WEDNESDAY. At Rose Grove (Burnley)BW services
The 2008 journey thus far: 257 Locks; 377 Miles; 51 Swing\Lift Bridges
Journeys using bus pass: 20
I was awoken by the sound of Geese, domestic, not Canada; who had been occupying the towpath opposite and were noisily complaining about the presence of dogs and their owners. The eleven geese took to the canal and failed to qualify for the synchronised swimming event. They were all over the place – honestly, a complete gaggle.
We had breakfast and moved a short distance to the moorings at Morrisons. I stocked up the cellar with beer and lemonade as I am sure that summer will arrive requiring the dispensing of the humble shandy. Myra stocked up with important food and vegetables. Once underway, I was subjected to a series of heavy but short lived showers of rain as we headed for Burnley.
There is another marina almost finished on the outskirts, I wonder how long before all the moorings are taken up. A quick look would seem to indicate about 90 berths.
We saw more derelict factories, including at the south end of the impressive embankment, the BW maintenance yard, boarded up since our visit six years ago. BW must have forgotten about it as I am sure that in their role as custodians of the unique canal heritage of Britain, the site could have been preserved and improved with the addition of an enabling development of 150 waterside apartments. (Just send my consultant fees to my home address)
We moored at the Rose Grove service block; we had a shower and then Myra went off to buy fish and chips from the shop over the canal bridge. They were excellent both in flavour and value at £5.60 in total. The shop, Maureen’s, had been recommended to us; we can happily do the same.
Later, the local butcher supplied us with some individual pies; pork and apple, pork with garlic and plain pork. Good locally produced food with a lovely taste.
Local entertainment was provided after supper by three lads floating along the canal on door sized slabs of insulation, using lengths of four by two as paddles. One of them had the deluxe model slab, with a seat from a stack of smaller insulation pieces. They were having a great time and were friendly, cheerful and polite. We did however, decline their request to lend them our engine to let them move faster.
Weather – Rain showers, some heavy, strong wind.
