Glovers Swing Bridge to Fishers Swing Bridge 45

The canal was steaming and mist rising from the fields this morning. Extra layers were needed. Mick did a milk dash into Burscough for both boats before we pushed off. A brief stop for us to dispose of our rubbish at Bridge 35 before we entered the long binless stretch ahead. Bridget had walked on and was ready to press the buttons on the next swing bridge to let us through.

In Parbold the chilled medication dispensary already had it’s menu outside, but sadly it was far too early to stop. Next time.

Bridget and Storm were now on a mission to get Blackbird back to her mooring before the weekend so that they could spend it with their grandkids. Originally we’d planned to accompany them through the locks up to Wigan and then down Poolstock Locks before we parted company. But we are wanting to catch up with Gary from All Seasons Covers to do a couple of alterations for us, so slowing down would be better for us. So Appley Deep Lock would be our last together as we wanted to stop early and let Tilly have an afternoon hunting for friends.

Appley Deep Lock is 12ft deep and as one of the ground paddles is out of operation it takes sometime to fill. A boat appeared behind us, so there was a chance that Blackbird would have a locking partner to do Wigan with, but sadly they were going to stop before Crooke for the day. Once the boats  had reached the top, paddles wound back down and the gates closed, we waved our goodbyes to each other. Blackbird took the lead and set off to cruise until they stopped wanting to make the most of the sunny day that was now burning through the mist.

Of course we’d all forgotten about the next swing bridge! Here we overtook them and wound our way back to the meadow we’d stopped at back at the end of July. Our final farewells were said as we moored up for the day.

It’s been a lovely six weeks with Bridget, Storm and Max. Exploring the Lancaster with them has been a very nice way to spend the summer, good company, similar interests, appetites for chilled medication and beer. We definitely now have an end of holiday feeling that has been creeping up on us for the last couple of weeks. Just one mention on their blog last year when they walked down the Glasson Branch and saw the big locks and we ended up offering to share them. We now head our separate ways, which will cross again. We may even get to see them before Christmas if we end up going up to the Llangollen for the end of the year.

The doors were opened and I was given five hours! A stipulation was to show my face every hour. I did for the first four, but they didn’t seem too bothered so I went off for another four hours to play with my friends.

There were jobs to do, stow things away like the anchor, redistribute mooring equipment that seems to all end up at the bow. The sunny afternoon nearly got me in the mood to give the port side and roof a wash, but this soon disappeared and I ended up just washing all the windows.

A flash of blue darted past us and then doubled back. A kingfisher had come to have a nosy at us, uncharacteristically he sat on a branch in full view for about ten minutes. Enough time to get the camera and some photos! As the evening darkened the meadow below filled with convection fog and the canal started to steam again. The stove was lit and we settled down to watch TV, yes there was an occasional train that passed, but it didn’t spoil our countryside mooring.

1 lock, 5.87 miles, 4 pints milk, 0 medication, 2 swing bridges, 0 held up, 2 Goodbyes, 1 Hello, 6 weeks holiday, 3 again, 8 hours, 7 friends, 2 rather tasty friends, 12 clean windows, 1 tidy cratch, 1 stripped chicken, 5 more inches of bag, 1 nosy bird.

Lock 8 to Glovers Swing Bridge, Leeds Liverpool Canal

Alarm was set early and we were up having a cuppa awaiting the arrival of the Lockies and Roger by 7.10am. Roger arrived first and gradually other heads appeared from inside the waiting boats. Next to arrive was Chris and his mate who just went straight to the lock and started to fill it, did this mean we were on our way? The gates opened and Blackbird joined NB Elan to be the first to go down into the brook.

This next section is very narrow and there is only a certain window when it can be navigated due to the tides. It needs to be deep enough for you to float, therefore move, yet shallow enough to be able to get under a pipe bridge and road bridge. Once through you then wait on a pontoon for the brook to continue to rise enabling you to exit out onto the River Ribble.

