Turning onto the Rufford Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal we started to work through the wide locks that would take us to the terminus of the canal at Tarleton and the sea lock that would take us onto the tidal River Douglas and River Ribble to access the Ribble Link at Savick Brook to join the Lancaster Canal.
All the locks along the Rufford branch seem have their differences and are slow going for a single boat crew. Old fashioned 'handcuff' screw anti-vandal locks are fitted to most of the paddles and are not the usual 'spring-open' type, being time consuming to open and close. There are even some very old fashioned wooden lever paddles that are pulled up with a large handle to open.
Nearing Tarleton the tow-path disappears and the banks are taken over with weed and some of this promptly wound itself around the propeller slowing it down as efficiently as any plastic bag or rope............ it took ten minutes down the weed-hatch to clear that little lot.
Three swing bridges need to be operated before Tarleton and then some good 48-hour visitor mooring are to be found, principally used for those crossing the River Ribble.
Harry, the Tarleton lock keeper visited us in the afternoon and gave us a detailed briefing for our crossing complete with a book of photographs of what landmarks to note. Very thorough of him..............and very helpful.
Our date with the morning tide at the lock was 9.30am the following morning. Two steel narrowboats went first and some ten minutes later we entered the lock in company with a fibre-glass cruiser.
Following instructions to keep to the left and 'go for it' as we entered the strong incoming tide. This is sound advice as if you just nudge the bow into the stream it is possible that you would be turned inland by the current rushing into the River Douglas.
Our companion fibre-glass cruiser soon outstripped us against the oncoming tide and started to pull ahead. Most cruisers will show a clean pair of heels to a narrowboat because of their light weight and he soon disappeared from view. After a couple miles struggling against the tide with 2300 revs on the dial I really did not want to push our 38hp Beta Marine engine much further as it becomes a little uncomfortable after that.
A large sea-going vessel came from behind and slowly overtook us. I cast a worried eye on the engine temperature gauge that was way, way over to the 'right' of it's normal position and was touching some 100 degrees. On the return trip we tried the trick of opening the galley hot water tap occasionally to reduce the engine temperature - it really does work!! I could see the British Aerospace airfield of Wharton on the horizon and spotted the large hangars that Harry the lock-keeper had advised we steer to locate the all important 'Astland Lamp' navigational perch.
Astland lamp slightly on our starboard bow we started to curve around it and into the River Ribble. As the Ribble turns east inland I hoped that slack water on the turning tide would help our progress - it did and the banks seemed to be going past at a respectable rate. It is a difficult 'call' to balance between thrashing the engine into temperature ranges that could cause problems and making progress before the lack of water on the 'Seagate' at Savick would mean a divert to Preston Lock.
We could see a steady clear 'green' light at Savick ( meaning it was O.K to enter) and started to be relieved that all would be O.K. A few minutes later and our hopes were dashed as Canal and River Trust's 'Andrew' rang us on the mobile and gave us the bad news that the lock was now inoperable because of the dropping water level.
We were instructed to divert to Preston dock a couple of miles further on and that they had been informed. Tide had really turned against us now and we progressed slowly towards the dock which is unseen from Savick. We eventually sighted the entrance and came into the dock hugging the south wall as the north wall is silted as the 'Skipper's Guide' had mentioned.
Entering the massive entrance lock a road bridge parted for us and we roped onto the lock wall chains to ascend gently to marina level and then turn left moor at the visitor moorings............phew !!! We will have another 'go' tomorrow !!!!!
All the locks along the Rufford branch seem have their differences and are slow going for a single boat crew. Old fashioned 'handcuff' screw anti-vandal locks are fitted to most of the paddles and are not the usual 'spring-open' type, being time consuming to open and close. There are even some very old fashioned wooden lever paddles that are pulled up with a large handle to open.
Nearing Tarleton the tow-path disappears and the banks are taken over with weed and some of this promptly wound itself around the propeller slowing it down as efficiently as any plastic bag or rope............ it took ten minutes down the weed-hatch to clear that little lot.
 |
| Last stretch towards Tarleton has no tow path. |
 |
| Plenty of weed around the propeller |
Three swing bridges need to be operated before Tarleton and then some good 48-hour visitor mooring are to be found, principally used for those crossing the River Ribble.
Harry, the Tarleton lock keeper visited us in the afternoon and gave us a detailed briefing for our crossing complete with a book of photographs of what landmarks to note. Very thorough of him..............and very helpful.
Our date with the morning tide at the lock was 9.30am the following morning. Two steel narrowboats went first and some ten minutes later we entered the lock in company with a fibre-glass cruiser.
 |
| Waiting for Tarleton Lock to enter the River Douglas |
Following instructions to keep to the left and 'go for it' as we entered the strong incoming tide. This is sound advice as if you just nudge the bow into the stream it is possible that you would be turned inland by the current rushing into the River Douglas.
Our companion fibre-glass cruiser soon outstripped us against the oncoming tide and started to pull ahead. Most cruisers will show a clean pair of heels to a narrowboat because of their light weight and he soon disappeared from view. After a couple miles struggling against the tide with 2300 revs on the dial I really did not want to push our 38hp Beta Marine engine much further as it becomes a little uncomfortable after that.
 |
| Boat yard on the River Douglas |
A large sea-going vessel came from behind and slowly overtook us. I cast a worried eye on the engine temperature gauge that was way, way over to the 'right' of it's normal position and was touching some 100 degrees. On the return trip we tried the trick of opening the galley hot water tap occasionally to reduce the engine temperature - it really does work!! I could see the British Aerospace airfield of Wharton on the horizon and spotted the large hangars that Harry the lock-keeper had advised we steer to locate the all important 'Astland Lamp' navigational perch.
 |
| Looking to the Ribble Estuary as we turn into the River Ribble |
 |
| Rounding the Astland lamp into the River Ribble |
Astland lamp slightly on our starboard bow we started to curve around it and into the River Ribble. As the Ribble turns east inland I hoped that slack water on the turning tide would help our progress - it did and the banks seemed to be going past at a respectable rate. It is a difficult 'call' to balance between thrashing the engine into temperature ranges that could cause problems and making progress before the lack of water on the 'Seagate' at Savick would mean a divert to Preston Lock.
 |
| Looking back towards the Ribble estuary.........BaE Wharton on skyline (right) |
We could see a steady clear 'green' light at Savick ( meaning it was O.K to enter) and started to be relieved that all would be O.K. A few minutes later and our hopes were dashed as Canal and River Trust's 'Andrew' rang us on the mobile and gave us the bad news that the lock was now inoperable because of the dropping water level.
We were instructed to divert to Preston dock a couple of miles further on and that they had been informed. Tide had really turned against us now and we progressed slowly towards the dock which is unseen from Savick. We eventually sighted the entrance and came into the dock hugging the south wall as the north wall is silted as the 'Skipper's Guide' had mentioned.
 |
| Entering Preston dock |
Entering the massive entrance lock a road bridge parted for us and we roped onto the lock wall chains to ascend gently to marina level and then turn left moor at the visitor moorings............phew !!! We will have another 'go' tomorrow !!!!!
 |
| Safe and sound - in Preston Dock |
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