Monday 19/9 before East Marton to top of Barrowford Locks

We had a lazy start to our day. Tim and Mike were let out of the kitchen and sent off for a half hour walk while Lawrence with some help from me (toast) whipped up his speciality, the full Sunday breakfast. Mike and Tim returned from their perambulation along the towpath just as we were dishing up, perfect timing.

We eventually cast off just before 10.00. I had remarked to Tim as we were cruising along yesterday that I hadn't seen or heard any pheasants this trip. 10 minutes after we moored up their calls started. I peered over the stone wall down into the field beside us and counted 8, looked further and saw more - they were everywhere.

Shortly after we set off this morning there was a veritable gaggle of them by the canal edge. Managed to get a pic of the slow coaches as they fled.

More views from the canal

Lawrence would like some gate posts like these

I know it doesn't look it but we had a great day for cruising, mostly sunny, no breeze and good temperature

Looking across at the canal as it cuts a sinuous path along the contour around the hills. We went past that red boat 5 minutes ago

Passing East Marton permanent moorings

Just below the Greenberfield Locks

At the top of the locks, the last we rise through. We are now on the summit of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

At the top we said goodbye to NB Joel with whom we had shared the last two locks. While the two boats bobbled about in the bottom of the locks and as they slowly rose as Mike and I worked them through, NB Joel's single handed skipper gave Lawrence plenty of advice re moorings and what is ahead of us.

Also at the top of the locks was a little shop selling ice creams. Needing no persuasion Lawrence pulled over and we moored up. There was also a water point on hand and I decided it was a good opportunity for a shower and hair wash.

Our canal guide mentions that the canal goes past the Esse factory. The opportunity seemed to good to miss. We went past the factory and Lawrence nosed in to let Tim and me jump off. Lawrence said he would find a mooring further down the canal. I was very pleased to be able to visit the factory to ask a few questions about our stoves operation. We were first passed onto some bloke who couldn't really answer my questions, but he sent for their technical expert and meanwhile showed Tim and me the Esse museum. Katie, you will be pleased to know that I told him about Pivot's after sales service or rather, lack of it. The technical expert duly arrived and was a lovely chap, also named Greg. BUT he knows his stuff and answered all my questions most patiently. He also knew about the problems Aust'n owners of Esse's have had with Pivot. What did surprise him, was that I had come in person and by Narrowboat! When Tim and I left the factory we thought we would have quite a trudge down the canal to find Aqua Life, but there she was, right outside the factory entrance. Lawrence had reversed her a few hundred metres back up the canal and through a narrow bridge hole without a wobble. Now that is finesse.

Why are bridges across canals nearly always on bends

We won't be going throu countryside like this for much longer

The CRT facilities which herald the entrance to the 1640 yard long Foulridge Tunnel.

Nearly through the tunnel

We moored up at 4.45 at the end of the L&L summit pound, at the top of the Barrowford Locks. Tomorrow we start the descent down into Manchester.

The view from our mooring this evening.

Mike and Tim departing on an expedition in Barrowford in search of sustenance

And Lawrence enjoying the last of the evening sun

Lawrence and I sustained ourselves with another of Jean's scones while we awaited the return of the resupply expedition. Thank you Jean.

12 miles, 3 locks, 1 tunnel, 7 hours (inc hair wash & Esse visit)