We were the third boat down. Oleanna had difficulty at times with the depth, rising up on some sections. We were glad she wasn’t longer or wider as we think we’d have become stuck. Slowly we made it through and joined Blackbird and Elan on the pontoon breasting up with them followed by NB Bosley. The channel was full. The next two boats came down followed by the first widebeam, each successive boat announcing it’s arrival with a wave of water. Only one more to join us, Mr Widebeam. After sometime we could see Chris walking to peer over the bridge to see where the boat was. No sign. Still no sign a while later. The level was rising all the time, would he get through the low bridge? It turned out that he had got stuck and broken down! Hope he managed to get to a pontoon and out of the way for the boats heading up today!

Time for a brew and breakfast whilst we waited for the tide. Discussions were had as to who should go first, some wanted to take the crossing more gradually, so we opted to lead the flotilla out onto the river, followed by Blackbird. At around 9.45am a surge of water met us, soon followed by Chris waving from high up on the bank, we were free to go.

Down the brook to where it meets the Ribble, you could see the flow of the incoming tide ahead of us. Roger suggested that we head out into the flow before we turned, cutting the corner could mean going aground. Soon we were up to 2,100 revs and checking the engine temperature at intervals as we punched the incoming tide at 3mph. Watching the others turn out behind, we’d certainly taken the widest course heading out towards the sea.

The river gradually widened, a yacht came towards us from somewhere out at sea. Despite the atmospheric grey cloud covering the sky it was a calm day.

Up ahead Canadian Geese were flying in to land. There were so many they created a murmuration  around us. Some landing, others taking off, others just swirling around. Wow!!! What an amazing sight and to be right in the middle of it all. One of those moments that photos don’t do justice, but will stay with you for life. Video here. (It is 15MB!)

With the camera on zoom I could see ahead to the Astland Lamp where we were to turn onto the River Douglas, here a boat (Gnat) was turning upstream towards us. The crew as they sped past us waved and beeped their horn a couple of times. Were they being cheery or were they about to turn to port? Cheery it must have been as they showed little intent on turning until they had been past the whole flotilla which had now stretched out behind us.

Another yacht was following us all, gradually working it’s way past. Now we could see a narrowboat coming down the Douglas, who was going to reach the Astland Lamp first, us, the narrowboat or the yacht? We gave two short blasts of our horn so the yacht knew our intensions and turned a while before NB Caramia made it there, the yacht carried on out to sea.

Two more narrowboats passed us heading to the Ribble, it was slack water and we were now making 6.5mph at 1,900 revs positively zooming along. That was until Gnat sped past leaving us to cope with his wash. As we reached the marina with it’s long pontoon Mick called ahead to Tarleton Lock and spoke to Harry. A boat was just coming up and then they would make the lock ready for us and Blackbird.

Sure enough the gates were open and three chaps stood awaiting our arrival. At last we’d made it back to the Main Land, what a great crossing it had been.

At Town End Swing Bridge we said goodbye to Roger who headed off to catch a bus back to Preston. It’s been lovely spending some time with him and nice that he’s been able to do the crossing with us. Here Blackbird leapfrogged us and carried on through all the reeds to Fern’s Swing Bridge where we swapped positions. They wanted to stop for water at the services as we carried on to St Mary’s to top up with diesel and buy a couple of bags of coal. By the time we’d finished they were setting the first of the locks to rise us back up to the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

Bridget and I worked the paddles and walked between the locks. Farmers were bringing in the last of the summers crops and large straw bails were sitting in the fields. We tried to moor the boats between locks 2 and 3, but the depth wasn’t sufficient so we carried on to the top. The last lock being the hardest to operate followed by the very stiff swing bridge, it took both of us almost getting hernias to shift the bloomin’ thing!

A short distance and through the first swing bridge before we could moor. Showers and a change of clothes were needed before we all headed to The Ship for a couple of pints and a very nice meal. This was to be our last evening together and we were glad of a good pub to spend it in, although we were all really rather pooped after a long day and a lot of fresh air.

