Well we have eventually made it up onto the Lancaster Canal and are currently moored up on the visitor moorings at Garstang.  Garstang looks like a nice little town with a decent high street and some reasonable shops.  Not spent much time looking around though as the weather is foul and it has rained pretty much all day.  Will probably stop off here on the way back for a better look around.  We have done shopping today in two shifts as we needed too much to carry in one go.  We went to Salisbury's but also found a supermarket called Booths, this is a supermarket that is based mainly in Lancashire and is a bit upmarket kind of like Waitrose.

We were delayed making the trip over here because of the wind and were not allowed out onto the river until Tuesday at 12:30.  This is because both the Douglas and the Ribble are tidal rivers and you have to cross the Ribble estuary.  However Tuesday was a beautiful day, no wind and sunny and the crossing was brilliant.

The famous Harry, who mans Tarleton Lock called the ten boats doing the crossing to the lock at 11:30.  However it took an hour to get us all through so plenty of time waiting at the top to descend.  We were the last pair of boats out of Tarleton Lock and the boat we came down with must have had a big engine as he powered on and was amongst the first to turn onto the Ribble Link.

A selection of the boats moored at the top of Tarleton Lock

We were advised that coming out of the lock we would need to give it some power or the river would push us sideways.  Saw this as the boat that came out with us was just taken sideways.  Amazing the power of water and the tide.

I really enjoyed the trip it seemed very different to the tidal Trent, which we did last year.  It was a brilliant and exciting day.  Normally they only allow boats one way, but as the two previous crossings from Tartleton were cancelled they let ten boats out and another six were coming across from the Lancaster.

Approaching Tarleton Lock

In the lock and going down

Coming out of Tarleton Lock onto the River Douglas, the flow was fast

We're off!!

three of the ten boats let out of the lock!

narrow boat Motex, we later shared locks with them on the Link.

There were six boats coming the other way.  They had an easier job as they weren't battling against the tide!

Catching up some of the other boats!

Turning onto the Ribble Link

The actual crossing took about 3 hours before we turned onto the Ribble Link.  The link opened in 2002 and connects the Lancaster Canal to the rest of the canal network.  It was constructed from the Savick Brook and is a fairly surprising navigation.  It is very twisty and narrow and shallow in places.  In spite of the dire predictions from one of the boaters we came across with we all made it into the link apart from one of the boats we set off with.  But that was because he did not make it in time before they had to shut the sea lock to stop the water level dropping too much. He was directed on to Preston Docks for the night.

Once through the sea lock you have to moor up until the water level has dropped enough to let boats under the first bridge.  Nine boats all hanging together was a sight to see.

Graham reliving the trip with other boaters.

Nine of us all moored together!

It's a bit twisty and narrow here.

There are nine locks including the sea lock on the link.  All are operated by boaters apart from the staircase of three, which are the last locks.  But there were CRT guys at most to lend a hand.  The staircase of three locks is huge and is on a hairpin bend that narrow boats cannot negotiate so has to be reversed into.  A daunting prospect!!

Last bridge before the staircase.

The huge and amazing staircase lock that we had to reverse into.

Reversing into the lock

And onto the Lancaster Canal

It was a long day with the journey along the link taking almost as much time as the crossing itself and we are both knackered.  However it was a fantastic day which I am glad we did. I would recommend it to anyone.  The plan now is to make it to the end and then come back slowly and stop at all the places we want to see more of.  Looking forward to going to Morecombe Bay but hope the weather improves soon.

Its been a few days since my last post and we are now moored up towards the end of the Rufford Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.  Tomorrow we are due to cross the River Ribble estuary and onto the Lancaster Canal.  Fingers crossed that it happens as we walked up to Tarleton Lock today and were told by disappointed boaters that today's crossing had been cancelled due to the gusting winds.

It has been a busy few days getting here slipping off the Bridgewater Canal and onto the Leeds and Liverpool on Wednesday morning.  The locks up this way are big and awkward.  Although only the same physical size as the double locks on the Grand Union Canal,, they seem a lot bigger.  The gate beams are huge and the winding gear is mounted on top, which makes it high and difficult to reach for a shortarse like me!  Also you cant walk across the gates which means you have to trek all around the whole lock to get to the other side.

We wondered if Fred Dibnah had been up this chimney!

More industrial architecture

Leaving the Bridgewater and heading onto the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

It's not all industry around here though!

On Wednesday we went past the famous Wigan Peer, eventually mooring overnight at Crooke, a very picturesque location.  Before continuing on Thursday to turn onto the Rufford Branch.  We had hoped to use the facilities here, but they were locked up and not in use.  Filled up with water but no Elsan facility or rubbish disposal.  We then tackled the first four locks and moored up below lock four.  As we were a bit ahead of time we stayed there until late Saturday morning.  Friday was a beautiful sunny day, in spite of the rather dire weather forecast so we enjoyed sitting out in our new chairs.  Sadly the weather has deteriorated since then and we are now enjoying what sound like gale force winds with heavy showers mixed in.

The famous Wigan Peer!

Waiting to use the locks

An ancient sail-less windmill at Parbold

This is possibly the most unusual sight so far!!

The junction onto the Rufford Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Moored up at the services which were locked

A lazy day in the sun on Friday

Today we were going to move up to the moorings where you are supposed to wait for the crossing.  However it will be a bit congested as the boats that should have crossed today are still there and we have counted another five go past this morning.  I think we may wait and go along tomorrow morning as we don't have to be there until 10:27, two hours before we are let out of the lock at high tide.

Monday morning an early start and I walked the dogs to Preston Brook tunnel.  We arrived just too late to enter so had to wait for 45 minutes before we could go through.  Had a chat with the people on the hire boat behind, who made a big fuss of Truly.  She jumped onto their boat and was reluctant to leave when it was time to go.  She is such a floozy!!

Preston Brook Tunnel marks the end of the Trent and Mersey Canal and the beginning of the Bridgewater Canal.  This is not run by CRT but by the Bridgewater Canal Co. Which is part of the company which Manages the Manchester Ship Canal.

Waiting to enter Preston Brook Tunnel

Almost time to go!

Boat entering the tunnel behind us

Inside Preston Brook Tunnel

A quiet, lazy day with some beautiful countryside.  Stopped for water at the facilities marked on the map.  No water though!  Found some about a mile further on and stopped and filled up the tank.  Chatted with some boaters who are based locally and they recommended good moorings places and places to visit.

Cranes to lift stop planks are a feature of the Bridgewater Canal

Two of the many picturesque bridges on this stretch

Rhododendrons in flower

We moored for the evening at Dunham with a whole fleet of other boats.  This is unusual for us as we generally try to moor away from other people because of the dogs.

Another early start this morning and we stopped at Sale to do some shopping.  Sale is a busy town with a good town centre.  The canal today goes through countryside and more industrial areas, with modern and old buildings in close proximity with each other.

Old and modern architecture all within around 300 meters of each other

Today we crossed the Barton Lane Swing Aqueduct, which takes the Bridgewater Canal over the Manchester Ship Canal.  An impressive structure and apparently it is still in working order.

Crossing the aqueduct and views over the Manchester Ship Canal

At Parrin Lane Bridge the canal takes a sharp turn, as we rounded the turn we were confronted by two huge barges coming through the bridge.  A sharp reversing maneuver was called for!

Its a rule of boating that you only meet other boats in bridge 'oles

Massive work boats on this canal

The canal is very picturesque around Worsley

Moored up overnight near Astley and walked to the pub.  Sat outside and had a beer as we had the dogs with us.  Tomorrow we will be finishing the Bridgewater Canal and going onto the Leeds and Liverpool.