This evening we are moored at the top of Wigan flight waiting to descend in the morning.  I think it will be an early start as the fearsome Wigan Flight is a flight of 21 double locks.  As they are also quite short (a maximum of 60 foot), like the rest of the Leeds Liverpool Canal it can be problematic going through with a 60 foot boat, especially if the gates are leaky as water floods into the back cabin if precautions are not taken!  The moorings near the top of the flight are a bit shallow so we can't get the boat into the side this evening and need to use a gang plank.  The dogs manage this quite well but are well able to jump to shore should they choose to do so.

Moored near the top of Wigan Flight.  Cant get into the side because it is too shallow!

Mooring pin covers that I crocheted after spotting something similar on a moored boat at Skipton.

Today has been a fairly easy day following two long days with early starts to get through Burnley and Blackburn as apparently they are no go areas for mooring.  Always unsure whether the horror stories have any substance but on balance prefer to abide by the received wisdom and avoid overnight stays.  However neither place seemed that bad so maybe not as black as has been painted.

Although we had two long days on Thursday and Friday we also had some easy more chilled days.  On Wednesday we visited Barnoldswick, known as Barlick by the locals, where we spent a couple of hours looking around the town, shopping and eating another lovely homemade pork pie and buying home made malt bread, delicious!!  We moored for the evening at Salterforth on the visitor moorings, right outside the Anchor pub, where we had good beer and a lovely meal.  We were the only boat on the visitor moorings overnight, no idea why.

One man and his dog at the services at the top of the very pretty Greenberfield Locks

Salterforth visitor mooring right outside the pub! no idea why no-one else moored here.

Thursday was a long day with the six locks of Barrowford Flight, and a very hot day.  Not helped by one of the pounds being so low we got stuck and had to go and run water down from the lock above.  Always a pain!!  Also almost got hit by a hire boat leaving a lock and apparently not knowing that you need to steer a boat.  Graham not happy as he couldn't move any further over as too shallow.  Before the locks we passed through Foulbridge Tunnel, where we had to wait for the traffic light signal before entering.  Jake managed to fall off the back of the boat just before the entrance and had to be rescued.  He has quite got the hang of swimming after the boat now instead of heading for the side.  This makes it easier to haul him back onboard.  Moored for the night at Hapton.  Not too bad but a busy towpath and several motorcycles along, not sure that they are strictly allowed!

Approaching Foulridge Tunnel

Waiting to go through Foulridge Tunnel

North portal Foulridge Tunnel

Poor Jake fell in!!

Don't take my picture I'm wet (haha!!)

Friday was another long day with another six locks, Blackburn Flight, seemed to be an easier day though in spite of having a very early start.  Leaving early helped to beat the heat of the day and at least it was cooler for the locks.  Moored at Riley Green overnight and had another pub meal.  Nice but a bit pricey for what it was.

Saturday was another early start and yet another flight of seven locks.  However met another boat at the top of the flight and shared locks.  A fairly short day as we stopped at the bottom of the locks, Johnson's Hill Flight.  Later in the afternoon walked back up the flight to the excellent Top Lock pub where we had a more reasonably priced meal.  I had the special curry that was by far the best curry I have ever eaten in a pub and would give several takeaway and Indian Restaurants a run for their money.  It was made by the manager to his own recipe and apparently the Top Lock are famous for their curries.

While moored at Johnson's Hill Flight we spotted the Piano Raft!  This guy is taking his unpowered raft, which has a piano on the back from Liverpool to London, via Leeds. Had a chat with him this morning as he was moored in one of the lock pounds when we walked the dogs.  Not sure how he will tackle the tidal Trent or indeed get up Foxton and down Watford locks as they are narrow beam locks and he is too wide.  Grahm is pretty sure we saw this at Burscough last year so there may be another photo of it in an earlier installment.  http://pianoraft.wordpress.com/  I have included a link to his blog for anyone interested.

Piano raft Kontiki

Piano raft Kontiki

Tomorrow is our 30th wedding anniversary and for a special treat I will be working the 21 locks of Wigan Flight!