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Clitheroe Canoe Club
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Altham to the Gannow Tunnel 28th Mar 2004
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Once underway again instructions were passed forward to be on the lookout for a likely spot for the eagerly awaited and ever popular lunch stop. Once one was found, the opens helped to steady a number of the kayaks while they attempted the tricky disembarcation and haul out. As at this point on the canal the bank was lined by rotten planking with a gap between it and the towpath. The opens then pulled alongside, the paddlers stepped ashore, hauled out and began lunch. Our lunch, as it happened was right by Junction 9 of the M65 which was on the opposite side of the canal from us. There were with a number of allotments containing a variety of unusual animals such rare breed sheep and pot bellied pig. Though it has to be said that on the down side the proximity of the motorway made it a little noisy. Many thanks to Clare for the promised caramel - much appreciated. |
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Lunch over, re-emabarkation commenced and we were soon on our way again. The stop certainly seemed to refresh the Chairman! Then of course the inevitable happened. Well I say inevitable, it just seems to have happen on every trip this year. A male swan took offence to our party sharing his home and tried to get his revenge in first with a frontal assault. Then realising the size of the party opposing him he stopped short, exercised discretion and turned tail. All the while he continued to show his displeasure while being marshalled away. |
Rose Grove |
We soon arrived at Rose Grove where British Waterways have built a visitors mooring centre with all the necessary facilities for barges and other cruising craft. Over a brief stop Jem pointed out the preserved crane which was used for loading and unloading barges. Then we were off to the much anticipatedmain event of the day. |
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