Kennet Leaving Liverpool

Thursday 16th August the Kennet left Liverpool after spending time in Salthouse Dock. Having nothing better to do I went down to take some photos. Kennet was due through the locks at 9am but I was late so only caught up with them as they were leaving the lock into Princes Dock. The weather wasn't great, not quite raining but threatening to. 

Kennet in Princes Dock

Kennet in Princes Dock

With Kennet on its way to Stanley Dock I went ahead by bike to get photos from the Bascule Bridge. As i was waiting the rain started but it wasnt cold and it was still better than being in work. Kennet came and passed underneath the bridge and into Stanley Dock, then under the road to the locks. I followed on my bike.

Kennet in Salisbury Dock

Kennet at the bottom lock.

Kennet leaving the bottom lock

Kennet

Kennet under the railway

Kennet in the sunshine

Kennet at the top lock

Kennet leaving the locks

I followed the Kennet up the locks to the main line of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. As it passed under the railway line the sun came out. The Kennet was heading off to Burscough and I headed back home.

Pauline

Burscough Wharf Canal Heritage Week 2012

Kennet

Today I went to Burscough to see the newly refurbished Kennet having its re-dedication. The weather was not too bad considering the week we have had. As I parked up I could hear music wafting along the canal. 

I haven't been to Burscough for a while, Southport FC haven't been in the same league as Burscough FC for a few seasons now. While the football club has gone downhill the rest of the town seems to be doing okay. The Waterfront pub is now the Packet House, going back to almost its original name. Hopefully the pub will have a better reputation than it used to have. 

Canal Horse

I was a bit early so I walked along the towpath to the Rufford Branch. The towpath is pretty bad on this stretch and the recent wet weather. It would be a good stretch for BW or the council to improve. It is a popular stretch and links Burscough to the Ship Inn at Lathom. As I got the junction bridge I met a group of cyclists. They were heading from Wigan to Southport. It is always nice to see cyclists using the canal and this group was certainly a diverse one; it included a nurse, Captain America, Wally (from Where's Wally) and Santa Claus. 

While I was at the junction I tried a 360 degree panoramic photograph. Here is the result:

http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=59f1cec3-fb08-4c88-9d3a-ca99a6c6ae1b

On the way back to the wharf the cyclists passed me, Santa bringing up the rear and not looking enthusiastic.

Back at the Wharf the Mayor of West Lancashire was just starting his speech. There was a good crowd on the towpath by the wharf. Unfortunately another larger group of cyclists came along and had to detour around us.  The rededication of the Kennet involved breaking a bottle of beer on its bow. The sight of this  brought a tear to the eye of many a bearded man on the towpath. The mayor got a round of applause rather than an ASBO for this act of vandalism.

Rededication of the Kennet

With the ceremony done the Wigan Ukulele Club started up again, no Stairway to Heaven but they did do some classic tunes.

Wigan Ukulele Club

Its good to see the Kennet looking so smart and getting some attention. The Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society and the Friends of Kennet both do a great deal of good work promoting the canal and educating people about our heritage. 

Burscough Wharf

On the way back I stopped off and took a new photo of the former Scarisbrick Arms, now called the Gastro bar and grill. Updating the pub guide on my site I noticed that it had been hacked by Israeli porn sites. Luckily not many people look at those pages so I doubt anyone noticed the 800 comments about a pub in Netherton that had more to do with anatomical improvement than canal side drinking.

Burscough Canal Heritage Week

Today was the last day of the Burscough Canal Heritage Week. Kennet, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Short Boat was visiting Burscough, the nearest it has been to Liverpool for a while. So I thought I had better make the effort to get up there and take some photographs.

Kennet at Burscough Bridge

The towpath was busy and there were lots of boats moored at Burscough. I was pleased to see Ribble had joined Kennet and Ambush. The first time I have seen two river class barges in the same place at the same time. Kennet and Ribble are Short Boats, Ambush is a Long Boat. All three are Wide Boats. Ambush used to work for Ainscough Mill in Burscough. All three boats were empty and sit very high out of the water. When full they would swim through the water like whales with only a few inches of boat above the waterline. Kennet has a very snug looking cabin at the front which is quite spacious compared to the Narrow Boats. You would still have to be good friends to share it though. 

Ambush at Burscough

 We walked along the canal to the top lock of the Rufford Branch. On the way we passed a hairy caterpillar crossing the towpath at some speed. It was hot and humid today and got hotter as the day went on. 

Creepy Crawly

Back at Burscough Wharf we had an ice cream and I took some photographs from the bridge. I am very impressed with the redevelopment of the old canal depot. It has been empty for years but now it is full of life. There are shops and a couple of bars and cafes. It is a definite improvement and a big plus for both the canal and the town. I notice that the Waterfront pub nearby is closed and for sale. 

Burscough Wharf

Burscough Wharf

In other news towpathtreks now has a twitter account @towpathtreks for those who do that sort of thing. If anyone has any good suggestions for canal related people or places to follow on Twitter do let me know. And you can still become a fan of towpathtreks on facebook