April Again? 11 July 2019

Thursday 11^th July 2019

Pennington Flash to Dunham Massey Underbridge

19.25 miles, 0 locks

First thing this morning Monty and I set off to explore some of Pennington Flash.  It was a glorious sunny and warm morning as you can see as I looked back along the cut at the boats.

 I walked back to the footbridge and down the steps (there is a useful bin at the bottom for dog deposits).  Opposite this hide (the first of three I found)

There is a wooden screen to allow you to observe the birds without being spotted

This was my view – two herons (red circles) sharing a stretch of water and presumably looking for their breakfast

I kept walking round to my left where, as I approached the car park, there is a row of benches all in memory of loved ones

With a wonderful view to enjoy as you rest your weary bones

Nearby there is a picnic area and a play park

Heading back this is the third hide I came across and this one was empty, so I could pop in for a look

 It was worth visiting for the views, but I was very disappointed to see that someone had left a pop can, water bottle and the wrappings from whatever snack they had with them.

We ended up at the steps I had come down

And turned left along the ‘low road’ with a view up to the big seat on the towpath above

As we got to a steep path that led back up to the towpath with Cleddau at the top, Monty headed off that way looking back for me to follow

Err…. I don’t think so – my knee would never hack it!

And there we are just behind Cleddau

Follow the path along and veer right and you come to the large lock gates that are fanned out like a book

One has the ‘door’ open

And at the other end the gate’s door is shut – it is rare that we see the bottom of lock gates – we all know there is a door at the bottom to keep water in or let it out, but we never see them.

The path meets the tow path here, turn right and I made my way back to the boat.  On the way I spotted a boat with family name that we became familiar with when we visited Rufford Old Hall.

I wonder if they really are THE family?

It was a wonderful walk and very peaceful. Most of the time all I could hear was the birds singing in the trees and the crunch of my feet as I walked along.  Mind you, in the distance there was always a low rumble of incessant traffic.

We set off shortly after I got back and still in warm sunshine.  The boat name made me smile.  

Photos on route were a bit hit and miss due to the very sudden and very wet ‘April’ showers

We stopped at Bridgewater Marina for diesel – they are very welcoming, helpful and also dog friendly.  Someone likes to garden 

Monty and I jumped ship just after we left the marina – there are often things you find on the towpath that you would never see from the boat.  Nothing particularly special about this rather coffin shaped bench until you look at the 

information at both ends

Having come this way coming north there was little new to see, but a couple of things deserve a second view

The Packet House in Worsley

Monton lighthouse

Barton Swingbridge which once again was not being swung - one day maybe

Another sight spotted whilst Monty and I walked the towpath as we went through Sale

If you include the stop for diesel we were on the go for over 6 hours today – a very long one for us, but we are safely moored near Dunham Massey Underpass.

The rain had come and gone for most of the day, but not long after we moored (and were we thankful it waited) the heavens really did open.  It was torrential.