Take Five: Preston

After dinner last night, Mike went for a walk - it turned out that it was the same route that Christine did earlier on!

Today was about the best weather for boating: sunny and fairly hot but a gentle breeze and fluffy clouds meant that it never became unbearably hot.

We had few ambitions for the day other than to arrive at the start of the Ribble Link to moor overnight and to fill up our fuel tank!

Hollowford Aqueduct

At Hollowford Aqueduct Mike hopped off to take a look at the structure from below. When cruising along the canal there is almost no sign of it.

After passing marinas with no facilities, certainly no diesel, we eventually found what we wanted at Moons Bridge Marina. They claim to be the only canal-side supplier of boat diesel at the present time. we also replaced the gas bottle that became empty earlier in the week.

Woolplumpton Aqueduct

Mike also attempted to take a look at Woodplumpton Aqueduct - a single arch aqueduct - but there was no path down from the top so he had to content himself with peering over the parapet.

Boaters Beware!

Approaching Salwick we took a closer look at a sign that had intrigued us on the way up, but which we had not been able to read. You can see why! Not sure hoe we are expected to follow this plan in the event of hearing a siren! Perhaps we will have to run back along the towpath to find out what we have to do . . .

Westinghouse Nuclear Fuels Plant

This time we did some investigation and discovered that this is an important nuclear fuel processing plant that supplies most of the UK nuclear energy generating stations.

After a good lunch break we continued and soon passed the junction for the Ribble Link.

Ribble Link Junction

However, just to 'tick off' another canal branch from the list we have navigated, we continued down the original line towards Preston. Although passing through residential areas built in the times when they turned their backs to the canal, it was largely a pleasant stretch. We called at the sanitary station for the usual round of filling and unfilling.

Savick House 1838

Tulketh Mill

The former Tulketh Mill gave rise to the rows of terraced houses in this part of Preston. In its day, it was one of the largest cotton mills in Lancashire. Today it is the headquarters of Carphone Warehouse and Talk Talk.

Preston Terminus

Sadly, the last part of the canal was built over in the 1960's and now comes to an unceremonious end just after the small Ashton Marina Basin.

Ashton Basin

After winding in the basin entrance, Andrew left us to walk into thee town centre and to see the huge dock which we visited - unplanned -on the way up. this left the two of us to return to the top of the Ribble Link. We stopped part way to visit a Tesco near to one of the bridges. However, the bank was especially shallow and we made several attempts to land, eventually doing so with the help of two young girls - Charlotte and Thea - who also offered to take us to the shops (they live in the nearby streets) The gangplank was definitely needed and it took all four of us to manhandle it into place!

Trainee Crew and Supermarket Guides

After we returned to the boat, the two girls were patiently keeping guard over the boat so Christine offered them the chance of a ride for the next couple of bridges. They were delighted with the opportunity as well as taking the tiller for a while! Very well behaved and pleasant young people.