This is the blog of Norwyn & Sheila aboard their narrowboat Shell Bell.
A good nights unbroken sleep, but is was raining when we got up this morning and that would set the trend for the day. Showers of either rain or hail, some quite heavy. We left Hapton around 9am and there was a cool breeze as well as the rain. We had planned to use the service block at Rose Grove but upon arrival there were two boats moored with blinds and curtains all shut. Rather than disturb their sleep we carried on. We stopped on the Burnley embankment for a quick trip to Tescos. We stopped again later for lunch before we got to the seven Barrowford locks. On arrival at the locks we found Ragg Tag and Bobtail and Sah-casm (whom we have moored with for last two nights) entering the first lock. Once they were clear we emptied the lock with the help of some boaters who were just out walking. In fact they helped us through the first three locks. On reaching the the top lock we were now at the highest point of the the Leeds and Liverpool canal. We used the service block at the top lock before moving a few hundred yards and mooring for the night.
some really nice views on route today
Another night of being woken by heavy rain and even heavier hail. This morning though the sun was shining so we set off. Within 30 mins the dark clouds came bringing a shower of rain, it didnt last long and although not warm it did brighten up again. Entering Blackburn it wasn’t long before we arrived at the seven locks in the town. (what a pleasure, NOT). The Nicholson guides state that the lock keeper keeps a tidy flight, well not anymore- rubbish abounds both in and out of the water, some of the gates had broken paddles, water levels were low (paddles left open !!). It took around a couple of hours to clear the locks. It seemed to take a while to clear Blackburn and get to open country. We made steady progress to our overnight moorings at Hapton, which thankfully are great with lovely views. Oh by the way another trip to the weed hatch today to remove a childs anorak minus the child!!!!.
Today 16 miles 6 locks 3 swing bridges
direct line to B.W
Rubbish at a lock all seven the same and more in water
Soon the rains came
It was bright this morning when we pulled away from the mooring at Adlington. It was a very steady start as there were several boats moored all the way out of the town. We were following two other boats. This was amazing because we have seen hardly any boats on the move. We continued following them into Chorley, then the engine note changed. First thought was there is a problem with the engine but then just as quickly reallity kicks in and I realise that the prop has been fouled. So, pulling into the side and delving into the weed hatch I come out with a bag full of various types of plastic bags and sacks. It took around half and hour to get under way again. Within thirty minutes problem number two – one of the boats we had been following earlier was across the cut, firmly aground at the stern. Shell Bell to the rescue! Nudging up alongside Sheila took a rope from the lady on board and tied it to the Bow post. Going astern Shell Bell soon pulled the boat free. Then it was onto the seven Johnson’s hill locks and as we pulled out of the top lock more rubbish round the prop so Sheila did lunch whilst I went down the weed hatch again !!. After lunch and with the prop cleared we had a good run to our overnight mooring at Riley Green just outside Blackburn.Sorry no pictures today poor internet connection i will try and add them tomorrow.
Today 9 mile 7 locks
Hooray it had stopped raining this morning, which was good news because we had 23 locks to do today, 21 of which make up the Wigan flight. Soon we were at the first lock with its strange configuration of chains to shut the gates. Lock one and two cleared, we came to the junction to the left Liverpool to the right Leeds, we needed the right turn. Once round the bend we came to the first of the Wigan flight locks. No other boats around so we set off up the flight solo. After four locks we were aware of a boat coming up behind us so we waited so we could double up. Narrow boat Caldon joined us with a nice crew, including young Alfie. It was really tough going and Sheila and the locking member of Caldon did a fantastic job getting us to the top. These locks are big and heavy and everyone has to be unlocked with the BW handcuff key. Once clear of the top lock we waited to use the water point as a couple of boats NB Rag Tag and Bobtail and NB SAR CASM we have been seeing over a few days were topping their tanks. Once watered we made our way to Adlington and moored for the night on the visitor moorings and had a really nice fish and chip supper.
