Which way from Skipton?

[oasistoo]

We are currently wintering in Skipton. And just starting to think about this years cruise.

 

We are starting our cruise in the first week of April, we are an experienced couple, lock count is not an issue nor are we on any kind of time schedule. Our boat is 58Ft, i have tried to read as much as possible that has been posted on the board about both our potential routes but up to date impressions would help!

 

We have been in and out via Wigan the last couple of years.

 

We are considering two options to start our summer. The first is the Lancaster so Down Wigan again! We have never turned right at the bottom of Wigan so any info on mooring etc en route to Tarleton would be much appreciated.

 

The second option is out over the Rochdale turning up the Aston and Peak forest.

 

we have been to saltaire a couple of time but just never ventured the rest of the way into leeds.

 

We did some cruising on the Calder & Heble and Aire and Calder many year ago but the memory is going so any advice anyone may have on the trip mooring etc would help.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Tony & Noeline

[Captain Nitromors]

We are currently wintering in Skipton. And just starting to think about this years cruise.

 

We are starting our cruise in the first week of April, we are an experienced couple, lock count is not an issue nor are we on any kind of time schedule. Our boat is 58Ft, i have tried to read as much as possible that has been posted on the board about both our potential routes but up to date impressions would help!

 

We have been in and out via Wigan the last couple of years.

 

We are considering two options to start our summer. The first is the Lancaster so Down Wigan again! We have never turned right at the bottom of Wigan so any info on mooring etc en route to Tarleton would be much appreciated.

 

The second option is out over the Rochdale turning up the Aston and Peak forest.

 

we have been to saltaire a couple of time but just never ventured the rest of the way into leeds.

 

We did some cruising on the Calder & Heble and Aire and Calder many year ago but the memory is going so any advice anyone may have on the trip mooring etc would help.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Tony & Noeline

Dont forget to order the pies in wigan

[MikeV]

we have been to saltaire a couple of time but just never ventured the rest of the way into leeds.

 

We did some cruising on the Calder & Heble and Aire and Calder many year ago but the memory is going so any advice anyone may have on the trip mooring etc would help.

We did a variation on the Two Roses Ring last year and came back via the Calder/Hebble/Aire. We've done the run into Leeds a couple of times and we think it is very pleasant all the way in, although the section from Newlay (13) to Oddy Locks (5) is considered unsafe for overnight mooring. Newlay, Forge and Oddy all have BW lockeepers during the day and they will check you're clear of this section before they leave at the end of the day. We've never seen any threatening activity, and in fact mostly seen families using the towpath, but the BW guys will tell you their experiences!

 

Good moorings are to be found at Saltaire (which you know), above Field Lock (18), around Apperley and Rodley.

 

Clarence Dock in Leeds is a great place to moor and explore the city but does have a 48 hour maximum limit. Obviously from here you are on big rivers so you need to check the flow boards. We were coming the other way and had to wait overnight at Brighouse for the Calder to drop from almost in the red to green. There are a limited number of places to moor down the Aire and Calder although near the locks there is normally somewhere. We stopped overnight at Lemonroyd where there is lots of space. The locks on the Aire and some of the Calder are easy because they are all automated. You just need to press a few buttons.

 

Once up the Calder towards Huddersfield you have the choice of the Huddersfield Narrow or the Rochdale. Going though Standedge Tunnel is amazing, although it is a tough canal (shallow and with locks that need maintenance) and you will almost certainly require assistance from BW unless they've done major improvements over this winter. The Rochdale, as far as the Littleborough, is also very interesting and has spectacular scenery, but we chickened out at the summit and have not done the Rochdale side. All the boaters we met who came over from Manchester had tales of woe about frequent visits down the weedhatch.

 

Whichever way you go, enjoy your trip!

[PeterScott]

The first [option] is the Lancaster so Down Wigan again! We have never turned right at the bottom of Wigan so any info on mooring etc en route to Tarleton would be much appreciated.

Booking the Ribble Link can be troublesome. Here is the 2009 schedule from BW - as you see there are some gaps of almost a month (23 June to 20 July) between possible UP (Tarleton to Preston) passages, and you'll need to fit in a suitable DOWN passage too. BW published the 2009 schedule at the end of January 2009, so best to ring Wigan office to work out what they intend this year. We travelled UP on Thursday and DOWN the next Monday - which is about the minimum possible time on the Lancaster to take in Tewitfield and Glasson. In another thread I mentioned the two hours at full revvs on the passage in both directions - against the tide almost all the way - all good fun. And the Lancaster certainly is worth the journey - even better if you can spend longer. We met one chap who had been booked back on the last DOWN trip in 2008 - which was cancelled because of poor weather, so he had to spend the winter on the Lancaster: OK if you're exceedingly flexible about these things :-)

[kerching]

Dont forget to order the pies in wigan

 

No need to order. They have plenty on standby.

