Blackburn and Rain

An exceedingly wet day - the only respite was from seriously wet rain to not quite seriously wet rain! The worst of the rain came shortly after setting off - although our start was delayed because we quickly realised that we had something caught around the prop. It turned out to be not only weed but also a couple of pieces of rope and some plastic. Fortunately we tackled it before it all became too tightly entwined.

The heaviest rain even forced us to take shelter under a couple of bridges when it became too much even for Mike to carry on!

The first part of the day through Rishton to the outskirts of Blackburn ought to have given us some more Pennine scenery but most of it was shrouded in clouds and rain.

M65 Aqueduct

We crossed over the M65 Aqueduct, bidding it farewell for now - there was surprisingly little traffic.

There was so much traffic coming off the hills that it was finding its own escape - in places pouring even more water into the canal.

We needed to pick up some more milk and bread for packed lunches tomorrow - Mike and the girls are catching a train in the morning (or, more precisely, three trains and another three for Mike to return to the boat) Looking at the maps last night suggested that there was an Asda near one of the bridges as we approached Blackburn but we could not see it and a local lady, carrying Tesco bags suggested the next bridge. This tuned out to be just a filling station shop so only milk came back!

Imperial Ring Mill

The Imperial spinning mill was opened in 1900 and worked for the next 80 years. It was built to use the new, cheaper, ring mill although the town had previously concentrated more on weaving. The mill was built alongside the canal but by the time it opened, rail had become a more important form of transport for the cotton industry.

Blackburn Wharf

The huge loading canopies of Blackburn Wharf have been retained in the re-developed building - at one end there is currently a Caribbean Restaurant - not the best of days for it today!

Blackburn Cathedral

As we came through the central part of the town - again at roof top height - we could see the bus and train stations and the cathedral below us.

Blackburn Top Lock

Just before the top of the Blackburn lock flight we moored close to an Asda superstore. Whilst Christine walked down for bread, rolls and a newspaper, the others took refuge from the rain. On her return we decided that it was time for lunch - especially with the locks immediately ahead.

Not been feeling too well?

We came down the first three locks quite easily but at the fourth we could not empty the lock - it remained stubbornly about 250mm with a substantial flow coming in from the top ground paddles. We had checked that they were closed and Mike enlisted passers-by (keen only to stop very briefly as they were on their way to a Blackburn match against Leicester!) and even tried to rig up a rope winch to give greater purchase, but nothing worked. He then tried to see if there was something stuck under a paddle which would clear if opened a little. First one - no difference. Going across to the other side, a couple of turns to lift the paddle and the flow stopped entirely! As the mechanism was missing its stop marker it is perhaps likely that the last user had wound the paddle down so hard that it was letting water flow over the top (not under the bottom). Anyway, somewhat frazzled, we were on our way, only to stop at sani station below the lock.

 

So much water was coming down the flight that it was flowing over the sides of the locks as well as the gates. Made them look like infinity pools!

When the bridges below a couple of the locks were widened, they left insufficient room for the bottom gate balance beams. These have been replaced by circular rack and pinion mechanisms - in one case the bridge is so close there is no room to go around to wind the gate paddle that a step over the beam has to be added!

Mill Hill

We passed through the Mill Hill suburb of Blackburn with its older terraced streets before arriving at our planned destination of Cherry Tree, where there is more modern housing. Before retreating finally from the rain, Mike, Alice and Jess walked to the nearby rail station to check where we have to go in the morning. Along the way, Alice experimented with close up pictures of flowers. On the way back we spotted a very late and recent brood of ducklings.

Alice's Blog

Flower Closeup

Raindrops

I drew pictures of the rain. I played with Jessica and on the ipad. We moored and we went to find the station and took photos. For dinner we are having pizza. 

Mother with her ducklings

7.6 miles - 6 locks