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~February Forgiven~

26th February 2011

"They" said it would brighten up in the afternoon. I got a lift to the East Lancashire town of Barnoldswick so that I could take another look at the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Before the boundary changes of 1974, Barnoldswick was in the West Riding of Yorkshire, how would you feel about that?

Canal

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....

Barnoldswick

Barnoldswick

It's about 13:00hrs and it certainly has brightened up. Locals know the town as "Barlick", it has two big employers - Silentnight and Rolls Royce, their importance to the town cannot be overstated. It also has an excellent butty shop, see later!

Bancroft Mill

Bancroft Mill, Barnoldswick

I believe they make aircraft engine components here, not motor cars, otherwise I'd be visiting the factory shop. The canal is just up the road, all I need now is a quiet stroll along the tow path.

Canal Walkers

The Canal at Barnoldswick

My heart sank when I saw all these folk with cameras, going the same way as me. I caught up with the backmarkers and asked a lady if they were a "walking group". Aghast, she denied this and said they were just a group of friends, that's alright then!

Barnoldswick Canal

Canal, Barnoldswick

I got ahead of the group. This walk underlines the importance of the canal to the local community and tourists. This is a lovely stretch, rural, clean, well populated by smiley people and full of boats!

Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Disused Railway

No, not mis-titled, can you see the railway masonry on the right? Barnoldswick was served by a branch off the Skipton to Colne line, the branch was closed in 1965, five years before the closure of the parent line.

Tow Path

Tow Path

The wooden pole and roller are a reinstated feature. The explantion reveals that the tow rope would cause the rollers to turn as the boat made a tight turn, facilitating the steering of the boat around the corner. The Anchor Inn is just out of shot, a popular pub at Salterforth for canal users and locals alike.

Kelbrook

Kelbrook and Sheep Hill

The observant will see the course of the old railway in front of Kelbrook. Sheep Hill is the high ground on the horizon. Kelbrook has a good fish and chip shop, if you're passing. And hungry.

Bendy Trees

Bendy Trees

What's that about? Don't blame the wind, they're leaning from South to North and our prevailing winds are Westerly.

Canal

Hollinhurst Bridge No.148

The numbers count up from Liverpool, there's lots of "A" numbers when roads such as the M65 start crossing the canal.

Foulridge Tunnel

The North-End of Foulridge Tunnel

The tunnel is dead straight and is also known as the Mile Tunnel, can't think why. Walkers are directed over land to the other end. There is a cafe at Foulridge Wharf:

Cafe Cargo

Cafe Cargo

Pendle Hill

Foulridge Reservoir and Pendle Hill

I've taken this view the other way round often enough. This reservoir supplies water to the canal, which is at its highest altitude between the top of Barrowford Locks and Barnoldswick.

Foulridge Reservoir

Foulridge Reservoir

February has been a dire month for the camera, today it has been forgiven. Maybe we've been lucky in this part of England, but this is a really fine afternoon.

Railway Trackbed

The Skipton to Colne Line

So sad...closed in 1970, I've been on a train on this line. What if? There is no doubt there would be a role for this line today, I gazed down the line, for a moment....no, it can't be...dare you place your pointer over the photo?

Canal

Above the Southern (aka Western) portal.

Wanless Bridge

Wanless Bridge

I'm back on familiar territory now, heading for Barrowford Locks. Quelle belle journey, Rodney!

Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill and Barrowford Locks

Pendle Hill

Crossover Bridge

Pendle Hill

Nelson

or, at least, enough of it for today.

Nelson

Tunstill Mill

Tunstill Mill, Brierfield

Mill

Mill Conversion, Brierfield

This derelict mill is being converted to housing, let's see how they get on. I'll be back. I've chosen this point to leave the canal and head up the hill to home. It's an uphill walk through Brierfield and onto the fields behind our house. I took a look westwards towards the coast....

Sunset

Dark Cloud over Preston

Walkers: Just Me

Time taken: 4hr and 25 minutes over about 11.5 miles.

Route: Canal from Barnoldswick to Foulridge, over the tunnel via the reservoir and canal again to Brierfield. Up the 380ft hill, a bit of a shock after all the level ground.

Weather and conditions: Sunny Intervals, bright and quite warm.

Greetings Count: Quite a few walkers and lots of happy faces.

Richard's Refreshment Review: Bacon Butty and Chunky Chocolate Cake at The Chef's Pantry - a great little butty shop, no seats. A cup of coffee at Cafe Cargo, Foulridge - extensive menu and lots of tables. Dogs (with owners) allowed in the conservatory.

Barnoldswick Cafe Cargo
Chef's Pantry, Barnoldswick
Cafe Cargo, Foulridge

 

All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2011 ©

Take me back to the start ....

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