[JohnEW2912]

There are plenty of excellent mooring options west of Wigan. You can moor safely in Wigan itself at the nottom of the flight next to the junction with the Leigh branch or outside the BW office. After that you're better getting out of Wigan but anywhere from Gathurst onwards is fine. Indeed the section from Gathurst to Parbold is as nice a section of canal as there is anywhere. Also anywhere along there is good if you need to leave the boat as the Wigan to Southport railway line runs very close and there are regular stations.

 

The Rufford branch up to Tarleton has a few isolated mooring spots as well. These days I would not want to miss carrying along the main line though and going into Albert Dock in Liverpool. Getting into the city was a two day affair last year but that may change when they announce the 2010 rules.

[RichardH]

There are plenty of excellent mooring options west of Wigan. You can moor safely in Wigan itself at the nottom of the flight next to the junction with the Leigh branch or outside the BW office. After that you're better getting out of Wigan but anywhere from Gathurst onwards is fine. Indeed the section from Gathurst to Parbold is as nice a section of canal as there is anywhere. Also anywhere along there is good if you need to leave the boat as the Wigan to Southport railway line runs very close and there are regular stations.

 

The Rufford branch up to Tarleton has a few isolated mooring spots as well. These days I would not want to miss carrying along the main line though and going into Albert Dock in Liverpool. Getting into the city was a two day affair last year but that may change when they announce the 2010 rules.

 

I gather for 2010 that the compulsory overnight in Eldonian is to be removed and that passages will be every other day per direction which on balance makes a great deal of sense.

 

Tarleton is definately worth the trip, if only for the awesome deli.

[CanalWalker]

If you are going as far as Burscough I would also recommend going to Liverpool, its well worth the trip and doesnt take long to get there.

[GRPCruiserman]

My favourite mooring on this stretch is on the lock mooring for the bottom (disused) of the two small Appley Bridge locks.

 

You go down the (BIG) in-use lock then about 100 yards on your right (offside) you'll see it by the bottom disused lock.

 

It is so quiet and peaceful (except for the odd train which are pretty quiet and finish before you go to sleep) and you get a lovely view across the valley with the solitude of being on the offside.

 

You also feel rather wierd being moored on a lock mooring as you can't normally do this overnight, and especially as the lock isn't usable; an on-foot exploration of the often-empty pound is essential.

 

Parbold is also good (shops, chippy, etc), and just before you get to the top of th Rufford flight is good too (permanent moorings really but BW never seemed to mind if you go on an empty one near the swing bridge). There used to be a hidden shower which was a cracker behind the sanitary station but last time I was there they'd closed it (good shower further down the Rufford arm though, between Rufford and Tarleton).

 

Rufford is a good place to moor, but wait until you are after the trees as it's much quieter and prettier. Tarleton itself is a good mooring spot but a bit noisy during the day as it's next to an industrial estate but all goes quiet after 6 and there are some really good shops a very short walk away. For extended leaving of the boat the boatyard is wonderful; a real traditional, old fashioned boatyard (but with electric now!!) and great, friendly, VERY knowledgable people.

 

If you are doing the 'Link' and have a flat bottomed boat, I'd recomend an overnight at Hesketh Bank boatyard on the tidal river. You dry out and are awoken when the tide comes in in the middle of the night as you lift off the ground on the pontoon; but it saves the hard push on an early (tidal wise) start from Tarleton and heed the advice you are given by Harry at the yardl he DOES know everything there is to be known about the river and also you may have some fun convincing BW what you want to do; and make sure you can handle your boat well as getting in to the pontoons' inside can be tricky. They charge a nightly rate but it is very small. It is a lovely and very interesting place to stay and quite unique.

 

Don't worry about being 'stuck' on The Lancaster; I used to keep my boat on there and come off each year for holidays etc; and always went back. In my view it is the most beautiful canal in this area; and there are many safe places to leave your boat unattended for the odd week; in fact it's easier to say where not to leave it. You'd get a semi-prermenant mooring somewhere on there for the winter with no problems.

 

Glasson Dock is a must if you visit The Lancaster. Yes the locks are hard work but it's the best cul-de-sac I know of on the canal system up here; very interesting with loads of history and interest for all. Also Tewitfield locks and the Northern Reaches are a good walk up from the current head of navigation, but stay at the picnic area just down from the top; it's much quieter than the very top.

 

En route up the Lancaster; 'Old Nells' at Billsborrow is a good place to leave your boat for the week; handy for the motorway etc, but you must visit Garstang, Galgate, Lancaster, Hest Bank, and stay a night in the eerie Capernwray arm and savour the errie echos of birds sqarking around the old quarry in the silence.

 

Have fun, it's well worth the beauocracy and hassle of getting up 'The Link'.

[oasistoo]

Thanks for your replies the die is cast we have our passage booked for the Ribble link So down Wigan again (anyone fancy a days lockwheeling!)

 

We will probably go to Liverpool on our way back down before heading off to meet up with friends at Fradley