Teachers, if I recall correctly it was Irlam locks that we spent the night in once as they broke down while we were inside, there was a small pub just over the road where me and the lads managed to get a few pints before closing, I had a few pound coins in my pocket so put them into the fruit machine and walked away with the £250 jackpot, got some nasty looks from the locals !!

Lorna.

Hi Lorna,

i have only been to Irlam locks twice in the last 35 years.
I almost lived there in the 19 seventies.

Teachers, it would be around the mid 90's to mid 00's, on the older V, S, F & M classes.

Lorna.

Hello Lorna,

Thanks for your comment.
Approx when were you transiting the canal as i was ship spotting at Irlam and Latchford locks before i was a teenager in the late sixties.
When i got a bit older i new many of the pilots and they started taking me on board from Irlam to Latchford or vice versa with my bicycle, then as time went on they would take me to Manchester and Eastham.
As for the scrap metal berth at Irwell park wharf, i thought that had finished, the last one i remember was September last year but i was abroad all winter then got stranded in Thailand so i am out of touch with top end canal movements.

Teachers, That brings back memories, done that many times when I was chief officer with Arklow, I had my Ship Canal pilots license so that was why we were always there to say the company money! Most likely taking Maize up to Salford then quick turn and load scrap from Eccles (if the berth is still there?)

Lorna.