Friday 4th October

Leaving Fettlers Wharf Marina at Rufford

The start of our weekend

Approaching locks on the Rufford branch

Thomas enjoying the cruise

Thomas making his way to the locks

Joining the Leeds Liverpool Canal

Old cottages at the Rufford Branch top lock

Looking back at the Rufford branch junction

Thomas in a world of his own

Moored boats and housing

3 doomed boats

Cloudy as we head towards Parbold

View towards Parbold Hill

More moored boats

The windmill at Parbold

A closer look at the windmill at Parbold

Looking back

Lots of bluebells by the canal

Heading towards Appley Bridge

Appley locks (No.91)

Entering Appley locks

Easy does it

Me having a breather

Old stone cottages at Appley Bridge

Ranicar's swing bridge (Bridge 44)

Keep hold! Thomas enjoying the cruise

Mooring at Gathurst

'Elysium' moored at Gathurst

Thomas poses for a photo while we wait for the kettle

'Elysium', our treat for the weekend

Look at the determination

Approaching Crooke village

Boats moored at Crooke village

'Falmari' at the Crooke Hall Inn

Enjoying the views at Crooke

Enjoying the views at Crooke

New and old housing at Standish Lower Ground

Martland Mill Bridge (Bridge 49)

Approaching the JJB Stadium

Another view of the JJB Stadium

Thomas and Richard

Seven Stars Bridge (Bridge 50)

Approaching Wigan Pier

Old crane and boat at Wigan Pier

The Orwell at the Pier

Trencherfield Mill in Wigan

That's me opening the locks

Me again ;)

End of day one, 5pm

Start of Day 2, the Wigan flight

Having a breather

Thomas putting his back into it

An old bridge dated 1816

Is it just me doing the work?

My daughter Judith joined us for the last few locks

End of day 2, moored at Top Lock

The Kirkless Hall Inn

Richard, our generous host