Back Where We Started

After spending a few weeks away from our usual stomping ground we finally returned to our 'base' where we will stay for a couple of weeks, maybe... After travelling every day for over two weeks during our holiday it was hard to be in one place for so long (a whole fortnight) so it was with relief that we set off for Crooke. It started off rather sunny but we were heading towards dark clouds in the distance. We made it to the swing bridge at Plank Lane just as the heavens opened. Deciding to sit it out we had a cup of tea, then lunch, then decided that actually it wasn't going to stop anytime soon and got the waterproofs out. We emptied the waste tank at the sanitary station just through the bridge before heading towards Wigan and the first of the six locks to be negotiated before arriving at Crooke Village. It kept raining. I went inside (well there's no point us both getting wet). Then it was time for me to venture out to help with the locks and thankfully the rain eased. We are a good team and make light work of the locks, sailing into the village as the sky cleared and the sun made another brief appearance for what ended up being a pleasant evening.

Little fluffy clouds

Astley colliery - now a museum

Water lilies lined the banks along the Bridgewater Canal

Heading into industrial Leigh

This mill is currently being renovated, part of me is sad, it is fantastic and photogenic in its dereliction. Better that it be restored and put back into use however.

This boat passed us in Boothstown a few weeks back and is now back at Lorenz boatyard in Leigh

The Canada geese have arrived en mass....

Dover Lock, passing the young chap who set up the Canalworld Discussion Forum in his fabulous steamer!

Winter Hill in the far distance

An unusual site up north! A working boat moored at the flashes in between Leigh and Wigan

'Bath' is a Grand Union Canal Carrying Co boat built by Harland and Wolff in 1936

Heading away from Wigan and the last of the downpours

Heading towards Crooke and the sun has come out!

Im the last lock of the day in the early evening sunshine this little yellow wagtail cheered us up dancing around the lock gates.