Return to moorings

Since our last posting we came down Johnsons Locks  in record time in just over an hour and moored up just before bridge 74 which is handy for  'Fredericks Ice-cream parlour'.  Had a yummy ice cream there  (it is also a café serving meals and drinks).  On the Friday morning we cruised on to Adlington where we met up with Martin and Andrea.  Did a circular walk in the afternoon and had a curry onboard for our final night.. On the Saturday Martin and Andrea kindly brought us home which was much appreciated.



Nugget ready for her next adventure on Coventina

So... the end of another adventure !!... not as originally planned on the Lancaster Canal, however we have had a pleasant along the  wonderful Leeds and Liverpool Canal.  We have met up with friends and family and met some new interesting people/dogs and boats on the way....  and in 2016, we will attempt the Lancaster Canal once again!!

Visitors onboard!

Lauren came to join us for a few days, meeting up at Riley Green.
 

Darwen 'Jubilee Tower'

We went to the Boatyard Inn which is next to the canal and visitor moorings for our evening meal.  Although it was convenient to our moorings, we were a little disappointed as it was quite expensive and only basic pub food.



On the Sunday, John joined us and we all went in the car to Darwen where we went on a walk up to the Darwen 'Jubilee' Tower.  The tower was completed in 1898 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and to mark a local victory for the right to access the moors. 

We climbed the tower and the views were amazing.. apparently on a clear day, you can see as far as Morecombe Bay, the Lakes, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Nugget enjoying the views from Darwen Tower

In the evening, we went to a pub in this area for a meal, The Royal Arms at Tockleworth; good food and good value.

On Monday, 31 August, we moved on a short stretch to Withnell Fold where we had arranged to meet up with Ian and Helen on narrowboat 'Leo'.  It was great to meet up again having first met on the Wigan flight in 2012 when Chris had fond memories of the delicious flapjack that appeared half way down the flight reviving our flagging spirits!  Imagine our delight when Helen offered us some more yummy flapjack  on-board Leo, complete with recipe.  We enjoyed a shared lunch, after which, Leo set off to Blackburn and we cruised a short distance to the top of Johnsons Locks.

On Tuesday, had a short trip to 'Botany Bay' for a look around.  It is a five storey converted 19th century cotton mill full of shops/cafes etc.  There is an old penny arcade (including a laughing policeman).  You have the opportunity to buy some old pennies and see them working.


'Team Coventina' 

In the evening, Chris, Lauren and I went to the 'Dressers Arms' for an evening meal.  What a great pub, lots of atmosphere and a fantastic deal from Monday to Saturday of two steak meals and a bottle of wine for £14.95p, exceptional value.

We entered the pub quiz as 'Team Coventina'  which has apparently been running for the last 20 years.  We put in a good performance, but not good enough!!

Wednesday - Lauren left for home after  a lovely few days together. We are remaining at the top of Johnsons Locks for a further night.
          

Burnley and Blackburn

Since the last post we have stayed at the C&RT moorings at Rose Grove.  This is a secure mooring as the access gates are locked on an evening and they have all the facilities here which are very good and clean.

Shuttleworth Hall

  We didn't fancy mooring on the embankment at Burnley (as didn't know if it would be safe or not)  to have a look round the shops, so caught a train from Rose Grove into Burnley (£2 return) .  Carol came to visit us which was lovely to have a brew and a good chat. 


We moored just before pipe bridge 115a on the outskirts of Clayton Le Moors on Wednesday and went on a long circular walk passing Shuttleworth Hall, a 17th century manor house, now a farm and timber yard.


 On Thursday, we went on further to Rishton and moored up at the visitor moorings.  Next to the moorings is the Canalside café,  with basic cheap food (70p for a cuppa) and a nice jolly owner.


Eanam Wharf

 In the evening after stocking up at the Co-op which is at the top of the high street, we went out for an indian meal at the 'Rishton Balti House'.  Very nice food/service and you can take your own drink.  

Friday - moved on to Blackburn where we moored up at Eanam Wharf.




We went to the Calypso Jamaican restaurant for a snack at lunch time.  Helen had traditional Jamaican Salt fish fritters and Chris, jerk chicken.  Both dishes were very tasty and well presented and very good value.         


