Thursday July 5th, Slattocks - River Irk Aqueduct moorings

Our weather can’t make its mind up. After what seems like day after day when it has rained extensively, we managed to get a cruise in today without a drop. Indeed, we had blue sky and warm sunshine all morning. Mind you, the forecast for this afternoon, evening and into tomorrow is for torrential downpours – up to another month’s worth of rain in 24 hours or so.

When have we booked our passage down the locks into Manchester?

Tomorrow.

Great.

What a treat to look forward to.

Today was actually lovely. We untied just after 8.00 and were soon into our stride down the pretty Slattocks flight. It starts in mundane surroundings beside the main road and a major road intersection, and ends up in sylvan delights.

Leaving Slattocks Top Lock

The top lock is notable for an attractive former lock cottage, now in private ownership, whilst the second lock down is renowned for leaking so badly that the towpath tunnel under the main road has a torrent of water pouring through it. No wonder the lock has to be kept empty.

Near Slattocks

After the road bridge things quieten down and bosky woods surround the canal on both sides. The near side trees hide an expansive industrial estate. You are startled from time to time by a hiss of hair brakes or an excess of compressed air, or vague metallic clangs. But by the time the railway makes its first crossing you are into full countryside mode with bleating lambs and cackling geese.

First railway bridge (tunnel)

The railway bridge is actually more like a tunnel. The railway lines cross at such a skew angle that the bridge goes on for ever. The rows of bricks spiralling up and over your head are quite spectacular.

Second railway bridge & Scowcroft Lock

Just beyond the bridge the last of the six locks of the flight heralds the longest pound of the day, all of about ⅓ of a mile, before Boarshaw Lock interrupts your more idle moments.  Scowcroft, Coney Green and Walkmill Locks soon follow before the canal arrives at a sharp hairpin bend to enable it to cross the small River Irk on a stone aqueduct.

At Scowcroft Lock, the railway re-crosses the canal on an attractively painted bridge.

Mooring from the Irk Aqueduct

The Rose of Lancaster moorings where we tied up about 3 weeks ago on our outward journey is about 100 yards ahead, but, unlike before when we didn’t know, the aqueduct has mooring bollards on either side, and here we tied up after less than 3 hours cruising. 2 miles and 10 locks, all but one against us represents quite good going for a pair of old crocks.

River Irk from the aqueduct & last view of the Pennines

I think we deserve our drink and meal in the pub before recovering and preparing ourselves to get soaked tomorrow.