We arrived here yesterday via Dover Lock then Wigan after receiving a gentle reminder from C&RT to keep moving. We contacted them to explain that I had a local hospital appointment to keep and they kindly removed our "transgression" from our record, which was good of them. To be honest, we have never outstayed the two week limit except over this Christmas and New Year. Our "offence" is to keep returning to Plank Lane so that a check at the start and end of a month might find us in the same place even though we will have moved about in between times.
No matter and no harm done we were happy to move on in this mild spell of weather. We have loved our first winter out of the marina as we almost have the canal system to ourselves. In fact, in the last three days we have only seen one boat on the move, which suits us fine.
As you know we stop here at Gathurst regularly. Adequate shops, good pubs, excellent train access and a selection of walks, it's perfect for our needs. Today, we added a new walk to our list as we discovered Elnup Wood.
This wonderful hawthorn guard of honour preceded the woods
as did a few reminders of Wigan's proud coal mining history
Beware old mine shafts!
The woods themselves were an absolute delight, if a little bit muddy in places and we will definitely be returning as I spotted a couple of other paths to take in there. Also, plenty to eat if you get hungry!
As we were leaving the woods a pair of robins dropped at our feet, really going at each other hammer and tongs and totally ignoring us. Robins will fight each other to the death over territory so I chased them apart in the hope that both would live to fight another day. That's my bit for world peace taken care of!
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