8th July 2013 - Leigh to Manchester

All good things must come to an end and it was with heavy hearts we slipped our moorings at Pennington Flash and said goodbye to John & Rosemary on Devon Maid and David & Kay on Meander.  We stopped in Leigh for a bit of shopping.

Entering Manchester we decided to turn left onto the Rochdale canal rather than return the way we had come.  This takes us into central Manchester and was not far out of our way.  Moving into the centre, the canal passes Old Trafford, the home of MUFC with some great views of the ground.  The canal side views just got better as we got further in, with a mix of old abandoned wharves and brand new but spectacular apartment blocks.  We finally made our way into Castlefields basin which is considered by many boaters, the only safe place to stop in Manchester - and wow! it was great.  Perhaps not quite as spectacular as Liverpool but really interesting and right in the city centre.  We went a walk around the central area before tea.

Quite a noisy night - but in the centre of a city, what can you expect.

Back through Worseley

Two ships on the Ship Canal in Manchester docks

Passing Old Trafford

Bridgescape on the approach to Castlefields

7th July 2013 - Remained at Leigh

Staying at Leigh again today as its important sport-wise and we have a good TV signal.

Borrowed a 4lb lump hammer from John on Devon Maid in order to have  a go at removing the tiller swan neck which will allow me to replace the rudder bearing.  Despite lots of enthusiastic 'pursuasion' with the hammer failed in removing the swan neck but succeeded in straining my shoulder :-(  Never mind it will have to wait until we get home.

Listened to the German GP on the radio (as sadly this one isnt televised by the Beeb).  We then watched Andy Murray win the Wimbledon mens final, considerately doing it in three sets, not five which allowed me to watch the GP re-run on the Beeb.

Just after lunch we heard Meanders familiar horn sounding behind us and they moored up behind us - nice to see them again!  We enjoyed strawberries and ice cream during the final, followed by champers after the match to celebrate, sat out in the sun by the boats.

A charity run during the morning had 400+ runners passing us

Meander, Ceilidh & Devon Maid moored at Pennington Flash

6th July 2013 - Remained at Leigh

We are in an absolutely beautiful spot.  Lovely scenery, loads of wildlife.  Which is remarkable because we are right next to what was an old colliery tip.  Full credit to the people who have 'reclaimed' this area from industrial use, but they have made a fantastic job. The Flash of course was created solely by mining subsidence.

The day started off hot and got hotter.... We had a leisurely morning reading, before going out for a walk around the lake.  Got chatting again to John and Rosemary from Devon Maid on our return.  After lunch I finally managed to repair the puncture in Annies back tyre (2nd attempt) so we cycled into Leigh, found Aldis and did a bit of a food shop.

Pennington Flash from the canal

5th July 2013 - Wigan to Leigh

We had decided it would be nice to take a different route south, turning off through Manchester on the Rochdale Canal then via the Ashton, Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals to rejoin the Trent and Mersey Canal at Kidsgrove.  This route is known as part of the 'Cheshire Ring'. Snag is it is 'bandit country' not considered safe by boaters.  The advice is to avoid school holidays and travel certain sections very early in the morning.  Our problem is that we would be doing the trickiest bit this weekend - not recommended.  We have therefore decided to slow down and not approach Manchester until after the weekend and make a decision then.  If there are other boats going that way, then we will travel with them.  Kids stoning boats are the norm.  David and Kay got shot at with a pellet gun and had eggs thrown - not enough to put us off you understand but we are looking to minimise any risks.

It wasnt helped by having things thrown at the boat last night by a gang of lads. No damage done.

We came through Plank Lane lift bridge just as two boats came the other way, breasted up as one had broken down.  Once through the bridge we moored up to take on water.  Tank full we moved on and resolved to have lunch at Pennington Flash, where the canal overlooks the lovely lake and sailing club.  Arriving at the Flash there we pulled in behind "Devon Maid" with whom we had shared a pontoon for a week in Liverpool.  Needless to say we spent quite a bit of time discussing Liverpool and catching up.  So we never did leave!  Annie watched the tennis with excellent reception (we can see the mast!).  Have decided to stay here for the weekend to catch the Wimbledon mens final and German GP rather than risk moving on and finding no TV signal.

