Parbold

19-24 June

I stop for the night before Wigan and benefit from a lovely sunset.

I team up with Jim, who is also on his own to go through Wigan and work the locks together.  Being wide locks both boats fit in together making it easier and quicker.  We both want to call in at the Canal Trust office in Wigan - he wants to see if he can secure a passage on the Ribble Link to get on the Lancaster canal and I want to buy a pump out card.

Jim at the junction.  The canal to Leeds goes off to the left, where I will be heading later.

The only reason I had heard of Wigan is because I read George Orwell's Road to Wigan Pier at school.  First published in 1937, the first half of this work documents his investigations of the bleak living conditions  in the industrial north of England. 

The second half is a long essay on his middle class upbringing, and the development of his political conscience, questioning British attitudes towards socialism.

The area is due for further development more info

James is having problems.  He is almost constantly asking to go out but not able to "go".  I can tell from his actions that he is wanting to go but he is not even getting as far as squatting.  Worrying, so I stop giving him food and arrange an appointment at a vets in Parbold for Saturday.  Fortunately it is mainly dry so our frequent excursions are made not too bad.  Very good vet can find nothing wrong and says I should resume normal feeding. He gives him a mild painkiller and clears his anal glands. The problem continues and after another discussion with the vet on Monday we think it might be a recent change of food which is causing the problem so we change him to another type.

I am sorry to say goodbye to Jim, who carries on to the Rufford branch and his hoped for trip to Lancaster.  It has been great sharing the locks and bridges and he makes a wicked bacon butty!
 

I decide that my proposed trip into Liverpool to meet Frank and June, my friends from Scotland who are coming down for a few days, could be a disaster as it would just be far too busy for James.  He wants to chase everything that moves and goes completely wild when cars pass.  So, no Liverpool visit this time.  Disappointing as I have never been to Liverpool.

15 miles; 8 locks; 2 moveable bridges
TOTAL:  383 miles (86 miles broad, 40 miles river); 167 locks (31 broad); 17 moveable bridges