Through Blackburn 15 May 2012

"The Top Lock" Pub at Johnson's Hilllock

After a couple of days at the top of Johnson's Hilltop it was again time to move on as the only moorings are 48 hours. Today my journey takes me through Blackburn and 6 locks. The thing about The Leeds and Liverpool Canal at this stage is the big contrast between cruising through quite large urban spalls and stunning countryside.

Entering BlackburnEwood Park home of Blackburn Football ClubLeaking Lock Gates!! Hardly worth opening paddles.

Rubbish stuck in the paddle gate

Unfortunately the locks in Blackburn  are not the greatest caused mainly by rubbish and vandalism. Many of the locks have paddles that do not work, this results in having to wait for ages for the locks to fill with water. Others leak so badly that it is difficult to empty them as the water comes in nearly as fast as it goes out!!

Once through Blackburn it does not take long before going through nice countryside again. I spent a couple of night in the village of Rishton a very typical Lancashire village with a number of very good shops and an excellent Fish and Chip Shop.

Yesterday I moved to Hapton another typical Lancashire village. Hapton is just outside Burnley and now I have to decide if to move later today or leave it until Thursday. Tomorrow the canal is closed as The Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles are taking a trip through Burnley on the Canal.

I am moving fairly quickly at present for me, the reason being that the plan is to slow down to a snail's pace again once I have cleared all these towns and hit the Yorkshire countryside.