the day that the Ashton canal was closed 'due to asset failure' at lock 3 so Mike and Andrew to take a look - seems likely to be two paddles. At the same time they explored the New Islington development, seeing how much of new canal waterside is under construction.

23.6 Miles - 9 Locks