Jamaican Salt fish Fritters

Barrowford and Birthday celebrations

Friday 21 August - We came down Barrowford Locks with a lovely family on a hire boat. The female lock keeper was brilliant, setting up the locks to help us down.  She certainly keeps this set of locks tidy and has planted flowers in tubs etc at the top lock which look nice..


Views near Roughlee

 We were down all seven locks in an hour.... amazing!!  Moored at the bottom of the locks

The old St Thomas' Church

 and then went on a walk to the village of Roughlee which lies in the forest of Pendle.  It is a quaint village with a pub 'The Bay Horse';  is close to Pendle Hill and has links to the Pendle witches!!!

On the way back we passed the old and new St Thomas' Church in Barrowford.   The old quaint church was burned down in 1964 and a modern replacement church was built further up the hill in 1970..

Yummy pork pie!

Saturday - Happy Birthday Chris!!! The weather forecast was terrible, so we had planned a day in, however it turned out lovely, so we ventured out into Barrowford.
We bought a pork pie each from 'Beech's' Butchers, (we certainly know how to live it up)!!! Scrumptious and full of meat; we can certainly recommend!
After returning to Coventina, there were several youths sat at the picnic table just next to us and as more and more joined them, we decided to move on and not go out for a meal as initially planned.  We headed off,  mooring up just before Reedley Marina, stopping off at Morrisons on the way.  There is a small mooring place that actually has a gate leading into Morrisons car park, which is extremely useful.  This is hard to spot if you are not aware of it.  (between bridges 141b and 141a).  So, to celebrate, we had a tapas evening onboard and had a great time....

Sunday - a lovely hot day for a change. .. yippee



Nugget celebrating the sun!!

Went on a walk to 'Fence' a village nearby.  The paths were terrible on the walk and a lot were overgrown, but we made it there, hoping to have a Sunday lunch at one of the two pubs shown on the map.  The first one we came to was the 'Fence Gate Inn', which looked lovely inside and out, however a bit on the expensive side.  Unfortunately the other pub had closed down.... so after nibbling on apples and some sweets we had taken with us, we headed back to Coventina and had something onboard instead!!       



Red Light jumper!!!

After mooring overnight near Lower Park Marina at Barnoldswick (chandlery, diesel, gas etc here) on Tuesday evening, we filled up with fuel and set off to moor at Foulridge Wednesday Morning.



Salterforth

After several failed attempts at mooring at the visitor moorings (in urgent need of dredging),  we had no option but to go through the tunnel. 
The green light is only on, on the hour from this end of the tunnel for 10 minutes to allow plenty of time for passage from the other direction.  However, we couldn't set off through the tunnel even though it was showing green as we could hear (bouncing off the sides) and see the light of a hire boat who quite clearly had jumped the red light at the other end of the tunnel!!!  We were one of three boats waiting and we all only just made it through before it turned to red at our end.  Safely through the tunnel, we moored up at the visitor moorings at the top of Barrowford Locks.


Foulridge Tunnel

We went on a walk in the area and ended up in Barrowford, a  lovely little town with all the shops on the high street and a nice large recreation park and visitor centre.  There is also a recently opened (Dec 2014) 'Booths' store with ample parking.    Decided to have a drink in the 'George and Dragon' pub and due to the incessant rain, ended up staying for something to eat.   Their meat and potato pie served with  mushy peas, pickled red cabbage and onions in vinegar was absolutely delicious and can be well recommended at £3.95p each. 
 

Gargrave to Greenberfield Locks

Thursday 13 August - headed to Gargrave.  Stayed until Saturday when we set off up the Bank Newton Locks with a hire boat.  Barry was there to help out.

Having a drink and mooooch about!

 Barry was awarded an MBE in the 2006 New Year Honours List for "Services to Inland Waterways in the North" and certainly knows his stuff.  Moored up between Bridges 165 and 164.  The scenery around this area is absolutely stunning and the weather has certainly improved.  Once moored up, we went on a circular walk via Ingthorpe Grange and through East Marton popping in the Cross Keys pub for a snack.






Sunday 16 August - Nice dry calm day . only cruised on for approximately one hour to East Marton, mooring up just after the double arched bridge.

Went on a circular walk including a short spell on the 'Pennine Way'.  There were some stunning views and with the added peace and quiet, it made a lovely walk.









In the evening went to the 'Cross Keys' pub for a meal.

