FRIDAY. At Br79a, Botany Bay, Chorley
The 2008 journey thus far: 270 Locks; 400Miles; 55 Swing\Lift Bridges
Journeys using bus pass: 20
Just for a change, I awoke to the sound of rain. I have given up trying to understand the morning Radio 4 weather forecast. I have discussed this subject with people of a similar age; the consensus seems to be as follows – collectively, we are becoming rapidly senile or the forecasters set out deliberately to confuse so that they never get it wrong. We started off in rain, and that was how it remained apart from a few short dry spells. Entering Blackburn, on the towpath by each bridge hole there was a heap of very rusty rubbish, mainly trolleys and pushchairs with the odd motorcycle or two. Well done BW! I hope that they get around to the removal before the yobs get busy.
We were approaching Imperial Mills; a favourite of mine amongst the mills along this canal. Built about 1900 of brick, it has 3 or 4 stories according to your viewpoint; with two cupola towers. A wonderful building, of course it is now deteriorating, more rapidly over the six years since I looked last upon it. Half of one floor seems to be in use, the rest looks derelict part boarded up with ironwork, windows and doors missing. How sad.
Further along the canal is Daisyfield Mill is another brick built mill, which now is home to a variety of offices and at one time, Granada Television whose logo is still to be seen on the wall.
A boat came towards us, the boater cheerfully telling us ‘Your road, I’ve just come up’ As the flight of six locks appeared, the rain began slightly heavier. Two BW men appeared, they were fixing new warning notices for the cills, graphics now; how on earth have boaters managed for the last 200 years!
We saw the only other boat eastbound shortly before Riley Green, I know that the weather has been wet, but the canal has been really quiet after Foulridge where most of the hire boats seem to head back to Silsden. Arriving at Johnsons Hillock, it was dry, we started down the flight. Before we drained the first lock, the rain began, set in for the rest of the trip. We tied up before the winding hole at Br 79a and scuttled inside at the rain became heavier.
Weather – Rain, strong wind.
