Norden (straight through Blackburn)

We set off at 10.30 on Tuesday morning with the plan of going up the seven locks at Johnson’s Hillock and cruising towards Blackburn.  Upon reaching the outskirts of Blackburn we would decide whether to stop there or press on up the six locks in the centre and moor up out in the country the other side.

Approaching the bottom lock at Johnson’s Hillock

To the left of the lock is the remains of the Walton Summit branch.  This was part of the Lancaster canal which was going to be built from Salford to Preston and then on to Lancaster.  Although the section up to Lancaster from Preston was built, not all the southern section was completed, and a tramway was used from the end of the Walton Summit to Preston.  The Lancaster and Leeds & Liverpool canals shared the same channel from here back down to Wigan and it was known as the Lancaster Pool.  At Wigan the Lancaster canal branched off again (where we were moored on Sunday night) towards Salford but it too was never completed.

The Johnson’s Hillock flight is in a very pretty location and there were quite a few walkers out and young families having picnics in the sun which came out for a while.

Sign at the bottom lock

I was closing the bottom gate of the third lock when we noticed someone operating the bottom lock.  Karen went down to investigate and there was a single boat coming up so Karen told them we would wait for them so we could share the remaining locks.  We had a cup of coffee whilst we waited and then went up the final locks together.

Waiting for Charlie and Linda to catch up and join us

Charlie emigrated to South Africa many years ago and Linda is Canadian.  As with most people we meet up with they were a lovely couple and having another boat and crew made the going much easier.  They were on a hire boat that we recognised as being from Kate Boats in Warwick so we were really surprised to see them this far north until they told us that they had hired it for two months.  They said they always take long holidays, whether by camper van, motorbike or boat – a great life.

Linda driving Henry James (all Kate Boats’ hire boats seem to have boys or girls names)

After chatting with them we all agreed to push on to the other side of Blackburn together and to make sure we could do it we would have lunch on the move.

Karen had gone ahead to set the top lock but there was already a boat in it coming down.  As it came out I recognised it as Paneke (Maori for flat bottomed boat) that was moored for the winter on the Saltisford arm in Warwick.  Karen and I walked past it many times during the weeks we spent moored in the area over last winter.  I had also met the owners, Roger and Jane, last summer when I was taking Buddy for a walk near Bascote on the Grand Union.  As their (flower laden) boat approached us, Roger was driving and called into the boat for Jane as he could see Mr Chalkhill Blue.  It transpired they read blogs, ours included.  This was why, when Karen met Jane at the lock today, Jane surprised Karen by saying, ‘Hello Mrs Chalkhill Blue’.  

To give them their due, they had obviously read the latest blog entry as both were surprised we had replaced the plants at the front of the boat.  I’m sorry Roger, but none of the pictures I took of you on Paneke (still flower laden) were in focus – I must have been laughing too much at your comments as you passed 😊

For some reason the gate paddle gear was higher than usual at the top lock – Sophie, my favourite daughter (married), certainly wouldn’t have been able to operate it:

 Should have got a shot when Karen was at the top of the turn rather than half way up

Once we left the locks Karen went inside to get one of our favourite slow cooker curries on the go and then we had lunch on the move.  By this time the blue skies had disappeared and the wind was getting up.

The canal was still very scenic even though we were approaching the Blackburn, Burnley, Colne and Nelson area.

Heading through Withnell Fold

I couldn't find out what this was but assume it was probably an old arm to a wharf but the banking looks very new

Approaching Riley Green

Just before reaching Riley Green the canal goes under the M65 at a point that always frustrates me when we drive on the motorway.  As you approach the bridge in a car there is a large sign announcing The Leeds & Liverpool canal.  It appears to be totally pointless unless you’re sitting on top of a lorry as you cannot see any sign of the canal over the parapet ☹ The canal goes under or over the M65 many times as they both make their way to Colne and, on most crossings the canal can clearly be seen – why not put the sign at one of those points instead?

Going under the M65 for the first of what will be many times for us this week

Cows at Riley Green

Our first Canada geese for quite a while

We haven't seen many Canada geese since being on this canal which has been rather pleasing for Karen; they are one of her pet hates, as when they group together they are pests.  Linda found it really funny that we call them Canada geese as she had assumed they were only called that in Canada.

Not a milepost but a boundary post between the districts of Chorley and Blackburn & Darwen

As we neared the centre of Blackburn a likely looking character was walking along the same direction as us but just in front.  He kept looking back at me and then stopped, I asked him if he was OK and he pointed at one of those plastic road works barrier things standing just under the water.  He carried on for quite a way helpfully pointing out obstructions in the water for me 😊

It didn’t seem that long until we were approaching the flight of six locks in Blackburn.  These were quite different, scenery-wise, to those we had gone up earlier, but they didn’t take long as we shared with Charlie and Linda again.

Charlie relieved to have finished the last lock of the day

Soon after leaving the locks I saw a kingfisher skimming the water in the way they do before disappearing into a tree - always a gorgeous sight especially in a town.

Next we passed Eanam Wharf.  This was originally built as a grain wharf and there used to be a windmill (with an interesting history) next to it.

Eanam Wharf

Here is an extract from the 2013 Proposal to turn Eanam Wharf into a Conservation Area that contains an amusing reference to the windmill:

“The two storey warehouse buildings along Eanam Wharf date from 1810 when the canal opened, the contiguous three storey buildings are later, and were originally built for the grain trade. Beyond navigation bridge was originally sited a windmill which was used to grind corn and was built in 1822. The windmill had large sails which rotated at high speed in strong winds and then friction was so great that it caught fire soon after it was built. When the canal basin was busy the boats would lie two abreast and the crane would unload from the furthest boat and swing goods inside the top floors of the warehouse.”

Apparently, a packet boat service also used to operate from the wharf to Burnley.  It was started in 1824 and the journey took four hours.

A little further on is Daisyfield corn and flour mill which is the largest mill building surviving in Blackburn.  As you can see, Granada TV now occupy part of the building.

 Daisyfield Mill built in 1871

Novel advertising by a fabric covering manufacturer

We carried on another three miles before hitting the open countryside to start looking for places to moor.  The first likely spot already had two boats at it and there wasn’t room for any more.  As we approached we realised one was Clive and Jenny (aka Colin and Jackie 😉) who we had gone up most of the Wigan flight with.  We had a quick chat with Clive (and a laugh over me getting their names wrong) and found that they were going to be moving on at a slightly faster daily rate than us as they needed to get to Foulridge by Thursday.  Though we hope to bump into each other again in the coming weeks as they slow down again.

I forgot to give Clive a ribbing about the thrashing Australia had just received from England in the day's ODI but later remembered that, although he supports most Aussie sports teams, he finds he cannot support their cricket team.

We finally moored up at 5.30 having completed 13 miles through 13 locks during the day.  The curry in the slow cooker was most welcoming 😊

Our Tuesday night mooring

Buddy already asleep as we were tying up