Plank Lane

An early start today so that we can go through the Plank Lane Swing Bridge (although its now a lift bridge) on a Sunday.  When set off at 8:30 the weather was cooler than in the past few days which made the cruising more comfortable and less tiring.  However it was still hard work going through seven large locks on our own as there was no-one around with whom to share.

Approaching Plank Lane Bridge

After 6 hours without a break travelling through the lovely Douglas Valley, not so lovely Wigan, and the pleasant countryside beyond we reached Plank Lane.  The road was pretty busy so I didnt try to wait for a quiet period but simply pressed the button.  As soon as Denise had driven Densie through, a couple of other boats arrived travelling the other way so I let them through before re-opening the road.  By then I estimated there were queues of 20 cars or more in each direction.

Canal near Pennington Flash

 View of Pennington Flash from the canal

Objet d'art made from old lock gates

We moored up immediately afterwards not far from Pennington Flash which we visited for an afternoon walk.   Now its a very pleasant and popular country park and bird viewing site centred on a large lake.  Not long ago it was a coal mine, the flash being caused by mining subsidence.  The area around the visitor centre was in the middle of a railway loading area.