THE STEALTH RIBBLE LINK EXPEDITION

16th - 20th April 2010

The intrepid and fearless crew have completed their latest and most dangerous mission yet on the Narrowboat "Stealth".  On Saturday they successfully completed the transfer of the boat from the landlocked Lancaster Canal to the safety of the Leeds Liverpool canal (Rufford Arm) by taking the boat out into the fast running tidal Ribble Estuary towards the ocean, managing to make the nearly impossible turn to gain entry into the River Douglas Estuary.  The manoeuvre enabled them to reach the giant sea lock at Tarleton thereby gaining access to the safety of the Leeds Liverpool Canal.  On Monday they reached their goal by reaching Wigan Pier against all odds.  The latter part of the expedition was plagued by cold and windy conditions, but the crew successfully delivered the narrowboat to the St Mary's Boatyard and Marina completely on schedule. 

Friday 16th April  (Sunny  all Day)

• After months of meticulous planning, the crew met at Alan's house at 9am sharp (except Ron) for the start of their latest spine chilling adventure of courage and boatmanship. The SatNav was programmed for Bilsborough and they were off at top speed towards the unknown.  Despite an excursion along the M55 (twice) the crew arrived at the "Owd Nell's" public house on the canalside.
   

  On arrival at "Owd Nell's" the narrowboat was quickly located and the crew stood in amazement admiring its new paint job.

   

• An excursion to Sainsburys in Garstang secured sufficient provisions, including Gala Pie (in lieu of Pork Pie) as well as nourishing porridge.  Afterwards a pint and some lunch was enjoyed at the pub before the crew settled into the familiar surroundings on the comfortable boat.  The engine started willingly and the crew set off, briefly stopping to fill the tanks with a wholesome supply of fresh water.
   

  The crew waved to the crowds as they left "Owd Nell's" towards the unknown at the start of their epic adventure

   

• The narrowboat wound its way along the calm waters of the Lancaster Canal towards Preston, but the crew were unable to relax knowing that the Ribble Link lay ahead of them.
   

  Passing  beneath the M55 motorway caused much trauma to the troubled crew, but they pushed on towards their planned destination for the evening at Salwick Bridge

  Shallow water was encountered as they arrived at their destination, but the crew cunningly located a mooring place in the difficult conditions The crew were pleasantly surprised to find The Hand & Dagger pub close by

  As Neil completed Cran's logbook, the other members of the crew remained greatly concerned, but felt that a visit to the Hand & Dagger may help their distressed condition

   

• The crew, in great need of sustenance headed to the Hand & Dagger at 7-30pm to sample the ales on offer.  Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Jennings Cumberland ales were selected as accompaniments for their dinners of Gammon with pineapple & egg (except Ron).  Afterwards the crew returned to the boat, managing only small portions of cheese and biscuits as the impending Ribble Link prayed heavily on their minds.  They retired to their bunks quietly contemplating the tasks required of them the following day.  Sleep did not come easily.

Saturday 17th April (Another Sunny Day)

• The crew awoke at 6-30am and arose nervously to leave in time to reach the start of the Ribble Link by the prescribed time.  Alan spent some time carrying out engine checks in the engine room prior to departure to reduce the chance of breakdown whilst at sea.  The narrowboat quietly slipped its mooring before 7am.
   
• The crew were unable to face any porridge due to their nerves and proceeded without the benefit of any breakfast.
   

  The crew arrived at the start of the Ribble Link an hour before their allotted departure time and were relieved to see another narrowboat with brave crew also attempting the link with them. Ron considered that sustenance must be taken and immediately set about preparing a cooked breakfast with double sausages!!

  British Waterways staff turned out to see the 2 narrowboats attempt their daring crossing. Neil successfully hides his fear for the sake of the other crew

  The crew devised a cunning plan to negotiate the 300 deg turn out of the lock, by going through the giant staircase lock in reverse.