10 locks, 16.32 miles, 6 swing bridges, 1 only held up, 1 right, 2 lefts, 62 litres diesel at 62p, 2 bags excell, 6 narrowboats 1 widebeam heading south, 3 narrowboats heading north, 1 widebeam stuck, 3 trips each way for Roger, 1 near escape, 8 pints, 1 gammon, 2 pies, 1 mushroom stroganoff, 4 puddings all with chilled medication, 4 full tired boaters, 2 boats back on the Main Land, 9 days late.

Ribble Link Staircase 1 to Lock 8 Winding Hole

A morning to read all our papers in bed followed by a cooked breakfast, well the farm shop bacon needed finishing off, next door Bridget and Storm were also tucking into sausages etc.

As the morning progressed two more narrowboats arrived and the owners of the two boats that have been here for a week returned and made their boats ready again.

At around midday a volunteer lockie arrived and chatted us through what would happen. Steve was on his way, but might be a while and the volunteer was waiting to see if he could start to lock us down the staircase. Word came through that he could so we untied our ropes and hopped on board as the paddles were wound up. At last eight days late we were starting to make our exit from Preston and the Lancaster Canal. Down we went. the number of giant spiders that inhabit the staircase was really quite scary. I was glad we’d not let Tilly out here as she would have tried to catch quite a few of them, but then she wouldn’t have needed much food.

The sun was out and we all had smiles as the boats reversed out into the second chamber and started our decent to the third.

Mick reversed Oleanna out first. The level of water was so much lower, where it had been bubbling last weekend it was now revealing the underlying rocks. As we backed out the stern grounded, levels were very low! It took some fighting but Mick managed to get our bow round and tucked under the bridges. We were now facing the right way, towards the main land.

We were now on our own, each lock had been unlocked and set for us, even the top gates were open awaiting our arrival. Bridget and myself had to reacquaint ourselves with our windlasses. These haven’t been needed for the last five and a bit weeks. As we’d been asked to refill the locks for the next pair of boats Bridget and I decided to walk between them. This meant the boys could drive straight out and not bother about stopping to pick us up and we’d easily catch them up.

The top of our chimney was still on so at the first lock it was removed. The port side gunnel ran along the lock wall, knocking one of the press studs off the cratch cover. Luckily no rips in the canvas, but we took time to tuck the bottom of it up to avoid any more damage. We used to do this with Lillian’s cratch cover after it got ripped badly on the Aylesbury arm.

In the above photo there is something missing. On the very tight bends where there are plenty of over hanging branches Mick’s new baseball cap (bought at Garstang market) was whipped off his head. Luckily it didn’t find it’s way onto Blackbirds prop. It was either the cap or the internet antenna that was going to get got, so he chose well.

After Lock 7 we had a choice of pontoon to moor on.  Space by them is limited so Mick decided to moor up at the furthest one. Blackbird pulled in and breasted up. It took quite a while before the next two boats came into view and we invited one of them to pull up along side. As more boats came down each of the three pontoons filled up.

We will sit here over night. Early in the morning we will be let down Lock 8 when we will be able to get under Blackpool Road A583. Then we will all sit breasted up on the next pontoon and wait for the tide to come in and fill Savick Brook. Once the level is such that we can get through the sea lock we will be on our way heading out on the River Ribble towards the sea and then up the River Douglas towards the main land. The forecast is good, so nothing should stop us now, fingers crossed.

7 locks, 3 in a staircase done backwards, 2.04 miles, 2 lockies, 2 volunteers, 4527 giant spiders, 6 narrowboats, 2 widebeams, –1 £4 baseball cap, 1 grounding, 1 forest added to Oleanna, 38 windlass free days, 3 pontoons, 3 abreast, 1 ginger cake, 12 sausage rolls, 1 roast chicken dinner tonight, 1 woofer with special dispensation.

Bridge 56 to Ribble Link Staircase 1

Blackbird was first to push off this morning. With both boats wanting to fill with water at Bilsborrow we didn’t hurry to get going. Today would be our longest cruise since we left Tarleton on the 9th August.

The sun was out so a load of washing was put on before we reached the water point. As it came into view we could see Blackbird disappearing under the bridge at Owd Nells, a well timed arrival. With the hose connected up Mick walked round to the main street for our Saturday newspaper, sadly our normal one was out of stock so for the third week we’d have to cope with a substitute.

