Sunday 30 September 2012

Thursday 27th Sept - The Leigh Branch – Both Companies

So we set off on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, making Plank Lane at dusk and the needed water point. A hot shower being most welcome after a day of 23 locks.
Plank Lane – you can just see the Winter Hill TV mast lit in red.

 
One of the most helpful facilities BW offer via Waterscape is their Stoppage Alerts. Most do not affect us – however, on this occasion, the information about the breaches and erosion at Dutton and Croxton on the northern Trent and Mersey were directly relevant as this was to be our way back to Audelm.
Alas, the information available gave us the news that a Plan B was needed.
See this link for the Dutton breach:
And so we cruised the Leigh Branch of the Bridgewater Canal heading for an early finish at Castlefield.


Worsely Dry Docks
 
Typical of the Bridgewater – cranes for the stop planks
Having made good cruising time, we turned the bend to see this!
Barton Swing Aqueduct – swung shut!
 
A call to the Canal Office gave us a 4pm expected opening – as it was then 12.30, we had time for lunch and to get the log book and blog up to date.
Barton Aqueduct Info:
The cruise across the Aqueduct is always exciting and this time we turned east towards Manchester and a section of the canal system we haven't been through since on our first boat in 1993! We enjoyed the late afternoon cruise through the changing fortunes and industries of Sale and so into Castlefield itself.
Manchester, here we come
See nb Albert's Blog of the same route:
The most famous football ground in the universe.
 
Pamona Lock, down to the River Irwell and the Manchester Ship Canal. One day?
I was told by one of the trip boat skippers that it costs £40 to lock down?
 
The beauty of Victorian ironwork
Approaching Castlefield
 
See next blog for our Staffordshire Arm weekend mooring.
 
 

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