More about Blackburn on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Sunday, 26 July 2009 10:31

Blackburn goes on and on!

Yesterdays blog saw us going up Blackburn locks without too much problem! Now we were travelling above the town and through its past and present industry. However we stopped after Grimshaw Park Bridge (101) to top up our provisions at Asda.

I stayed on Epiphany as we did not want both of us to leave the boat in this location. John took the short path down to the supermarket. I made it obvious that I was on the boat, whilst doing a bit of cleaning! I had a long chat with a chap who passed by carrying his can of cider! He thought that the Leeds and Liverpool Canal just "stopped" and despite his inebriation we got on well as I explained the canal system to him!

Once John was back we set off and we could see Blackburn Cathedral across the town

All the bridges through Blackburn have ornate number plaques

They are a sad reminder of the Leeds Liverpool Canal Corridor Improvements carried out by Blackburn City Challenge, including artwork and 75 metres of dry stone wall incorporating three long seats and two sets of cycle barriers. Why sad? Because the cycle barriers have been covered in graffiti and it appears any attempts at repainting them have been abortive. Perhaps they offer a lesson to those who would spend money on such things in a canalside urban environment.

At Eanam Wharf are the canopied wharves of the Depot

The buildings used to be the office of the L and L Area Director. These canal warehouses and wharves were once bustling with life, barges and cranes. They are now offices and a pub, and as we passed there was some sort of training going on in one of the rooms - they had the door open but we did not stop to be "trained"! Rounding a corner I recognised the logo on this huge old mill.

Daisy Field Corn Mill

This Mill built in 1870 and was owned by Joseph Appleby and Sons. It was purchased by wallpaper manufacturers and used as a distribution warehouse. This closed in 1987 and is now used by Granada TV as a film studio.

Another relic of the past is Imperial Warehouse, it looked derelict but actually seems to be in use still

This was built as recently as 1900, housing ring spindles for spinning cotton. It is now small industrial units.

So we finally finished with Blackburn! We had no trouble this time but I was glad to leave it behind and start to see a bit more of the countryside again!

A gaggle of geese - and do they gaggle, what a noise

Side Beet Bridge (106) had lovely countryside around it

The M65 was now with us and it follows the line of The Calder Valley, taking a much straighter route than the canal which begins to twist and turn towards Norden and Rishton. It bends around Rishton Reservoir

Norden Bridge 107A welcomes the boater to Rishton

It has a metal sculpture created by the "Prospects Panel" beside it. It appears Rishton can maintain its sculptures better than Blackburn!

Rishton Bridge (108A) has a garden with stone benches as well as another metal sculpture

Just after the bridge there are visitor moorings and this was to be our resting place for the night! John went for a wander to post a card and came back with fish and chips. I should send him to the post more often!

We had survived Blackburn without any incidents and as it had been a long day and we were glad to relax in front of the "box"!

Riley Green Bridge to Rishton - 6 hours 14 minutes, 10.18 miles, 6 locks