East Marton

The main courses are approximately £10, however they were delicious and well worth it.
On the way back to Coventina, we walked through St Peter's Churchyard and through a field of sheep.
Beautiful calm evening so sat out with a glass of wine....









Monday 17 August - cruised a further hour to the bottom of Greenberfield Locks.  The Rolls Royce Aerospace Factory is close by.   Had a long walk in the afternoon in the local area. 



Bottom of Greenberfield Locks

Skipton & Day trip to the Coast

We have stayed in Skipton for a few days, this gave us an opportunity to meet up and have some lovely times with Pam, June and Carol.

Chilling out in Skipton!

We have enjoyed several snacks at the Royal Shepherd on Canal Street which is a dog friendly 'proper pub' who serve tasty small portions for only £3.95p which are a bargain and just right as a lunch time snack.
Trevor and Joan  joined us for the day on Tuesday assisting with the electric/manual swing bridge in the centre whilst we turned Coventina round as we will shortly be heading back towards Wigan. 
On Wednesday we caught a train to Carnforth to meet up with our friends who were camping at Red Bank Farm at Bolton -le-Sands (their stay was arranged prior to the failed attempt to go on the Lancaster Canal). It is an hour on the train £16 each return and the scenery for the whole journey was stunning.  Had a really good day; it was great to catch up with them all.  Nugget also had a really good run on the vast beach.


Dad assisting with the swing bridge 

  To top off a wonderful day, whilst we were waiting for the train we were entertained by 'The Swing Commanders' who were a swing band performing at the station Heritage centre, they were absolutely brilliant.
       

So its off to the Dales we go!!!

Thursday 30 July - Left Adlington and cruised on to Johnsons Locks.

Johnsons Locks

All the ground paddles on the towpath side were up, so we had to empty every lock.  We weren't sure if boaters had done this or if it had been carried out by CRT to let water down.  Had some lunch at the 'Top Lock ' pub which was very nice and then carried on to Riley Green, mooring up just before bridge 91A.  Took Nugget on a long walk and checked out the area.
Total travelling time - Adlington to Riley Green 5 hours

Shared lock with a fridge freezer!!

Friday 31 July - Early start, dry overcast day.
We had to share one of the Blackburn locks with a fridge freezer!!! The amount of litter and rubbish thrown in the canal is disappointing.  Stopped off at Rishton for some provisions.  (over the bridge and about 10 minutes up the hill is a Co-op).  Off we set again to finally moor up just  after Fosters swing bridge (115) with nice rural views and wide quiet towpath.  Went on a walk with Nugget in the lovely evening sunshine, which is rare at the moment. 
Travelling time Riley Green to br 115 -7 hours

Saturday 1 August - Cruised on to Rose Grove, a CRT point with clean toilets, elsan etc.  On the High Street there is a PO and a friendly butchers (can recommend the steak mince) and a couple of small convenience stores.  Martin and Andrea came to join us for the day.. pity about the weather as it poured down most of the day.  However as always with them, had a great time including a yummy lunch kindly provided by them..
 Cruised on to Brierfield where they caught the train back to Rose Grove for the car.  We carried on and moored at the bottom of Barrowford Locks.  It turned out quite a pleasant evening and had a good walk with Nugget.
Rose Grove  to Brierfield - cruising time 2.5 hours

Sunday 2 August -  Went up Barrowford Locks pretty smoothly (the CRT lady helped us up a couple).

Barrowford Locks

  Moored up at the visitor moorings at the top of the locks.   Walked to the other end of Foulridge Tunnel and had a delicious ice-cream from 'Café Cargo'.   It is a pleasant walk past a reservoir and through fields etc.
Bottom of Barrowford Locks to the top - visitor moorings - 2.75 hours  

Monday 3 August -   Set off to go  through Foulridge tunnel at 9.30am.  Takes 20 Minutes to go through and then cruised onto Barnoldswick to stop for some provisions and lunch.  While mooring up, stirred up a bike which nearly caught on the prop.  Chris removed the hazard from the canal. Barrowford to bottom of Greenberfield - 3.5 hours

More rubbish in the canal!!!

