Near Prestolee

Lily cover on canal

Basin at Nob End

Meccano Style Bridge over canal

Looking down the flight of locks at Nob End

Photos by Pete

As people gathered at our house for the start of the walk, reports of an overcrowded motorway network were delivered.  Peter phoned to say he was stuck at the south end of the M66, only 5 minutes away under normal traffic conditions and say we’ll wait for him to join us.  We set off first over Whitefield golf course to go over the standing traffic on the M60.  Down Asylum Clough as it used to be know and into the Irwell valley.  Over the Irwell and follow disused canal and river, past Clifton Junction, now to go under the M60 to Clifton Country Park.

Coffee was taken on the canal side at the bottom of a flight of locks at Nob End, Prestolee.  From here we made our way to Mosses Gate and did a lap around one of the beautiful lakes there.  Up to the top canal and just before we turned up to skirt Little Lever, Sue left us by arrangement to continue to Radcliffe.  Crossing the Bury Bolton road we arrived at the outskirts of Ainsworth before turning towards Whitefield once more.  Lunch was in a meadow or under the shade of a tree. 

The Bolton and Bury canal was again picked up, leading to Radcliffe.  After dropping off the canal and over the Irwell once more by bridge we headed up the Outwood Trail, following what used to be a railway.  When I started walking with the LDWA one of the chaps then retired had worked as a fireman on the steam trains that used this railway line that terminated at Clifton Junction.  We emerge onto Park Lane and are soon at our house once more for 15:30 and a distance of 21 miles.

Tea, coffee, cakes and a few beers were enjoyed before folk dispersed for home.  Thanks to all for attending.