Filling with water at Plank Lane lift bridge

4th July 2013 - Appley Bridge to Poolstock Locks, Wigan

I dipped the fuel the other night and noted that we were down to 1/4 full - time to refill with diesel.  Our 200+litre tank meant that this could be quite a pricey operation.  On the way up we had spotted  "Ambush" a historic Leeds & Liverpool 'short boat' at Crooke selling diesel.  This is a way to keep the old working boats working, and also pays for their not inconsiderable upkeep.

We had phoned ahead to agree price and had said we would be there by 10am.  Sadly this was not to be as two walkers stopped us as we were about to set off, asking what life was like on the boat.  The chap was really keen to get a boat and 'escape' onto the water - his wife was reminding him that they had children....  Anyway we reached Crooke and found Ambush about 11am and were soon ties up alongside filling with diesel.  

Diesel prices are a bit of a black art at the moment. Historically boats have not paid duty on their diesel.  Then a few years ago the EC declared that duty must be paid on ALL diesel used for any transportation - including marine.  The complication comes in that some boats use the diesel in their tanks not only for moving but also for heating.  In addition we use our engine to charge the batteries to give us power.  These portions are not taxable. So the UK government effectively defied Brussels and said it was up to each boat owner to state what proportion of their diesel is for moving, and what was for domestic use, setting a 60/40 split as a guideline.  So I asked Derek on 'Ambush' what split he would accept.  "Don't do splits - or duty... too complcated"  85p/litre it was!

Ambush

3rd July 2013 - Burscough to Appley Bridge

It rained hard overnight and was still raining in the morning.  The engine hole was full of water and needed mopping out before we could move off - I am trying to keep the engine room clean and dry!

We set off mid-morning and pulled in behind Meander for the now customary cup of tea and this time final farewell.  Annie was keen to watch Murray playing at Wimbledon so we pulled in at 3pm - we had just gone through Appley Bridge and had a lovely view over the adjacent fields.

Mooring at Appley Bridge

Annie was helming and suddenly shouted out - quick! get the camera!.  Four Sparrowhawk chicks just about to fledge 

2nd July 2013 - Haskayne to Burscough

Liverpool had been lovely, but inevitably with a city there was a background (sometimes quite loud) noise all night.  It was lovely to be back in the country and have a night of total silence. We had a leisurely start to the day - Meander came passed at 10am, not quite the 9am they had promised us.  We set off shortly afterwards, heading to Heatons Bridge for 12 noon to meet Julie.  In the event she was there first and walked down the towpath to meet us - a little sore after a fight with her dentist that morning.  Moored up and had lunch - soup in sympathy with J's poorly mouth.

Our plan for the afternoon was to pump out the loo tank at Burscough but when we got there it was raining hard so we moored up to wait for the rain to stop. Neither of us fancied pumping a loo tank in the pouring rain!  After 30 mins we were politely informed that we were on someone elses moorings and could we leave!  Well it had just stopped raining so no reason to stay.  Unfortunately tank outlets were on the wrong side of the boat, requiring us to go passed the pumpout point and turn the boat around 1/2 mile further on.  Returning to the sanitary station the pump out went without a hitch.  For some reason 3 lads loitering beneath the adjacent bridge (glue sniffing?) were driven away - possibly from the rich aroma of the pumpout!

That left us pointing in the wrong direction!  So we had to return in the direction of Liverpool looking for somewhere to turn (canal = 40ft wide, Ceilidh = 54ft long).  We managed to turn by putting the bows onto the slipway of the Slipway pub.... and they had a spare mooring.... and it was raining.  So we stayed. As the mooring was only for their patrons, of course we had to become their patrons.

The Slipway pub outside Burscough.  Chez Ceilidh.