TUESDAY. At Junction 13, M65 Motorway
(Br 141c Leeds & Liverpool canal)
The 2008 journey thus far: 257 Locks; 368.5 Miles; 51 Swing\Lift Bridges
Journeys using bus pass: 20
Looking out of the window this morning, I could see only mist. There was fine drizzle falling as we had breakfast. We had planned to moor at the bottom of Barrowford locks, which was an easy journey. We waited until the drizzle stopped and off we went. The scenery was still good, but as we were on the summit level, making the most of it as after Barrowford, we would be dropping down into the urban areas of Nelson, Burnley and a short stretch before Blackburn. Between bridges 150 and 149
the canal feeder from Whitemoor reservoir marks the old Yorkshire/Lancashire boundary.
Heavy rain was falling as we arrived at Foulridge tunnel, we had ten minutes to wait for the green light permitting our entry. It was also raining at the West side as we left, we stopped before the locks and tied up. Should the weather clear, we will go down as planned.
At 3pm the weather had brightened and we moved off. We did four locks with no problem, on leaving the fifth, the lower pound was down at least a foot. The next pound was down two feet, and at that moment, the lockie arrived.
We chatted to him and remembered that we had met him when we shared a lock with his brother and mother on their boat six years ago. His brother is still fit and well, his mother died two years ago, aged 85. He told us that his mother was at her happiest when working locks, her late husband was the lockie at Bank Newton; where his brother was born. He told us not to stop at the bottom of the locks, because of yobs, but to go on until we had passed the Flat top bridge.
We did and found the new Pendle boaters recycling moorings. A water point, bins for plastic, tins, paper, general rubbish AND an oil bank. Well done Pendle! Myra changed into overalls and changed the engine and gearbox oil and the engine oil filter.
We put the old oil in the recycling bank, as well as the oil from the last oil change which was still on board. What a good idea, there should be similar facilities in other areas. The moorings were of tarmac and paving stones, security fencing, new recycled plastic landing stage with mooring rings. BW could have put the icing on the cake by dredging to enable boats to come alongside. We were about six inches out at the front and three feet at the back. Boaters cannot leave the mooring area as the sole access is through the depot and workshop where the dustcarts are based, but the gate is only unlocked when the bins require emptying. Another job done, and a safe mooring for the night.
Weather – Misty, then Overcast, Rain then dry spells, moderate wind.
