To Manchester City - but no footballs!

Thursday, 15 October 2009 20:12

The penultimate stretch of the Rochdale Canal

An early morning as we had to meet the BW Operatives at 8.30 at Failsworth Lock (65) - so we left Irk Aqueduct just after 7am! It was barely light, but dawn was breaking as we reached our first lock.

Kay Lane Lock 64

We had a "first" at Grimshaw Lane - a vertical lift bridge.

It is hydraulically operated (the finger has to stay on the button for it to work!)

Carolyn initially gave us a fright as she continued to stand on the bridge as it rose into the air! We held up a fair bit of rush hour traffic including someone's Tesco delivery!

 Paul Balmer kindly joined us as extra crew, once again,  at Failsworth Top Lock

BW "Lockie" James and his colleague were waiting for us, to unlock and see us through the lock. We would next see them at Newton Heath Lock 69 as the lock was leaking. Then again, once in Manchester, 18 locks later!

We continued down the next four locks, passing some industry on the way. Amongst this the autumn colours alleviated the chimneys and factories. The Tannersfield Locks (66 and 67) provided some interest!

Lock 66Avoiding a tree at 67

We had been warned that there was an underwater obstruction on the right after Flash Street Footbridge, but it was also shallow before with dreaded netting just  threatening to be caught by the prop!

The obstruction continued until  Newton Heath Lock but all the signs after Droylesden Bridge (81) were submerged, so BW James resorted to hand signals and shouting to warn us to stay left! They helped us through the leaky lock.

The autumnal trees made the following stretch very pleasant

Shears Lock 71 in distance

Once we arrived at Ten Acres Lock (73) we met Nbs Blake and Trinity coming up and they waited for us below. Unfortunately Gypsy Rover had something around their prop so we towed her out of Ten Acres Lock and into Drunken Bridge Lock.

Slaters Locks and Anthony's Lock dropped us into what felt like and was the centre of Manchester, arriving from the North East. A quick tot up of locks and we had done 14, six more to go!

But you will have to wait for the next blog!