Salterforth to Rishton

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Waiting at Foulridge Tunnel

Fairly early rise to make our way down to Foulridge, where we had to wait nearly an hour for clearance to proceed through the mile-long tunnel (an opportunity to have some breakfast). After an uneventful passage through the tunnel we proceeded on to the top of the seven-lock Barrowford flight, marking our descent from the summit and down into Lancashire. The top of the flight is lovely green pasture, but by the time you get to the bottom, having gone under the motorway, the environment is rather more industrial.

Burnley Wharf

In Nelson, we stop at Morrison's, where they have their own moorings, to stock-up on supplies. Then on to Burnley, and the "Burnley Mile", where the canal runs dead straight along the top of a 60 ft embankment above the town. It is supposed to be a "wonder" of the canals, but we encountered nothing more exciting than three canoeists and a large black leather sofa. Further on into Burnley there is a fantstically well preserved covered wharf.

We end up mooring by the bridge at Rishton, just east of Blackburn. Probably one of the least salubrious places we have moored at. But at least the weather has held out today - dull, overcast and cold, but no rel rain untill after we have moored-up.

Salterforth to Rishton: 22.5 miles, 7 locks, 4 swing bridges, 2 tunnels