Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 22nd January, 2014)

Horrible looking, but necessary.

Total contrast to yesterdays photo..in terms of beauty, but is canals necessary in this day and age, I know they were a form of transport, but things have moved on!

This is what I would call a good interesting untouched up snap of life in Wigan on a cold January day.

Just seen the name on it and its one of mine.

Garry, as a means of commercial transport probably not, but think of all the anglers and boat owners who pay towards the upkeep of the waterways, like all other recreational facilities.

not pretty but interesting!So slutchy!

Garry - there are about 20 miles of canals in Wigan Borough. They represent the biggest single item of industrial heritage we have - and they are still being used - by anglers, boaters, walkers, cyclists - and enjoyed by everyone who looks over a canal bridge.
Apart from that, it was proved in the 1950s, when wholesale abandonment of the system was being proposed, that the canals are now so much part of the waterways and drainage system of the country that we would still need to pay for their maintenance to avoid flooding even if navigation was stopped. The cost of such maintenance is the main expenditure involved in keeping the system - the additional costs relating to keeping them navigable is covered by boaters' Licences.

Garry, canals provide a welcome leisure activity for thousands of walkers, cyclists, anglers and pleasure boaters,and many people also live on narrow boats and barges.

Looks like it might be the customary shopping trolley in the bottom R / h corner ?

Harry C, if I were an Angler which I'm not that boring, I'd rather fish at a lake near a beauty spot, not the Canal! I don't think fisher men and canal boat owners like each other.

if you want a good holiday & see some of our beautiful country, take a narrow boat trip. Most of the holiday boat firms offer "taster" weekends so you can try it out & see if you like it. I have some lovely memories, one of which is mooring at the marina by the theatre in Stratford, going to a play & strolling back to the boat afterwards.

Mick and Harry C; Re Harry`s comment of today at 08.35 on his P-a-D yesterday; is Brian still putting P-a-D on?
Harry; Take no hotice of Garry.

Ernest ,yes.

Nice photo, Mick. Looks like it was taken on Sunday in the nice sunshine? I went up there too - looked like they are doing some work on the lock but in my ignorance of these things I couldn't work out what exactly it was.
Despite the work going on there were many people enjoying the canal and it's surroundings, even if it is just for things like photography!