Afternoon ride out

18th April 2022

In preparation and possibly out of boredom for Sundays Fairfield Horseshoe I thought I'd head out on the bike and just as I was ready to leave Kathryn my neighbour spotted me and asked "heading out? where too?" good question I answered, I hadn't a clue, Kathryn mentioned that she sometimes cycles the 8 mile or so to the new canal basin at Leigh and then onto Pennington Flash (lake) after.

Aye I think I will Kathryn I answered. My legs must have been in the mood for peddling because I ended up on the Bridgewater Canal about 6 miles from Manchester City centre, against a head wind too. In all I covered about 28 mile and other than feeling a tad saddle sore I felt in good fettle for the Fairfield Horseshoe. Now fast forward to the day after completing the Fairfield Horseshoe the afternoon forecast looked bright all be it a tad less milder than it was yesterday so out came the bike again and as soon as my arse hit that saddle I knew about it.

   
 

Overview
Ascent: 630 Feet - 192 Metres
Wainwrights: N/A
Weather: Highs of °C Lows of °C
Parking: N/A
Area: Wigan
Miles: 11
Walking With: On My Own
Ordnance Survey: Explorer 276
Time Taken: 1 Hours 10 Minutes
Route: Leeds & Liverpool Canal - Britannia Bridge - Rose Bridge - Top Lock - Haigh Hall Plantations - Haigh Hall - School Lane - Pendlebury Lane - Leeds & Liverpool Canal - Haigh Hall Plantations - Whelley Loop Line - Leeds & Liverpool Canal
 

Map and Photo Gallery

Looking towards Britannia Bridge.

You're not seeing things the canal has been drained and has been this way for some weeks now which left locals including myself asking was this an act of vandalism?


Bottom of Wigan Flight.
As soon as I reached the next set of locks I realised the water level was back to normal and I never really paid it any more attention until I reached the next set of locks further up.

New lock gates installation Wigan Flight.
Further into the flight I realised one of the basins had also been drained before spotting the brand new lock gates which now explains the drainage further down the canal.

Lock 72 had also been drained.
It's not very often you get the chance to see an empty canal lock.

Looking back on the lock gate replacment.
 

The view from Top Lock.
I'd imagine if you owned a narrow boat having just completed the Wigan Flight you'd have earned yourself a pint or two right about here, now't for cycling up it though!

Top Lock.
The last set of locks on the Wigan Flight.

Top Lock.
Love this view.

Lots of narrow boats on the canal today.
I'm not too sure about the nautical figure head on the bow of the first boat, the last time I saw something like that it was on Jason and the Argonauts movie and that one could talk.

Splendid views towards Blackrod.
With Kirkless Wood seen right.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Haigh.
The tow path was quite busy but there were sections which I had to myself.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal from Haigh Bridge.
I left the tow path and joined the track towards Haigh Hall via the Planations. Over on the left is the little hump back bridge which I'll return by later.

Peddling towards Haigh Hall.
Please excuse the white lines which were the brain child of the former owners. The Hall is back in the hands of Wigan Council who plan to restore the Hall and grounds to their former glory which us Wiganers take with a pinch of salt given that it was promised pre-covid and as we all know a lot has changed since then.

Haigh Golf course.
Which was looking quite vibrant under what could be rain clouds.

Haigh Hall.

I knew Haigh Hall had a reputation for being haunted but I never knew to what extent until I carried out some research. All Wiganer's know that the top floor is haunted but I never knew it had been sealed off as a no go area due to visitors who had witnessed manifestations of their own deceased family members and one paranormal investigator who, after encountering a violent poltergeist lead to a breakdown and was subsequently sectioned into a mental hospital.

Ok I'm just gonna leave that with you.


The beast.
 

Back to reality and the wonders of Spring.
My nan and grandads house was situated along a road lined with Blossom trees and my grandad hated clearing the petals which totally devoured his driveway, gutters and car especially after rain. My nan loved it though.

Looking back the Courtyard (former stables)
Once stables to the hall the courtyard now host a bar, craft shop and the worlds most expensive cafe!

Winter Hill from School Lane, Haigh.
Looks a stones through away but it's actually 6 miles away.

School Lane.
With Haigh Hall behind me I peddle out towards Pendlebury Lane which is just opposite the twin cottage.

Pendlebury Lane, Haigh.
Pendlebury Lane connects School Lane with the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, it's also home to one of those properties you can only dream about owning after a lottery win.

And...
...some fantastic views like this one.

Pendlebury Lane, Haigh.

I left Pendlebury Lane and linked back up with the Leeds & Liverpool Canal then left Haigh Hall Plantation via a route known as the 'Whelley Loop Line' which was the old branch line used by Wigan Coal and Iron Works to transport coal to and from the main line. Now surrounded by acres of woodland and trails our industrial past is left to the history books. The old loop line lead back to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal very close to where the new locks were being installed where I stopped again to look at the new lock gates.

A local walked past and we got chatting "the work started last January and should have been completed this weekend" he went onto say "it looks like there's at least another weeks work left I added" I left the chap and peddled downhill passing lock after lock before arriving home about twenty minutes later.

Now that the lighter evenings have arrived I'll have the opportunity to head out after work just like I did last year, it gives the chance to shake the stress away and enjoy the local scenery and just like last year enjoy the sunsets too.


 

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