Once we were full and the yellow water tank empty we pushed off, just as NB Compass Rose arrived (we think they may be joining us on the link). The canal was busy, plenty of cruisers out making the most of a sunny weekend. It was now obvious that we would arrive at Moon’s Bridge Marina to coincide with their lunch break again. So after we’d let two more cruisers pull out from the marina we pulled into the service mooring to have our own lunch and wait. However the chap on duty was around and not bothered about his butties so a new gas bottle was purchased and hooked up. Unfortunately they didn’t do coal, but at least if we run out we can put the central heating on, aromas permitting!

With no obvious place in mind to be able to pull over for lunch, we decided to have it on the go as we ticked off the miles back to the top of the link. Passing the pub we’d been to on our first night we spotted another boat due to join us and then in the nuclear zone we passed NB Bosley. How many boats would they lock down tomorrow? Including the lock landing there are three pontoons in the pound before Lock 8, so breasting up you could hold six there, maybe we’ll be three abreast.

As we turned into the basin at the top of the locks it seemed as if we’d never been away. It was just how we’d left it on Tuesday. Blackbird was already moored up in the top chamber, so we winded and joined them again. Whirligig erected and our washing hung out to make the most of the sun and slight breeze. Mick popped out with the hope of finding our Saturday paper and returned with it in hand after his long journey by foot to the Co-op.

Now we wait for lunchtime tomorrow.

0 locks, 1 sat in, 13.78 miles, 1 full water tank, 1 load clean towels, 1 empty yellow tank, 1 new gas bottle, 0 coal, 1 Lancaster, 2 newspapers to get through, 1 right, 1 wind, 1 boring mooring, 1 pair wrist warmers complete, 1 giant bag on it’s way, 1 large portion of Romanesco cheese with added benefits.

Bilsborrow to Garstang to Turner’s Bridge 56

With an extra day before we cross we needed some shopping, more than the shop in Bilsborrow would do for us. So we decided to cruise further north to Garstang where we could do a big shop, the wine cellar was very empty! This also gave us a way of filling the day. Whilst Blackbird pushed over to top up with water we went ahead. As we meandered up the canal the hope was to find somewhere where we could moor for the night and have a barbecue, somewhere nice for Tilly as she is likely to be cooped up for a couple of days.

We tried a couple of places where armco showed itself, but just gently pulling in we soon ran aground. However just short of Bridge 56 there was a straight stretch where our stern would get very close to the side, close enough. We made note and carried on to Garstang.

There was plenty of space on the seven day moorings, but they are quite a distance from the shops. All the spaces before the bridge were full so we pulled in a short distance further on, close enough. With a bike to be our pack horse and plenty of bags we headed straight for Sainsburys. Not a full restock of the cellar, but certainly enough to keep us going. We did buy food too! Once everything was stowed we pootled on to the winding hole by the services, dropped off our recycling and returned the way we’d come.

Would this be our final farewell to Garstang?

Passing Blackbird, making the most of some sunshine with the whirligig out, we told them where we hoped to be moored for them to join us later.

Our last wild mooring and quite a successful one too. We were into the side! Without much of a list! A first for us on the Lancaster. I was straight out, the friendly cover had great potential.

With the evenings getting a bit chillier now we’ve been putting the central heating on for short bursts if we haven’t got round to lighting the stove. However we’ve started to notice an aroma once the radiators have started to get warm. Investigation was needed. Mick removed the three screws from the cover to the yellow water tank pump. This gave us access to the pipes that run up to the pump and gunnel that we use to empty our tank which is situated under the floor. We could also see how close the central heating pipes were to the underfloor tank. A couple of screws were tightened up on the pump, just in case. Then a layer of carry mat insulation was cut and positioned between the pipes and the tank. Some strategic positioning of some blue roll was added before the cover was replaced. When we next empty the tank we’ll have a look to see if the blue roll has caught any leak from the pump.