Tuesday 4 August - Chugged along to East Marton where we filled with water and then carried on, mooring up before bridge 64.  Went on a walk (approx. 4 miles) to East Marton hoping for a cuppa in the café there.  However it shut at 4pm and also the pub didn't open until 5.30pm, so headed back to Coventina.
Greenberfield Locks to before Bridge 164 1.5 hours

Wednesday 5 August - Went down Bank Newton Locks.  Was surprised to see 'Barry from Bingley Five Rise' working the locks.  Apparently he has been there approx. 3 months.  He and a volunteer helped us down as one of the bottom gates was leaking badly.  Carried on a further 3 locks with a lovely Scottish couple on a hire boat into Gargrave.  In the evening after trying both pubs for a meal (one fully booked and the other not serving food), we ended up getting fish and chips.... they were absolutely gorgeous, on the expensive side, but well worth it. Down Bank Newton Locks to Gargrave - 3 hours 

Thursday 6 August - Miserable weather in the morning, but brightened up later.  Headed down the locks from Gargrave and moored up just after the swing bridge at Thorlby.       

Sharp Haw

Went on a walk up through Thorlby, had a look at Tarn House Holiday Park (there were some amazing lodges) and had a drink at the Tarn Hall Inn.  Carried on walking up and walked to the top of 'Sharp Haw' where there were the most amazing 360 degree panoramic views of fantastic countryside (approximately 6 mile walk).   Gargrave to Thorlby Swing Bridge - 1.5 hours.

Friday 7 August - Cruised  onto Skipton where it tends to be busy due to hire boats.  Moored up just before you enter Skipton by the park.   Very handy for a large Morrisons and lots of shops and restaurants/cafes etc.  Pam has joined us for the weekend.  In the evening we went out for a meal to a Chinese buffet to 'Kongs' Chinese Restaurant to celebrate the end of Pam's treatment and her and Gerards anniversary.  The food was absolutely gorgeous at £10.99p per head.  The offer was  until 8pm as much as you could eat, you could take as long as you wish.  Thorlby to Skipton 1.25 hours

Looks like the trip to the Lancaster Canal is off!!

Our summer cruise began on Saturday 18 July 2015, when we set off down the Wigan locks to begin our trip to the Lancaster canal... After the first lock, Helen noticed a lady slumped at the side of her bike unconscious and having difficulty breathing... she called 999, the ambulance arrived quite quickly thankfully and it turned out that she was in anaphylactic shock due to a wasp sting.  She started to come round and we left her in the ambulance crews' expert hands.  Martin, Shirley, Charlotte and little Alex joined us later that morning to help our descent.  Later in the day we set off to Crooke.

Gathurst Bridge

Sunday 19 July Moored before Gathurst bridge and walked up the hill (approx. 15 mins) to Shevington,  there is a Co-op, chemist and fish and chip shop etc which are quite handy.  Then went on to moor just above Appley Lock and on the Monday we cruised on to Parbold.

We have now found out that unfortunately due to a collapsed culvert on the Rufford Branch, we will no longer be able to go on the Lancaster Canal.

Saturday 26 July After a week back at work, Martin and Andrea kindly brought us back to Parbold as we are now turning round and have now decided to go on the Llangollen Canal.   We stocked up at the Co-op on the return journey and Martin and Chris cooked Andrea and I a lovely feast including some sushi !! Had a lovely evening and then despite the rain and forecast we set off back towards Wigan...

Work at No1 Lock Leigh Branch L & L

Unfortunately some more bad news !!! No1 lock on the Leigh branch is now out of order until at least the weekend due to a broken ground paddle. So yet again we are having to rethink our journey.. We are now stuck in Wigan with a lot of other boats in the same predicament.. They have ordered a mobile dam which is due to arrive later in the week before they can drain the pound to repair the paddle.   









 

'Little and Large'



Tuesday 28  July Due to all the stoppages, we have now decided to go back up the Wigan Flight and head towards the Dales for the summer.  Moved just above lock 57 to moor up in preparation for the ascent tomorrow morning.  Late in the evening two cruisers came up the lock and we noticed the water level started to drop and our ropes tightened up.  It quickly became obvious they had left the gates open and all the paddles up!!!. So obviously we sorted this out....

 

Wednesday 29 July   Up early and off we go up the Wigan Flight... As we were on our own, we had a couple of tea breaks on the way and made it up in approximately 6 hours.

Nugget was really well behaved and sat in her favourite spot all the way on the stern!

Once at the top cruised on further to Adlington to moor up for the evening.  Nugget had a good run round in the park which is just next to the moorings.