Pie Eater

New CaRT notice today - delayed again for various reasons and a further update on Friday 22nd September. The lock will not be repaired in time for any scheduled Ribble Link passages.

The bypass water pumps were being put in place this morning (Saturday) so it looks like the actual repair work will be starting soon. The dams, security fencing and safety fencing etc were done during the week.

What is H & M?

I have been watching "the narrow boat that James built" on you tube.

From CaRT stoppage notice - Teams investigating with an update due on Friday.

I was cycling up the flight this morning and stopped to assist a narrowboat in lock 69 coming down the flight. With help from others passers by it took 6 of us to open one top gate to get the boat in the lock. With all the paddles closed you could see the boat dropping in the lock.

We always preferred to climb the Trent and Mersey canal and go down the Shropshire Union canal. Are you aware that the Aylesbury Canal Society have a complete list of launderettes which is updated regularly.

Sold notice on the board when I went past this morning.

Lymm Cruising Club are sailing to Castlefield for the weekend and the Bridgewater Canal Company usually reserve some moorings for the club. In the past they have used the "tuning fork" moorings but I am not sure what is planned for this weekend.

I think that the weed collecting machine has been out of action due to nesting birds.

I still remember asking my reluctant wife to hold the tiller for a minute and then jumping off the boat at a bridge and leaving her to steer with me coaching her from the towpath. She soon got used to it and for years we shared the steering including the locks until she was quite happy for me to do all the locks while she steered.

Where can I find the petition?

Have a look at the Boat Time vlog. They have a guinea pig or a rabbit.

100310E Willeymoor lock, Llangollen Canal

100308E Grindley Brook staircase on Llangollen Canal

It is rare to see boats moored in the area shown in the photo as you need to climb up to get off your boat. As rgreg says the pontoon is used but there is only room for 2 smaller narrowboats and canoeists. The drydock pound is the best pound but lots of the mooring rings are missing. Other towns have directions to the town etc on notice boards but there is nothing in Wigan and the Council and CaRT don't seem to be interested.

I think that whoever buys it will remove the fencing and invest in cctv cameras. The towpath is usually busy with walkers, joggers, cyclists, dog walkers and a few fishermen.

Rose Bridge lock cottage on the Wigan Flight is now for sale. Info from the Wigan Today newspaper.

I cycle up the Wigan Flight every day and boats usually moor either in the dry dock pound or in the Junction pound at the bottom of the flight (on rings opposite the Nice Pak buildings). As ditchcrawler says you are more like to find another boat to share the locks with. Also, if you put your boat details and your intentions on the Wiganflightcrew Facebook page you may find that volunteers may be around to help. (Not guaranteed) I do not advise leaving a solo boat unattended anywhere in that area but you should be ok if you are on board. Don't set off up the flight too late especially in good weather as some of the locks are used as swimming pools during the school holidays which have just started.

Cheers Ian

Just received confirmation from CaRT that the Wigan Flight reopens tomorrow(Saturday) . The flight is open between 8.00am and 4.00pm every day but the last entry to the flight is at 12noon.I Wiganflightcrew is on Facebook and volunteers are sometimes available but are not guaranteed.

It was issued on the 16th July and updated with closure details on the 19th July. The next update is due on the 28th July. Full details are on the CaRT website but I cannot do links.

CaRT employees were continuing the clean-up this morning and the sinkhole pound was back in water. More boats have arrived at both ends but there were 5 pounds on the flight empty or nearly empty.

It was getting a bit busier this morning as boats were starting to queue in the junction pound at the bottom lock ready for the flight to open on Saturday. At the top lock there are about 10 boats, some who have been there for weeks. There is still one boat in the middle of the flight after a breakdown.

Contractors will be removing the scaffolding and dams over the next 2 days in preparation for the reopening of the flight on this Saturday 22nd July.