Photo-a-Day  (Saturday, 14th January, 2017)

This one Rev as not long ago been unearthed, its opposite greens carpets

It's hollow! I thought those things were a solid block.

I wonder how long it took in the old days,to travel the 1271/4 miles between Liverpool and Leeds?

Totally inaccurate. I would be surprised if it is half that to Leeds.

Not quite true, Mick. It's always been there - see:
http://www.towpathtreks.co.uk/milepostdisplay.asp?ino=33, but the Leeds distance plate had gone. That was replaced during a project to restore, unearth or replace all the milestones as part of last year's bi-centenary celebrations.
I like to think that, twenty years ago, I sowed the seeds for that to come about - I organised a meeting in the Coaching Inn on Warrington Road, Ince with a view to setting up a Canal Society for the L&L. In attendance was Mike Clarke, the second edition of whose History of the L&L was published last year, and he became its first Chair. In recognition of his work, one of the replaced milestones was named after him.
The markers - cast iron, rather than stone, by the way - were only installed in 1894, and none were installed along the section from Wigan Top Lock to Johnson's Hillock, which was formerly the Lancaster Canal. That's a bit strange, because their installation was ordered by an Act of Parliament, so one would think every section would have had to have them.

Of Course it's 94 plus miles to Leeds, remember, Canals are not straight, they snake all around the country.
In a car from Westwood about 55 miles give and take.

Mileage shown on the marker indicates 127 1/4

Broady its only measured at 5mph maximum.

I dont think too many will agree with that rash statement broady. The driving distance between the two is 65 miles, unfortunately the canal doesn't run alongside the M62.Firstly from Liverpool it almost reaches Southport before heading for Wigan, then north to the Blackburn area, then north to Skipton, which, is as far north as York, finally heading south east to Leeds, or t'other way around if you come from Yorkshire. I think the 127 plus mileage will be pretty accurate.

We sailed from the beginning at Leeds but only managed to reach Burscough. It was a wonderful experience & I would recommend it to anyone.

Canals were built following the contours of the land wherever possible. Roads, especially motorways don't have to be.

The L&L canal is approximately seven miles longer than the Suez Canal. The Suez is almost straight north/south.

Canals would make detours to collect or unload,the L&L was not planned to touch Wigan,there is a very short spur at Parbold,which was the original route,but was changed to go through Wigan,maybe to pick coal up,or unload somethings.

Maybe pick up pies. !!

Yes Rev I know its always been there, what I meant was it was covered in muck and nettles so you couldnt see it.
I met Mike Clarke when they where Celebrating 200 years Canal Bicentenary.
You can see him on this video

https://youtu.be/p_AE_CDCxiM

My mistake. I didn't read that it was by canal. Just googled and it is 57 miles by road.

I cycled it for charity, believe me, it is 94 miles from Wigan :)

Oh, sweet baby Jesus asleep in a manger, Promise me you'll buck up broady.

There's a Milestone Societ which has a data base
www.milestonesociety.co.uk