Summer Cruise 2017 ❶⓿

Summer Cruise 2017 (10)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Five go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL (MIA) and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.

 
Dover Lock Inn to Crabtree Swing Bridge

Date:  30/07/2017

Overnight the weather was cold and provided the odd shower of rain. 

Morning: 9:15 start from Dover Lock and a steady plod along the Bridgewater Canal. The sky was overcast and as wel left a rainbow arched over the canal. However, it was a good omen and we had little in the way of rain.We soon passed the bottom of the Wigan Flight and Turned onto the Leeds Liverpool. Soon we were into Wigan and passing the Wigan Pier which is a well known book title, for fans of George Orwell.

Afternoon:  Stopped for lunch at Appley Lock. Late in the afternoon we passed the Rufford Branch Canal which leads to the Lancaster Canal. Might explore the Rufford branch on the way back. Mid afternoon we passed through Dean Lock our last lock of the day. Late afternoon the rain arrived in occasional sharp downpours.

Evening: Moored up for the night just after Crabtree Swing Bridge

Wildlife:  Huge Mirror Carp and a very large Pike.

Birds:House Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Grey Lag Goose, Canada Goose, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Arctic Tern,  Swallow, House Martin and Swift. Pick of the day was a Kingfisher which landed on the top of the front cratch while we were moving. It had a tiny fish that it gave a few sideways whacks before flying off.

Butterflies:Meadow Brown, Small White and Peacock.

Bats: Pipistrelle, Daubentons,

Damselfly: Common Blue Damselfly.

Today's Total:

Miles: 15.8
Locks: 8
Swing / Lift Bridges: 5
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours:10.8

Accumulated Total:  

Miles: 2870.5
Locks: 1813
Swing / Lift Bridges: 371
Tunnels: 71
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3872.9