  The crew showed little fear as they negotiated the narrow dangerous Savick Brook before reaching the massive rotating sea lock, holding back the savage flood tide waters of the feared River Ribble

  The skilled crew made a record time through the dangerous Savick Brook arriving at the giant rotating sea lock before high tide.  They therefore rewarded themselves with coffee and HobNobs (milk chocolate variety)

  Before long the crew knew that they must enter the tidal waters of the Ribble Estuary accompanied only by the other brave crew of the "Narrowboat Gloriana"

  The British Waterways staff and well wishers bid the narrowboat farewell as they travelled through the giant rotating sea lock

  The crew were alarmed to see the massively wide waterway which they must navigate Narrowboat Gloriana found it difficult to make progress against the fierce tide

  As expected, Neil selected the perfect line to enter the fast flowing dangerous river

  The skilled crew were confident of success as they travelled 3 miles down the River Ribble in the impossible conditions

  The nearly impossible turn into the River Douglas was successfully made at "Asland Lamp" Progress remained slow against the incredible currents on this section of the mission

  SUCCESS The lockkeepers at the giant double sea lock at Tarleton were amazed to see the narrowboat arrive ahead of schedule, despite the near impossible conditions.  They travelled through the lock into the relative safety of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal (Rufford Arm)

  For a different view on the events look at www.gloriana.me.uk

  The crew rewarded themselves with Magnum Ice Creams (Classic Variety) on a successful completion of the most dangerous section of the mission. They decided to rest at Tarleton after the stress of the successful Ribble Link Crossing

  After an extensive shopping exercise in Tarleton, Neil proudly shows his new toothbrush purchase

   

• After relaxing showers the crew hurried to the Cock & Bottle for curry dinners (except Neil) with sufficient quantities of Thwaites mild ale.  Small quantities of cheese and biscuits were enjoyed back on board, as the crew contemplated the successes of the day, before retiring for well deserved rest.

Sunday 18th April (Cloudy with a little sun)

• The crew allowed themselves a lay-in until 7-30, when now fully relaxed, they permitted themselves large portions of plentiful porridge.  Narrowboat Gloriana moored nearby declined their offer to share locks up the Rufford Arm, due to the early start by the crew, who set off shortly after 8am.
   
• Although the canal was covered in much floating vegetation, threatening to foul the propeller and scupper the mission, the crew pushed onwards stopping briefly to fill with water at Spark Bridge BWB services, adjacent to Bridge 8a.
  
   

  Progress was slow along the Rufford Arm due to many swing bridges each requiring extreme strength to operate.  Ron can be seen here struggling with the machinery. Due to the massive media interest in this epic voyage, Alan was interviewed live on-board the narrowboat by local radio station Tempo FM.  Listen to the interview

  The crew efficiently located the St Mary's boatyard, the final destination for this adventure and went to investigate the facilities, most of which were closed. The stopping point seemed a suitable location for consumption of a wholesome breakfast, with added mushrooms, which Ron was quick to prepare

   

• The crew took pity on a another narrowboat, with inexperienced crew, and helped them through the next 7 locks, in a responsible manner.   The difficult and incredible sharp turn onto the main Leeds Liverpool canal was performed effortlessly and the crew continued their journey towards Wigan.
   
• Stopping briefly after passing yet another swing bridge (electrically operated), the crew felt need to finish their last Pork Pie ration, which was consumed with salad, and pickled onions.
   

  Although Wigan was the aimed destination for the evening, the skipper having learned of the Wigan v. Arsenal match that afternoon at the DW stadium in Wigan, felt that the vessel may have become in grave danger.  The Skipper therefore immediately ordered the narrowboat to be moored in the pretty little village of Parbold opposite the Windmill canalside pub.  Neil was dispatched to book a table and returned successful in his mission.

  DISASTER OCCURRED The crew were horrified to find Ron had again collapsed with exhaustion.   However, promises of a fish and chip dinner, with ale, brought about a rapid recovery.

   

• The Windmill pub proved very acceptable to the weary crew, who enjoyed dinners of Chicken and Fish & Chips, with an excellent local ale, albeit 5% ABV.   Afterwards the crew investigated the village of Parbold on foot and concluded it to be a wealthy well kept village.   Both hardware and provisions shops were located before the crew called in at "The Railway Inn" for some further "Pedigree" ale, whilst watching the highlights of the Chinese Grand Prix.
   

