Leigh

Another grey and often damp day. For the most part it was not unduly cold but there was little in the way of sunshine. Mid-morning there were two brief appearances of blue patches but they soon learnt the error of their ways and went back behind the clouds.

We were later setting off today, partly because Christine had reset the weather station clock to Manchester time thus confusing Mike (and perhaps herself) The reason: for some time now we have set it to what we believed to be Birmingham but that resulted in the clock moving forward an hour overnight. So when we woke to see 8:00 it was really 7:00 (if you catch the drift). So when we saw 8:11 this morning it really was 8:11!

After the usual minor housekeeping to the computer and engine, Mike walked to the nearby shops to collect a paper. We then set off just before 9:30. But the rowers were out before us!

Barfoot Aqueduct over River Mersey

After a short distance beyond the motorway we crossed the River Mersey, at this point quite a modest affair.

A tall sculpture greeted our arrival at Edge Lane Bridge - but, apart from a boat at the top, we could not make out what it was meant to represent!

Trafford Centre

 At Waters Meeting we left the route into central Manchester and turned onto the Leigh Branch which first passes the Kelloggs factory and then close to the large Trafford Shopping Centre.

We were rather impressed by the improvements to the towpath which makes it much more accessible and better looking. Some of this work was in progress when we came this way, in the opposite direction, last year.

Approach to Barton Swing Aqueduct

Next came the Barton Swing Aqueduct. Approaching, it looks quite innocuous but once in the middle, exposed enough for those with a tendency to vertigo!

A ship was berthed a little upstream so the bridges must swing some times!

Approaching Worsley we could see a crane in the distance and, until we came close, it was not obvious what it was doing. In fact it was working on more new houses. Noticed that the developer built the ones further away from the canal first, sold them and is now putting up those in front on the canal edge!

A group were waiting for the trip boat for a day out. Not too sure about the suitability of the dress code for the crew! Heeled shoes with thin straps are not normally recommended for hauling on a narrowboat . . .

The canal then makes a sharp left turn with the original purpose of the Bridgewater - the Dukes's mines - off to the right.

Although our fuel tank was more than half full, we stopped at Bridgewater Marina to fill up as we are not certain of how many places there are along the branch from Wigan into Liverpool. The staff were very pleasant and helpful.

Astley Pit Museum

We stopped at Astley for lunch - Mike took a short walk to have a closer look at the Pit Museum. Unfortunately it is not open on Wednesdays.

Approaching Leigh we saw these unusual dormer windows. Not sure how well they work visually as the flashing is rather obvious. Just after this we had a further stop for water and sani station.

We have probably commented before, but it is sad to see several imposing abandoned mills still looking for a future.

Leigh Market

We stopped at Leigh Bridge so that we could pop to the indoor market which we remembered from last year. We were a little late in the afternoon and some stalls were closing, but we still managed to pick up a number of items!

After passing under the East Lancs Road Bridge, Mike recalled when we came this way in the late Sixties in our tiny boat called Fiona. In those days it was possible to listen in (probably illegally!) to the emergency services that used VHF frequencies within the range of FM radios. What he recalls is that, as we moored over night - no TV in those days - he tried but could only hear one side of a conversation and then only intermittently - so it was not really successful eavesdropping!


Plank Lane Lift Bridge


We arrived at Plank lane Lift Bridge just before 5 o'clock. Alas, as it is a busy commuter road, it is closed to boats until 18:00 so we had quite a wait. at least it gave time to do some preparation for tonight's meal. Still, when we eventually were able to open up, we produced a satisfyingly long queue of vehicles! (Sad, or what?)

Whilst we waited we could see a tern(?) repeatedly swooping down to the water beside our boat. (No doubt someone more expert in bird spotting will comment if we have the wrong type!)

By now it was raining quite heavily and so we opted to stop somewhat short of our planned target for today which had been Scotman's Flash. However, we did pull in alongside another of the many reminders of the mining heritage of this area. As we waited for our dinner to cook, the sun made a limited appearance, just as Christine announced that the forecast for tomorrow is heavy rain!

Today, Christine spotted elderflowers for the first time this season, some water lilies as well as the family of small ducklings that we disturbed when we moored for water!

16.7 miles - 0 locks