Burnley and the Weaver's Triangle.

Thursday 6th August, 2015 below Barrowford Locks.
A mostly wet morning. We left Hapton early in cold but dry weather; however, a fine, mist-like rain set in shortly after. Woolly jumpers, hats, scarves, waterproofs and an umbrella - a typical August day! We were almost glad to go into Gannow Tunnel (559 yards) to escape the rain.

M declined to walk over the top as it would have entailed crossing the M65, the railway and the A67. Not exactly the scenic route!
Not long after, to our surprise, we caught up with Pat and Mick on nb "Rubicon". We thought they were going on to their marina in Burnley last night but they must have stopped quite close to us. Together, we crossed the aqueduct over the M65 - not crossing the Rubicon but Rubicon crossing!

It gave us a feeling of great superiority to look down on the motorway with its rows and rows of cones, enforced speed limits and speed cameras!

It was still raining as we came in to Burnley and again, we waved goodbye to "Rubicon". We moored up on the "Weaver's Triangle Wharf", now converted to the "Inn on the Wharf".

There is a small museum (but only open Saturday to Tuesday afternoons) dedicated to the Weaver's Triangle in the old toll house.

The "triangle" referred to the rows of cotton mills that bordered the three sides of the town. Most of them have been demolished long ago along with their tall chimneys although half a dozen huge mills still remain and some have been converted to very attractive looking apartments.

Donning waterproofs, we walked to the nearby Tesco to do the heavy "few bits", which we took back to MM after a short stop at - would you believe - a Costa in the Tesco store.
By that time, thankfully the rain had eased off and we walked into the centre of town to get the rest of the "few bits" in M&S. The town centre was mainly pedestrianised and was very agreeable; in the distance there was still pleasing evidence of its past industrial history.

On the eastern side of the town is a 3/4 mile long embankment 60ft high that carries the canal in a dead straight line across the valley of the Calder and Burn rivers. It was fascinating to look down on the rows of the archetypal terraced houses - two up, two down and back to back with a shared back alleyway. It is possible to buy one of these for about £45,000!

The rows of identical streets were highlighted by row after row of identical chimneys stretching into the distance. Some of the streets are still cobbled and present the classic image of the northern industrial towns of England.
Passing Barden Mill Marina, we spotted nb "Rubicon" in her mooring, back home after her eight week cruise. But there was no sign of Pat or Mick.

The Marina looked lovely, not least because the sun had finally put in an appearance and the countryside was once more delightfully rural.
We moored up for the night below Barrowfield Locks, ready to tackle them tomorrow morning.

A lovely spot and we've already teamed up with nb "Spring Dew" to do the flight of seven locks together tomorrow morning as soon as we have had breakfast.
Today: 11 miles 0 locks and 3.7 hours.
Trip: 192 miles, 93 locks and 116.9 hours.