Summer 2015
The dates for the Ribble Link have now been published and in consultation with our friends on NB Talyllyn we have decided to plan for a northbound passage on 3rd June with a backup of 2nd June. This means Talyllyn will be leaving Market Drayton earlier than planned and will be moored in the Anderton area for a while. So the plan is now to meet up with them between Anderton and Preston Brook and travel up to Preston together.
Northward jouney now replaned via the Shropshire Union as this is shorter and not duplicated on the return.
Week 1 is a short week as we are planning to be away for an anniversary over the previous weekend.
Week 1 Droitwich to Kidderminster
Wed 13th May to Sat 16th May
27 Miles 30 Locks 16 Hours
From Droitwich Spa to the River Severn, either via the Worcester and Birmingham canal, calling at the Fir Tree in Dunhampstead. Then to Worcester and out on to the River Severn and North Upstream to join the Staffs and Worcs Canal. If River conditions permit an overnight stop at Grimley to vist the Camp House Inn or at Upton on Severn. Continuing up the Severn to Storuport to join the Staffs and Worcs Canal. North East on the Canal to Kidderminster. This route is dependant on River conditions on the Severn, a backup is to travel up the Worcester and Birmingham canal, through Birmingham and joining the route above at the bottom of the Wolverhampton Flight in week 2
Week 2 Kidderminster to Audlem
Sunday 17th May to Saturday 23rd May
53 miles 49 Locks 30 Hours
Continuing along the Staffs and Worcs through Kinver and Bratch passing Aldersley Junction on the outskirts of Wolverhampton where the BCN joins at the bottom of the Wolverhampton 21 flight. Continuing to Autherly Junction where the Shropshire Union joins from the North. North on the Shropshire Union to Audlem. If the River Severn was impassable in Week1 we will be starting this week in Birmingham and travelling via Wolverhampton to rejoin the route at Aldersley Junction.
Week 3 Audlem to Worsley
Sunday 24th May to Saturday 30th May
62 Miles 14 Locks 24.5 Hours
Continuing north on the Shropshire Union to Nantwich where we join the broad canal heading for Chester. Turning right on to the Middlewich branch at Barbridge Junction and join the Teent and Mersey at Middlewich for the final descent to Preston Brook and the junction with the Bridgewater canal, passing through the salt towns of Middlewich and Northwich and the numerous "flash's" caused by salt extraction and subsidence. From Northwich we follow the valley of the River Weaver through Anderton where the boat lift connects the canal and river. From Anderton through the tunnels at Barnton and Saltersford to the stop lock at Dutton then through the Preston Brook tunnel to the junction with the Bridgewater canal. Along the Bridgewater to Stretford and on to the Leigh branch passing over the Manchester ship canal on the swing aquaduct at Barton to Worsely where the Duke of Bridgewaters mines started the whole canal age.
Week 4 Worsely to Lancaster
Sunday 31st May to Sunday 7th June
69.5 Miles 25 Locks 27.5 Hours
From Worsely contine along the Bridgewater to the junction with the Leeds and Liverpool canal at Leigh then 2 broad locks up to junction with the main line to Leeds where we bear left towards Liverpool. 6 Locks down to Lathom Junction for the branch to Tarleton and the Sea lock to the tidal River Douglas and the Ribble Link.
Wed 3rd June for the booked passage to Preston via the Tidal Rivers Douglas, Ribble and Savick Brook, then up the 9 locks of the Millenium link, including the 3 lock staircase. The rest of the week to explore the Lancaster Canal and find a sutiable mooring probably at Galgate just south of Lancaster.
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Moored at Lancaster
7th June - 12th July
Week 5: Lancaster - Preston , Via Tewitfield and Glasson Dock
12-18th July
60 Miles 12 Locks 24 Hours
A week exploring the Lancaster Canal, probably starting from Lancaster and ending up at Preston. No locks except on the Glasson branch in which case 6 locks each way.
The week may also include time exploring the area and possibly a trip to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.
Week 6: Preston to Liverpool Docks
19-25th July
45 Miles 23 Locks 23 Hours
Returning South on the Ribble Link on the 20th to rejoin the Leeds and Liverpool Tarleton Branch, then south to the Main line at Latholm Junction. Then west and south through Burscough and the northern outskirts of Liverpool through Maghull to Hancocks Swing Bridge to wait for the Liverpool Link passage on the 24th. Moored in Liverpool Friday afternoon to Monday Morning.
Week 7: Liverpool Docks to Marple
26th July - 1st Aug
72 Mile 57 Locks 43 Hours
FromLiverpool back through Burscough to Wigan and Wigan Pier and on to the Leigh branch to the junction with the Bridgwater (Leigh branch) and over the Manchester ship canal on the Barnton Swing Aquaduct and past the Duke of Bridgewaters mines at Worsley. Rejoining the Bridgewater main line at Waters Meeting in Stretford. Then north on the Bridgewater to Castlefield Junction before tackling the Rochdale 9 through the centre of Manchester past the infamous Canal Street. Leaving Manchester on the Ashton Canal (18 locks) to Dukinfield Junction to join the Peak forrest Canal. Then to Marple via the 16 lock Marple flight.
Week 8: Marple to Stoke on Trent
2nd - 8th August
46 Miles 13 Locks 20 Hours
From Marple Junction exploring the Upper peak forrest including Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth Basin before returning to Marple thenalong the Macclesfield Canal, one of the last canals to be built. Through Bollington and Macclesfield to the junction with the Trent and Mersey just north of Harecastle tunnel at Kidsgrove. South through the 3000yd tunnel to Stoke.
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Moored at Stoke on Trent
9th - 15th August
Week 9: Stoke on Trent to Stone
16th - 22nd August
49 Miles 48 Locks
From Stoke on to the Caldan Canal to Froghall and Leek. Froghall is adjacent to the Churnet Valley Railway so a day out on the railway could be in order. Returning along the Caldan Canal to Stoke, then south on the Trent and Mersey to Stone
Week 10: Stone to Coventry
23rd to 30th August
60 Miles 24 Locks 28 Hours
From Stone south to Fradley junction and on to the Coventry Canal through the outskirts of Nuneaton and south in to the centre of Coventry to moor.
Week 11: Coventry to Rugby
31st August to 5th September
67 Miles 2 Locks 32 Hours
From Coventry north and on to the Ashby Canal to Snarestone, then back to Hawksbury Junction then south on the Oxford Canal to Rugby.
Week 12: Rugby to Fenny Compton
6th - 12th September
44 Miles 57 Locks 34 Miles
From Rugby to Napton juntion for a detour on to the GU towards Leamington. The return east along the GU to Napton and then head south on the Oxford canal to our new mooring at Fenny Compton Marina.
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