Later in the afternoon Blackbird joined us having dodged the showers that came and went. A patch of blue sky was approaching so a barbecue was on the cards. The noise from the M6 and trains only distracted us a couple of times as we tucked into our food and supped our wine. A bright rainbow (photos didn’t do it justice) popped up ahead of the boats as the sun was starting to set. A lovely evening which ended up being a little bit chilly to sit out any longer once it was dark. So we retired indoors and got the stove going.

0 locks, 6.54 miles, 1 wind, 4 boxes of wine, 1 chicken, 1 bike fully laden, 3 showers, 3 screws, 1 pong, 4 hours, 6 veg kebabs, 2 burgers, 4 sausages, 2 turkey steaks, 4 corn on the cob, 4 bananas.

Bilsborrow

News came in this morning that we would be taken down the locks of the Ribble link on Sunday. We’d then overnight on a pontoon before being let out of the sea lock on Monday morning to do the crossing. The weather forecast is looking good and here’s hoping it is as sunny as it has been today.

We thought that we’d covered just about everything on the Lancaster Canal and had started to kick our heels waiting to cross to the main land. But we were wrong!

Kath from NB Herbie had suggested that it might be worth our while having a look at the garden centre north of Bilsborrow. So once we’d run the engine for a bit we walked up the towpath the mile and a quarter to the next but one bridge. Over the last month we’ve watched a big steel structure being erected by this bridge and wondered what it will become. Each time we pass there is another section going up spreading across the sight. An article in North West Place says that it is going to be a £6 million leisure extension to Barton Grange. With ten pin bowling, a curling rink, cinema, restaurants along with kayak hire. It will be called The Flower Bowl and add to the already existing garden centre, marina, hotel and restaurants.

Green mesh fencing hides a vast car park, similar in size to that at McArthur Glen Designer Outlet in York. As the sign on the gate suggested we had arrived at the ‘Destination Garden Centre of the Year 2017’.

A brown brick wavy path guided us to an archway made from plant pots. We wondered who out of us was the Lion and Tin Man as we approached, not sure what Max would have thought at being renamed Toto!

Storm stayed outside with Max whilst we had an explore inside the garden centre. A large cook shop was first. All sorts of gadgets were for sale, some useful others just a waste of money. Who wants a reusable ice cream cone? Surely they contain healing benefits as well as the chilled medication that goes in them!  I did find us some reusable ice cubes that we’ve been hunting for for months which were possibly the cheapest thing in the shop.

The style of the murals around the area reminded me of naive panto painting. I wonder how much the artist had been paid for them, maybe I should offer my services for the new extension if we get delayed on the crossing further.

Then followed an area being set up for Christmas, large green boards covered much of it, but from what we could see it will be vast, colourful and very flashy. The outside plant section was huge, I just had a peek through the door before entering the farm shop. Here amongst the highly polished apples, extra long spaghetti, pinker than pink beef, rustic pies and chutneys were a few things that took my fancy. A Romanesco cauliflower, some bacon made it into our basket. The two varieties of Vanilla slices also caught my eye, but I managed to refrain even though one had a portion of fruit included (I’ve only just got my cholesterol levels in check).

With wide aisles, lots of light, plenty of heating and treats we could see that in years to come we’d most probably appreciate this destination more. Today it gave us a destination for a walk. By now our levels of retail therapy had been over filled so we joined Max and Storm back outside to walk back to the boats and let the cat out.

0 locks, 2 push overs, 1 canal walk, 2017 destination, 1 estate of a garden centre, £6 funnel, 21 non melting ice cubes, 1 scooter, 1 cauli, 1 pack bacon, 0 vanilla slices, 5 flavours of chilled medication not special enough, 0 hotpot on the menu, 1 full water tank, 2 more hours, 1 cat crown green bowling.

Billsborrow

They didn’t seem to want to move the outside today, might have had something to do with a touch of rain first thing, so I intended to make the very most of it. As they sat down with their food bowls for morning DingDing the doors were opened up and I trotted off into the sideways trees. ‘Two Hours’ she said, but there was lots to get done, it was going to be a busy day!