Today 7 miles 23 locks
the first lock of the day with its chains
Sharing with NB Caldon
It was raining when we woke this morning and it carried on all day. We set off in the wet around 10am. Our first stop would be Bridgewater Marina to top the diesel tank and what a pleasant bunch of guys they were. It was raining cats and dogs but they cheerfully topped the tank. We soon set off again and the next stop would be the town of Leigh for lunch and a trip to the huge Tesco store thats about 10 minutes walk from the canal. Setting off after lunch still in the rain we had a wet but steady cruise to our overnight moorings which are just south of Wigan in a pleasant location near a large lake.
View from our mooring
The weather forecast was spot on ,it said the wind would get up and it would rain. Well it did and we were both woken in the night by the wind rattling around the boat and heavy rain hitting the roof. By morning the wind had eased down and it had stopped raining. It was a slow start this morning leaving Lymm around 10am. We needed to top the water tank and we identified a water point on the map. Next job was to find it. Captain Norwyn found it but there were two boats already on it, both nearly ready to leave. Norwyn put shell bell in reverse but the wind got the bow and Shell Bell muscled her way onto the water point!!!!!!. The weather was better than predicted and made our trip through Manchester all the better. A very industrial landscape including passing the Linotype works (printers will know this is where linotype was invented). We also crossed the Manchester ship canal via the Barton Swing Aquaduct, but we made good progress and moored at Worsley near the old packet house around 3pm.
Today 15 miles
the birthplace of linotype
crossing the manchester ship canal
The Old Packet house from our mooring
A later start today and our first stop was the chandlers on the opposite bank to our overnight moorings. We bought some coal, kindling and a new centre mooring rope. The sun was shining as we set off and the weather remained great all day. We made Lymm by lunchtime and went into the village for a look round and get a paper and some milk. We decided to stay put and spent the afternoon doing a few odd jobs on the boat and generally enjoying the sunshine.
Today 10 miles
Entering Stokton Heath
An early start for us today. We pulled the pins around 8am and our first lock of the day was only a few hundred yards away. We were soon through and heading north as we hoped to make Anderton for lunch. It was very quiet, we encounted our first boat on the move around 09:30 and it was The Mikron Theatre company’s boat, Marsden. We made Anderton at lunch time and had a walk to the Anderton boat lift. This is a huge lift that carries boats from the Trent and Mersey canal to the River Weaver below. After the visit we were off again and it wasn’t long before we came to the first tunnel of the day- the Barnton tunnel. Just before the tunnel we came to really awkward turn and hey presto we met a boat on the blind bend but we managed to avoid each other. Once through the first tunnel, the second tunnel came into view- the Saltersford tunnel. A few miles on and the third tunnel the Preston Brooke was succesfully navigated. Once through we had moved onto the Bridgewater canal. We have moored in Preston Brooke not such a peaceful mooring as we are near the bridge that carries the M56!!!!!!
Today 17 miles 2 locks 3 tunnels
Two boats going into the Anderton boat lift
The Anderton Boat Lift
The End of the tunnel is in sight
Another frost greeted us this morning but the boat remains lovely and warm. It was just after 10am when we set off and were soon at our first lock of the day. A boat was coming up so that helped make the passage nice and easy. The sun was shining but there was a stiff chilly breeze. There were not that many boats on the move, although just after lunch we did meet up with a boat full of pirates coming in the opposite direction. They seemed very friendly (stag weekend). As we passed they managed to run aground so we made good our escape!!!! Arriving in Middlewich we navigated the 5 locks; the third of which leads onto the Trent and Mersey. So we are now back on the Trent and Mersey canal and we have moored for the night on visitor moorings in Middlewich.
Today 9 miles 7 locks
Entrance to the Trent and Mersey
The grass was white with frost this morning, but the sun was shining. We left the nice moorings and made for Nantwich with the sun beating down. It didn’t seem to take long before we arrived at the two locks at Hack Green. Once clear of the locks we enjoyed the cruise to Nantwich and moored near bridge 91. We went into the town for some shopping and a look round. After lunch we moved off and stopped at Nantwich marina for a loo tank empty and top up of the water tank. Once sorted we set off again still in glorious sunshine eventually passing the entrance to the Llangollen canal and arriving at Barbridge junction where we turned onto the Middlewich branch and moored for the night near bridge number 4.
Today 10 miles 2 locks
The entrance to the Llangollen canal
Approaching Barbridge junction (the white arch)
