So we came through Tom Benson Way Bridge into what seemed like a dead end basin. As we came out, looking back I saw a yawning lock! We had lost our crew as they took the towpath from lock 4.

Tom Benson Way Bridge

Lock 3, bottom of the staircase locks

Hmm - it looked as if there was not enough room to turn in the basin, so it was time to test John's reversing skills! John confided later that if the BW guys who were waiting for us had not been ready he would have probably tried to turn Epiphany, but I am not sure there would have been room!

Reversing into lock 3

I asked the BW chap if he had observed a fair bit of "fun" here. He said he had and it was really fun when boats became wedged against the far side of the basin when turning! They had to use poles and ropes to pull and push them  off! I was glad then that John hadn't tried!

Margaret Rose joined us and the lock was huge! Only poles to hang on to

We were locked through by BW and watched by the Sunday Gongoozlers! Once the lock was full we reversed back into lock 2 and the gates of lock 3 closed on us!

The cill of lock 2. Longer boats might have had to avoid the showers

One more lock to go and I looked back as we reversed into lock 1

It looks as if boats have had problems here by the looks of the rudder marks on the cill. Hopefully with BW always on hand accidents are avoided.

The water came in pretty fast!

When we were up I noticed a useful gadget on the top beam

I am not sure if this is its real purpose, nor am I sure I would leave my windlass there! However it works for them!

So we were at the top, but we had to reverse one more time into the top basin. This is where we said goodbye to our wonderful, faithful Crew. We had really enjoyed their company and "picking their brains". We hope they enjoyed the trip as much as we did. Many thanks Richard and Rich we hope you were not too exhausted!

Leaving the top lock

The top basin and bridge to the Lancaster Canal

There are moorings here for boats who are to go down the Ribble Link, we have just over a month before that will be us!

As we went under Bridge 1 we spotted the sign - we had arrived!

We had finally done it and we couldn't have had a better day for it. How does the song go "Oh what a perfect day, I wish I could share it with you". Well, I have - and I hope you enjoyed it too, despite my literary dramatic suspense style!

We turned left to Lancaster

The canal stretched before us

We moored for the night  not long after Cottam Hall Bridge (17), where there are rings, but a noisy sports centre! We had a quiet night though; thank goodness, as it had been a long day.

A selection of our Ribble Link photos - the ones I have used and more are here - the first five pages!

Staircase Basin to Cottam Hall Bridge - 0 hours 57 minutes, 0.48 miles, 3 locks
Tarleton to Cottam Hall Bridge - 6 hours 20 minutes, 11.58 miles, 10 locks

 

Add comment

Name (required)

E-mail (required, but will not display)

Title (required)

Notify me of follow-up comments

Refresh

Send

Cancel