Blackburn

 

We pulled pins from our mooring at Hapton at 07.55 and after a short cruise we came across these kids that were doing a school project and wanted a Selfie with any item from the canal . Needless to say we stopped mid stream and became that item .Only to pleased to help….

Today we will go through Blackburn which is another place we have been told not to stop in as it’s Bandit country . To be honest I’m getting a bit pissed off fed up with not being able to stop in certain towns. These towns must have such a lot to offer to passing boaters and how much would it take to make a few safe and secure moorings to allow boaters to stop, moor up and visit these towns .

As we pass between Burnley and Blackburn we are still experiencing some great views of the countryside.

At last we have made it to the half way point of the Leeds and Liverpool canal . Just another 64 miles to go .

As we start to head in to Blackburn we passed the massive Imperial Mill which was a major employer in the town . In 1910 there were 87,377 looms in the town of Blackburn which were operated by 42,000 textile workers with many of them being children as young as twelve.

Passing Graham Brown’s and that’s a good idea for an old telephone box .. or maybe not.

Now this is something that beggar's belief . All along the canal through Blackburn there are seats like this one . How lovely they look you might think , but no it’s not . As you can see the local Scroates have cut through the wire to get to the rocks which the seats are made of . According to a couple of locals we spoke to they then stone the passing boaters with the rocks provided . Not only that ,but they can sit in comfort as they do so ….UNBELIVABLE !!!

Passing through Blackburn and we had a flight of 6 locks to do . As you can see like many locks on the canal system they need a bit of TLC from Canal and River Trust and with this one needing some urgent attention to the cill

Probably the best part of Blackburn for boaters was as we got to the services at lock 56.

The bottom gates on lock 56 need to be wound open using this handle as they are so close to the road bridge that passes over the canal.

We then passed Ewood park the home of Blackburn Rovers. Yet again it’s just the same as Burnley ,there was not a single boat moored anywhere through Blackburn . Speaking to some friendly locals as we passed down the locks they said that Blackburn was a good place and they would welcome passing boaters . Come on Canal and River Trust maybe you should get together with Blackburn council and give boaters some safe and secure moorings in Blackburn.

Cruising through the outskirts of blackburn we passed this which is handy for us located at the bottom of someone’s garden next to the canal. We can make a phone call , buy stamps and post a letter .

After an enjoyable 8 hour cruise we reached  Riley Green where I said that I would treat Carolyn out to a slap up meal . But how was I to know that a couple of weeks before we got there the Pub had burnt down.

After passing the burnt out pub we moored at the visitor moorings on the other side of the bridge . As you can see the Visitor moorings leave a lot to be desired , but they will do us for tonight before we move on in the morning.

                                                                                                                      Happy Days