First there was pouncing. It’s always worth a few practice pounces before you see any friends, just so that the backbone is warmed up nicely. This helps to achieve the maximum spring tension for launch, a bit of bum waggle for trajectory helps too. Occasionally whilst warming up a friend will show their nose, so it’s always best to be fully aware of one’s surroundings, you can’t miss an opportunity!

Then a couple of holes of golf. It was nice of the people here to give me a colour coordinated flag to help find it. Sadly no matter how far I pushed my arm inside there was nothing at the bottom of interest today.

The big expanses of litter came in handy before I carried on along to climb a few trees.

There are quite a few birdies around here, but most are those black and white ones. They really are noisy and seem to want to follow me where ever I go, no good for finding friends to play with. One tree had a good vantage point where I could watch the men putting a new hard edge in. When they went off for some DingDing I got chance to check their work closer. Quite neat and handy for what they call nappy pins. But their sign lied, none of them had umbrellas like Tom’s.

By now my white bits had got a bit dirty so I headed back home for a bit of a bath before I continued being busy.

A fence to up high couldn’t be ignored and it looked like it led to a higher vantage point over the water. The views were good from up there.

Even though it was noisy on the other side I decided to have a trot along to see what I could see. There was a lot of mess everywhere, Tom said ‘Maybe the judging has finished’. Someone really should give it a bit of a sweep, I’d have gladly lent a paw to help, I like sweeping up.

An open door invited me in to a place with lots of climbing frames. I didn’t want to waste the opportunity and right at the top was a reward, lots of rewards! A young girl shooed me away, so not fare!! I’d gone all that way and didn’t get a reward!

I returned over the water and passed these funny houses which all have stuff a bit like grass on top of them, handy for a pedicure as I passed. The views from up there were good too.

A bit peckish, due to lack of treats I returned home to check that my bowl was still full. No-one else had helped themselves, Never ever ever let humans eat your food! It’s not good for them and a waste as they don’t appreciate it. Another wash and brush up and there was time for another tree climbing session before DingDing time……. but the doors were closed! ‘It’s our turn to go out now’ she said. So there was nothing for it but to have a snooze, quite a long one actually.

If anyone wants me I’ll be in my escape pod.

0 locks, 0 miles, 1 lazy day, 1 load washing, 1 pot of red, 2nd bag made, 1 pair waders sought, 15 trees, 7 friends, 2 holes, 0 umbrellas, 2 bridges, 0 treats, 3 baths, 1 clean pooh box,  8 hours! £2.49 for frozen peas! 1 quiet evening.

Ribble Link to Bilsborrow

The charts looked hopeful this morning although it was a bit breezy at the top of the locks. Visual inspection of the brook confirmed the level had gone down, would we be going?

With plenty of time today before we’d (possibly) be setting off there was no rush to get everything back in the shower. As the heavens opened at 9.30 we heard a van door. All our heads popped out the back like meerkats eager to see what todays verdict would be. Once the rain settled we went to chat with Chris. Sadly with weather warnings of rain and wind later in the afternoon we wouldn’t be doing the crossing today. Over the next few days the tides are too low, so we will have to wait until the weekend at least for them to be high enough once again.

Chris took our numbers and boat names and said he would call us on Thursday to give us an update on conditions for the weekend. Sunday morning would be the next possible tide, so all being well weather wise they would lock us down on Saturday ready to wait for the tide.

Blackbird needed water and we needed to let Tilly have some freedom before the interior of Oleanna got wrecked. A quick decision to cruise back to Bilsborrow was made. Blackbird led the way back northwards. With the locks now empty Chris could let some water down from the canal.

As we turned out of the basin, heading northwards again it was raining but it soon brightened up as we cruised back the ten miles. At Moon’s Bridge Marina we pulled on to their service mooring (a little more spacious this time). Wanting to get a bottle of gas and a bag of coal, however we’d miss timed our arrival to coincide with their lunch break.

So we pushed off and continued. Soon the fake thatched roofs came into sight of Owd Nells. Workers were dismantling the huge marquees out the back, so we decided to pull along a bit further. Here a work boat was busy replacing a section of collapsed armco, but there was space for the two boats.

