Introduction to Douglas and that Ribble.

We got up a little earlier than normal as we were expecting the call about 0815 with confirmation of our passage. The wind had dropped right down overnight, but it was very grey. James Mayor from the boat yard, and lock master, dropped by and confirmed that we were all clear to go if we wanted. Other than a forecast of rain there was nothing to stop us.

After arrival the day before I had walked up to the lock to see if there were any closer moorings, there aren't. I took this picture from the lock head looking up the River Douglas towards Wigan, to where it used to be navigable before the canal was built.

These are the outer gates on the lock. A pair pointing either way as sometimes on spring tides the water level in the river must be above that of the canal

This is the view from the lock looking in the direction of the Ribble, the way we will be travelling. There was a good flow on the ebb as I was watching.

Boats from the Mayors yard spread from the visitor moorings right to the lock, on both sides of the cut.

Helen is getting an old hand at this business of penning out on to tidal waters, so it was nice to see a smile. Of course as soon as we let go from our overnight spot it started raining, just light drizzle though.

We shared the passage with 'Alessandra' with Marjorie and Robert. They had been over the Link previously and with them obviously faster than we would be, they left the lock first.

We left the lock with a bit of speed so as to counteract the incoming tide and then slowly increased the revs as all warmed up and I checked the temperatures. The mud was slowly being covered and we slowly increased the revs.

About a quarter of the trip from the lock to the Ribble you pass the Douglas Marine yard and long pontoons. After here the horizons open up as the flood bank recedes into the distance and the salt flats reveal themselves

Our companions didn't zoom off to watch out for us. By now I was doing 2400 revs and everything sounded sweet. I checked the temperatures and it didn't go above 180C, so I left it at that.

There was a herd of cows with the freedom of the flats and Helen was kept bust identifying all the birds that were to be seen. There are only two markers left on the Douglas now, the one above, and another further down that was partially collapsed. Not really missed by us today, but on a top spring tide the salt flats would be covered and it would be impossible to know whether you were in the river, or the field!

There were ominous signs astern as we approached the Ribble. The tide was still flooding up, but we still seemed to be doing a good speed.

The flood banks were pierced to allow the river to flood the salt flats on top spring tides to try to prevent flooding of built up areas higher up the river system. After all that is what a river would have done naturally before it's course was constrained to maintain its depth for navigation.

'Allessandra' took the Astland Lamp beacon well wide before turning. You shouldn't go to st'bd of the light as there are mud banks there. If here on a good flood tide you should be aware that you will be set down on to the beacon. The tide was all but shot as we approached, but still had a drain up left in it.

Here was our first objective of the day, the Astland Lamp Beacon, we turned right rounded it and headed towards Preston. As we entered the Ribble, the dribble of rain turned to a deluge. (See what I did there?).

There rest of the journey will have to wit for another day, where you can get many more very grey pictures!