Wigan

Here I am Rune

Distance 7.8 miles

Total 1140 Locks 62 Tunnels

Running total mileage 1619.6miles

As intended we have reached the suggested mooring just beyond Seven Stars Railway bridge, currently moored at the rear of the local B&Q. Slightly later start than perhaps intended, about 11.00am but we were here and moored by 2.30pm so it wasn’t exactly a long day, although it meant we had lunch a bit later than normal. Through the first locks that we’ve had to work ourselves since Dutton stop lock on the Trent and Mersey canal, and now we are back onto the broad locks. Today’s effort was two locks up and then two locks back down again but it gets our hand in again for locking. Next time we pass through Wigan we will have the Wigan flight to do (23 broad locks) so it’ll be a bit like the Hatton flight. Where we are currently moored will be a good starting place provided that it turns out to be a good mooring.

As promised we passed the ‘famous’ Wigan Pier so have attached the compulsory photos, it is now called ‘The Orwell’ presumably to honour the author of Road to Wigan Pier.

Tomorrow on to Spencer's Swing bridge number 36 or I may stretch it a bit further to Ring o bells bridge since then we will be able to get rid of the rubbish that has built up since we were on the Bridgewater Canal (not many service points).

Approaching Wigan Pier.....

.....passing Wigan Pier........

......and looking back at it!