Friday 10 May 2019 Day 14: Slattocks to Littleborough

Feeling pretty relieved and relaxed after our adventures of the previous two days and knowing the the next no stopping zone, Rochdale would only take a couple of hours to get through we didn't depart our mooring until 9.40am. Under an overcast sky we headed off through some pleasant countryside

Approaching our first lock of the day, no.53

One of the biggest challenges facing the engineers involved in the re-opening of the Rochdale Canal was to get under the M62 highway. Luckily a small deviation from the canals original course allowed the engineers to use an existing farm track underpass (where the cows go now isn't addressed in the guide book).

A much older bridge

And then we were in Rochdale, where the flavour of the canal took a turn for the worse and basically set the tone for our journey through Rochdale: paddles not working, gates refusing to open, low water, continually sliding and scraping over junk that the lovely people of Rochdale have discarded in their canal.

Thankfully Mike, gentleman that he is, took the far side of the lock, there is no way I could have fitted through that gap, he barely did.

Looking pretty, but we bumped and scraped and slithered our way through the park in Rochdale

Lock 49, with Crossfields, an old Mill building in the background. What a nightmare this lock was.
Firstly we couldn't shut one of the bottom gates. Lawrence down in the depths of the lock, from the back A.Beatha dug around with the barge pole trying to find the cause of the obstruction but to no avail. After reopening and shutting a few times we still couldn't close it completely. L tried backing into it, still no joy. In the end we opened both the top gate paddles hoping the force of the water would shut the gates. Progess at last, the force of the water rushing in pushed the gates nearly shut and as the amount of water coming into the lock was greater than the amount pouring out the bottom A.Beatha slowly rose.  And then, just to make certain that this lock was the most benighted we have come to, so far on this journey, Tim was winding down the top gate mechanism on his side when  in mid turn, the whole winding rack slid into the water and disappeared from sight and poor Tim was left windlass in hand gaping down into the water wondering what had just happened.

This is only a small sample of the rubbish in and along the banks of the canal

Nearly through Rochdale, our first swingbridge of the day

Mike holding bridge open as A. Beatha comes through.

Not long after, Lawrence lost all steering and about 10 minutes later we came to rest askew across the canal.

It was time to take a foray down the weed hatch again, this time with Tim on point duty.

Tim inspects the remnants, looking for a label, of what was once a shirt. Just one of a conglomeration of things rapped fast around the propeller and shaft.

Adding it to our already substantial weed hatch collection. 35mins later we got underway again.

Death of a shopping trolley - at least you can see this one

Yay, we've left Rochdale behind. The canal guide advocates not stopping in Rochdale but instead catching the train back from Littleborough to explore this history of Rochdale! That sums up the canal through Rochdale in a nutshell.

But as I said we have left Rochdale behind, and views are improving

A glimpe of the moors

A former mill, now apartments, stands beside

Clegg Hall, completed in 1618 by one Theophilus Asheton.

more pleasant countryside views

Cottages at Smith Bridge swingbridge where we moored up at 1.45pm  (on the bridge moorings - we are getting very bolshie on this canal) to have a yummy lasagne and salad lunch whipped up by Tim. Had a long chat to the lady in the pic (matching shoes, hat and eyeshadow) she an another couple of locals have never seen the lift bridge in operation before!

Having got caught in a downpour we take shelter, along with a couple of walkers under a bridge.

As we pulled into Littleborough at 3.30pm the rain stopped and the sun came out

View across the canal

We took a walk around Littleborough, and then Tim and Mike dragged us to the co-op for a re-provision under their supervision. I think they are afraid L and I might starve while they are away!

Near our mooring are these flower pot boats. I have always said the Tammie Norrie would look fantastic as a garden planter :)

Okay, can anyone tell me what type of goose the Canadian goose is seeing off?

Mike chose the restaurant for our last night, and a good choice it was too. The Waterside Inn, my steak was to die for and it came with a decent amount and variety of vegies :)

7 miles, 5 locks, 2 lift bridges, 5 hours