Plank Lane to Top Lock Wigan - Leeds & Liverpool

We moored on the offside just before Plank Lane lift Bridge and completed a circular walk stopping for a pint in the 'Nevison' (a quirky cosy pub just 400 yards down the road from the lift bridge).

Cosy in the Nevison Pub 

The following day we waited until 9.45am  to go through Plank Lane lift bridge as you are unable to use it during rush hour due to the volume of traffic.  A newly built marina is next to the bridge and boats are already moored here with new houses under construction surrounding it. 

On route to Wigan we stopped off at Leigh for provisions (a handy Aldi is next to the canal with mooring rings).

We then moored at the bottom of the Wigan flight in anticipation of the ascent the following day.  Due to water shortages, CRT are only opening the locks from 8am to 9am and for exiting the locks from 2.00pm to 3pm.


Damaged lock gates

At 8am we set off, luckily we shared the locks with another boat, 'Moongazer' with a crew of three once we had tied the boats together.
  It went really smoothly and we all worked really well together.  Approximately half way up the flight CRT assisted us through one lock as the bottom gates were damaged  due to an over zealous boater the previous week.  We completed it in 4 hours!!! a new record and to celebrate, we all enjoyed a well earned pint or two at the Kirkless Hall pub.

......Another summer has come to an end, we have had an enjoyable trip on the Llangollen canal.   We extend our thanks to family and friends who have kindly ferried us about and who have also joined us for some wonderful times over the summer.