The Butcher Ring

I was supposed to be resting at home, and that is enough to make me stir-crazy.  Luckily I have a home that moves!
I left Eanam and moved the short stint to Rishton, arriving just as some CRT volunteers had finished a litter dredging afternoon.  I assumed that resting in the pub was as good as resting at home, so popped over to the Butcher for a pint or five.   The ideas that you come up with over a pint are amazing.  After a bit of liquid inspiration, me and Rob came up with the idea of the Butcher Ring.  We have a pint in the Butcher, then set off from Rishton, over to Leeds, down the Aire & Calder, the Calder & Hebble, the Rochdale, the Bridgewater, back up the L&L to Rishton for another pint or five in the Butcher.

 That seems a cunning plan, so we set off on our intrepid journey.

The first stage was around the Church loop to Clayton.  Rishton to Clayton is about a mil to walk, or drive, but about five miles around the canal.

It is worth stating, "Which idiot designed Church Swing Bridge"
The controls are on the opposite side of the canal from any moorings, so once you have opened the bridge, you can't get to the boat to bring it through.

 The half way marker for the Leeds & Liverpool canal is in church







And the huge Commercial Hotel, which has been empty for many years now






We passed Lady P's old farm...

 

And an old canal-side building in Clayton that I would love to get my hands on to make a canal centre.

We had a great night in Clayton, the Wellington and the Old England Forever are definitely worth a visit.

The following morning was perfect weather to continue on to Burnley.

 

The canal is very exposed as it crosses across Altham towards Huncoat

 There is a disused swing bridge, and canal side building with no road access

I presume these were for farm access.







We stopped at Hapton and went to see Mo at the Railway.  I then had to stop at Rosegrove, as there was some piano wire and sundry rubbish wrapped around the prop.  I filled up with water while here.

 Soon the canal went under the motorway, and associated slip roads.

Then it was Gannow tunnel

Once through the tunnel we cross the M65 again

 And we arrived at Burnley wharf in time to see Kennet arriving for Burnley Canal Festival, which was a farce, a few boats, but not much canal related stalls or events..  Blackburn was far better.

Once the festival was over, I managed to moor up reasonably close to the pub!

Complete with rowdy neighbours!