After an afternoon of pottering about, Exploring OUTSIDE!!! we headed to try out the White Bull which was due to re-open when we first came through. None of us were quite sure why it had been closed for so long as no refurbishment work appeared to have taken place. They did however serve a good pint of Wainwright at a reasonable price, so we stayed for a couple before returning to the boats to light the stove and have our tea as the wind picked up.

0 locks, 1 vacated, 10.14 miles, 1 right, 1 left, 0 gas, 0 coal, 0 sirens, 3 boats also waiting, 2 days before news, 1 grey afternoon, 1 hour pootle knitting, 1 hour ripping, 1 hour crochet, 3 hours climbing chasing pouncing, 1 miffed Magpie, 4 pints, 1st of three apple and blackberry crumbles, yummy.

Ribble Link Staircase 1

No point rushing to get ready this morning, we already knew the verdict before opening our eyes. The rain storms that had come over head in the night meant that not only did we have a disturbed nights sleep but that the brook would be very full this morning.

Mick checked Gauge Map and Windfinder before we even got out of bed. The brook had risen higher than it had on Saturday, confirming our thoughts.

Windfinder (a new find on the internet) was also suggesting gusts in the afternoon of over 35 knots.

A final visual inspection of the brook, we could see it from the stern of Oleanna but we still went down to the foot bridge to look. So we settled down to have breakfast and wait for Steve to arrive.

No need to confirm what we already knew. He thought that the brook might still be quite full tomorrow, but there was a possibility. However, he and Harry had been chatting. The forecast looked quite good for the weekend. If they could get us down the locks on Saturday then on Sunday if the conditions were right then we’d be able to go on the tide in the morning. The tide time was too early for them to get us through the locks on Sunday morning (which is why it isn’t on the schedule), but we could wait on one of the pontoons on the link. If Sunday wasn’t possible then over the next four days we could pass boats heading up to the link. So we would have five extra chances to cross back to the main land.

Mick had a thought of how he could pass the day. If we asked Blackbird to vacate the top lock, we could then empty the chamber below us, then empty the top chamber with Oleanna in it. She would then be sat on the bottom and he’d be able to access the bowthruster to try to clear it. Refilling it would be the risky bit, so luckily he was only joking. Instead we caught the bus down to Preston Docks.

Here there must be the only Morrisons supermarket with it’s own lighthouse. Is this to warn the locals to keep away! Part way along the huge dock there is a chicane of concrete blocks. They seemed to be being used by the local ducks and swans and are possibly to help break up any waves, leaving the marina moorings calmer than they otherwise would be. A few narrowboats nestled in amongst the cruisers and yachts and we tried to spot the visitor moorings that you’d be diverted to if it wasn’t possible to enter the Ribble Link due to low water.

We walked along sheltering from the sudden downpours at a restaurant and the marina chandlers. Not much of interest at the chandlers as it caters more for cruisers, so no new chimney for Blackbird.

Crossing over the large swing bridge which not only carries the road but also a railway line which leads to the Furness Railway Trust. The lock was huge, wider than Cromwell but not as long. A narrowboat would feel really rather diddy in there on it’s own. A boom covers the entrance from the river, this will open  to allow boats in and out. After another expanse of water there are mitred gates both facing the river and away. These stop the tide both coming and going.

The river was lively. The tide was coming in but there was so much fresh coming downstream, bringing a forest of logs with it, that it was hard to tell. (Flow from the river on the left, tide coming in on the right) Thank you Harry for protecting us from this. Far in the distance we could just make out where the link joined the Ribble (just beyond the pylons on the right). It certainly looked like you wouldn’t need much engine power to punch the tide today, but then you’d be seriously fighting your way up the Douglas.

Sadly there were no engines to be seen at the Engine Shed at the end of the Railway, just some old goods rolling stock on the sidings visible through the trees, this must be where most of the NCB wagons came.

When I’d looked at Google maps I’d imagined the docks to be a bit like Brayford Pool in Lincoln, restaurants and bars up to the waterside. But other than the marina there is little here. Flats overlook from the southside and your usual retail outlets from the north. What a missed opportunity.

