The bends on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Thursday, 06 August 2009 19:50

The prettiest bit so far!

With only the ducks to disturb us we spent a quiet night. The ducks seem to love pecking at the hull, we must have some tasty algae at the waterline! A number of boats passed us, going both ways, before we set off. Things are definitely much busier this side of Burnley!

Just before Old Hall Bridge, the Parish Church of St Peter, at East Marton, is well hidden by the trees. The Vicar has the presence of mind to advertise the morning service though!

Church in the woods

We spotted this interesting boat moored at East Marton. Swallows Nest is a new boat, but it is based on a Liverpool Short Boat, apparently designed by Pennine Cruisers. We think it is rather “different” and quite like it!

Swallows Nest

As we approached Double Arched Bridge (161) we heard what sounded like a steam engine – strange, there is no railway here!

Double Arched Bridge

Steam Boat "Whistle Down the Wind" had just passed underneath – hence the whistle! They had to lower the chimney as they passed us due to the overhanging trees and then chugged away around the corner.

SB Whistle Down the Wind

We moored up by Williamson Bridge, so that I could pop to the shop/café for milk. The 7 day moorings are not well looked after and very overgrown, however we were able to get into the water point. John topped her up whilst I walked over the bridge into what felt like a farm yard – and a couple of cottages. Perhaps the permanent moorers on the off side do not like visiting boats and so these VMs are neglected.

LSB Liverpool moored opposite the water point

Back into the open countryside we had spectacular views of the Yorkshire Dales off to our right. The canal now continues a tortured route around  Langber TV Aerial and across Kelds Well Syke. To our right we could see the canal and Newton Bridge as it snaked around again.

View towards Yorkshire Dales

Canal on other side of Kelds Well

Rope roller on corner to enable horses to pull barges around

This section is a favourite mooring spot because of the spectacular views and we thought about stopping for a while! However we did not, as we wanted to get through Bank Newton Locks.

We finally passed under Newton Bridge

When we arrived at Bank Newton, the Hotel Boats "Me and My" and "Shadow" (they had passed us when we moored briefly for lunch) were waiting for a wide boat to come up. We waited for our turn as they went down and another couple of boats came up. John took Epiphany in and then I took over in the next lock!

Lock 40 with the parapet of Plantation Lock Bridge

The area around Lock 37 is picturesque, despite the BW boat!

Lock 37

The house above the lock is lovely

In Lock 36, the bottom lock, John had a natter with the Lock Keeper who had been helping boats through and he showed John a photo of Newlay lock nearer Leeds where there is a stoppage (since fixed - Ed.)

Lock Keeper and John

As we went through the Lock Keeper suggested we moor at the end of the permanent moorings below the lock, but first we passed the lock cottage.

Lock Cottage, built in 1791

We moored behind Swallows Nest, a mooring with a view

There is no internet signal so John is a little fed up. Hey – it gives him a chance to catch up on a few things like paperwork (his favourite – not!) and filing (also not a favourite!). Never mind there is a TV signal for this evening.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Bridge 159 to Bank Newton Bottom Lock – 4 Hours 13 minutes, 3.95 miles 6 locks