• After no cheese or biscuits the crew retired by 11pm contemplating the remainder of the difficult journey to reach their Goal - Wigan!!

Monday 19th April (Overcast and very cold)

• The crew had previously decided to make shore visits to the Provisions and Hardware shops, which didn't open until 9am.  They therefore dispensed with their daily porridge quota and prepared a healthy cooked breakfast whilst Ron procured additional supplies of HobNobs and a hose adapter.  In a responsible manner they decided not to purchase any further Pork Pie.
   

  The crew were relieved to find supplies of fresh water by Dean Locks in Gatehurst and filled their tanks to the very brim in anticipation of dry times to come.

  The crew showed little fear as travelled beneath the M6 Motorway

   

• The narrowboat encountered numerous difficult swing bridges as they travelled onward towards Wigan, but these presented little difficulty for the skilled and proficient crew.
   

  Neil was the first to spot the Wigan Athletic DW Stadium indicating that they were getting close to their destination.

  GOAL ACHIEVED With great pride and courage the crew brought the narrowboat gently into the heart of Wigan.  Completing the difficult turning of the boat in front of 'The Orwell' by Wigan Pier, they quickly moored to celebrate their success by preparing a lunch of cold meats, with salad, tomatoes and pickled onions, together with celebratory "Cup-a-Soups"

• Having turned the narrowboat at Wigan the crew set about returning to reach the start of the Lathom Locks, looking forward to dinner at the Ship Inn.  However, they were only too conscious of the enormous distances that had to be travelled.
   

  Ron demonstrated his vast knowledge of engineering by fathoming out how to operate the giant Glovers Swing Bridge structure

• A brief stop was made for Ron and Alan to procure a fresh supply of Cup-a-Soups, without hindering the tremendous progress of the narrowboat towards its destination.
   
• Onlookers were amazed to see the narrowboat arrive at the Lathom Junction ahead of time, when without any suitable moorings, the crew cunningly secured the boat to the bridge and the only available section of bank available.  The nearby Ship Inn had previously been selected for their night's entertainment and the crew hurried there, after showering (except Ron).
   
• Dinners of Curries and Steak & Ale pie were enjoyed in the "locals" pub and the Copper Dragon ale met with the crew's liking.  Afterwards the crew, knowing that only a short section of canal now lay between them and the successful completion of the mission, returned to the boat to finish their supplies of Cheese & Biscuits, before retiring to their bunks.  Their sleep, however, was disturbed as high winds drove the boat onto the bank repeatedly, causing them much concern and possibly jeopardising completion of their important mission.

Tuesday 20th April (Overcast, cold with high winds)

• The crew rose at an early hour being unable to sleep in the windy conditions.  As a result of the high winds, they elected to forego their porridge rations in favour of finishing their cooked breakfast supplies, which they felt would provide them with the extra energy necessary to battle onward.
   
• The tight turn into the Rufford Arm was executed effortlessly, together with the first three locks, until in open country the full force of the high winds drove the narrowboat onto the bank, making navigation impossible.  However, using their immense strength they were able to manhandle the boat into the locks, one by one, inching onwards until, much to their relief, the St Mary's Boatyard and Marina eventually came into view. 
   

  The difficult turn into the Marina was made to the admiration of the Boatyard staff, who hurried to attend to the craft after its incredible journey.  The narrowboat was filled with water and fuel ready for its next mission

  After cleaning and shutting down the services on-board the narrowboat was left safely moored in the marina

   

• The crew were pleased to see Cran'  (the owner of the Stealth narrowboat), when, after a full debriefing of the traumatic events of the journey in the adjacent Boathouse Brasserie, transported the jubilant crew back to the start of their adventure to collect their car.  The crew left for their homes knowing that adjusting to a normal way of life after this life altering journey, may prove very difficult.

The crew knew that their next adventure was due to start in the last week of June and secretly started their planning.

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