As we walked the afternoon gusts built up. The dock water became very lumpy and at times it proved difficult to stand upright, glad we weren’t on the stern of Oleanna in it.

A quick stock up on fresh food before we headed back to the boats. If we are here much longer we’ll be needing a bigger shop, but for now this will do, who knows we might get to cross tomorrow! I hope so! CHASC, The Cat Health and Safety Committee, have been far too cautious and don’t deem it safe for me to go out here! NO idea why, there are trees and sideways trees. I know about staircases! Bridget does her best pulling faces at me through the window, she’s nice, but still no where near as tasty as Jaffa!

0 locks, 0 miles, 2 boats nestled together still, 2 much rain, 2 stronger winds, 2 buses, 1 huge expanse of water, 1 mushroom mooring, 0 trains, 2 standard lamps, 2 jackets potatoes, 4 teas, 0 hot water, 2ft waves, 1 bag made, 1 cat crawling up the cabin sides, 3 steps in a staircase deemed as dangerous, 4 steps on the boat!

Ribble Link to Ashton Basin to Ribble Link Staircase 1

Grey skies greeted us this morning, there had been little rain over night and there was next to no breeze. Things from the well deck got stowed in the shower again and we were ready for the off. Roger arrived and walked down to look at the brook. The level had dropped some more and even though there was a flow it looked quite hopeful. So we all gathered and waited for the C&RT chaps to turn up. Everyone chatted away quite happily, pausing whenever a white van came past and looked like it was going to turn onto the track leading to the locks. Eventually at 9.30 the right van showed itself, paused to unlock the barrier and then carried on to meet us.

Steve climbed out of the van and knew what we all wanted to hear. Just a shame that he didn’t say it. Harry had done his checks this morning and called, the forecast for later today was a problem so we wouldn’t be going. He also told us that it was unlikely that conditions would be suitable tomorrow, so we were all to pray for better weather on Tuesday.

No-one had booked the crossing today, but by Tuesday there would be a total of two widebeams and eight narrowboats, so there would be six full locks. A busy day on the link. If weather conditions are still bad then we will have another ten days to wait before the tides are right for us to go. Quite an extension to our visit.

Mr Widebeam has lost his tow, so unless he can get his engine working better or find another tow then he won’t be crossing. So he swapped places with Blackbird who backed into the lock. After we’d had what is starting to feel like our usual morning cuppa with Roger we said goodbye to him, then we pushed off to head to the services further down the cut towards Preston.

No other traffic on the canal today and we soon arrived at the smart service block to fill with water, empty our yellow water tank and dispose of rubbish. I’d prepared some cruising sausage rolls with the idea to have them hot as we did the crossing, they needed cooking so became non-cruising sausage rolls. To make the most of filling with water I had a shower, but the incredibly poor water pressure meant that filling the tank took a very long time! We carried on to the next winding hole which is just after Ashton Basin with the end of the canal in sight. With no urge to go right to the end Mick started to swing Oleanna round. Almost straight away she reared upwards in the water riding over a submerged something. She came back off again and we managed to get all the way round without any other problems.

Back at the holding basin we winded and reversed into the lock next to Blackbird. This would free up space for other boats that might arrive and mean that we can lock down as soon as Harry says we can. Of course should we not be able to cross on Tuesday then we’ll vacate the lock.

Plans on exploring  Preston docks were rejected in the end due to it being very wet every now and again. We have pottered for the afternoon, I’ve mastered the magic loop technique and ripped up a lot of fabric to make bags with. For much of the afternoon the conditions here didn’t seem too bad, would we have made the crossing safely? But Harry had spoken and he knows his stuff, by 4.15 the wind and rain had joined forces and became horizontal. Glad we weren’t out in that!

1 lock moored in, 42 seconds to lock 2 of the staircase, 3 miles, 3 winds, 1 right, 1 left, 1 aborted crossing, 2nd morning tea with Roger,1 full water tank, 1 empty yellow tank, 1 large lump, 2 wet for docks, 1 border than bored cat, 2 prototypes complete, 3 colours ripped up, 20 fingers crossed, 20 toes crossed, 4 paws crossed 4 Tuesday.