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It’s too windy and exposed at the top, so seeking shelter we dropped down the first two locks and moored up overnight between locks. This worked for shelter and we even managed to get the stove lit, but with no heat coming through the radiators we knew it wasn’t right yet.

Cruising hours 7, only 2 locks and 19.5 miles done. Amazing really given the weather.

22^nd September 2004

It’s rainy and cold.

Down Blackburn locks, stopping near the end to top off the water tank and use the facilities. So clean and warm – seems worthy of the awards displayed.

Cruising through Blackburn is a very different view to any I have seen whilst working there for 16 years! We arranged to meet my work colleagues for lunch at the Boatyard Inn, only to find it closed and being extensively renovated on arrival. A quick phone call re-arranges the venue to the Royal Oak at Riley Green, giving us a short walk along the road to meet them.

Most who came for lunch then had a guided tour of Betty, with many complimentary comments. Keith please note, the vintage car restorer amongst them pointed out that you should align screw heads to be considered a craftsman. If that was all he could find to criticise I think we must have a good one.

After lunch we cruised along to our aim of reaching Johnson’s Hill Locks though when we get there the weather has really improved and it’s early enough. So we venture down this flight of 7 locks and going down we catch up with a single crewed narrowboat. We double up for the rest of the drop down here and chatting we discover he’s from London and has given himself only another 7 days to get home. He wanted us to continue on with him and go down the Wigan flight the next day. We hope he made it, but with John slipping at the last lock and seriously hurting his ribcage against the stern (safety?) seat, we stuck with the original plan of stopping here overnight.

Only 5 hours cruising today (too much socialising?) 11 locks and 8.5 miles.

23^rd September 2004

We now feel comfortable with time and distance done and to do, so we get a day off! Just as well really with the state of John’s ribs. Whilst it did take about 3 weeks in the end to fully ease off, it turned out to be just serious bruising and nothing broken (not that it felt that way !).

The engine was run that night for an hour or so for battery charging and hot water.

Through the day we fitted in a walk to Botany bay shopping mill, actually bought Rachel (our 3 year old god-daughter) a pretty PINK bag with her name on it, but we stopped short of visiting the Christmas shop in September. Still, we did get lunch in pleasant surroundings. Then with the weather being fine and sunny we walked to Higher Wheelton to the local shop, and back for a few provisions. Three hours that took, and when I’m driving past on the way to work it takes only a few minutes.

No pictures today!

24^th September 2004

Set off at 0840 in glorious sunshine.

Cruising past Botany Bay.

From here we cruised on to White Bear Marina, where fuel, water and a few other bits & pieces were picked up. There we were advised that if we were going to “do” Wigan locks that we should get it all done in the day and not moor up either at the top or part way down. Somewhat threw the plans because we had intended to take our time over this flight of locks, but advice taken.

It was today that we were to meet our next crew, Dave, who had agreed to help us over the later part of the journey, including the notorious Wigan flight of 21 locks.

The whole family (Carol, Rachel and grandparents Sylvia and Peter) came with Dave for a brief visit (Rachel complete with life jacket again Keith) before we set off at 1400 ish for the top of Wigan.

Part way into the Wigan flight.

We made fantastic time down the Wigan flight, John steering (nursing bruised ribs) and Dave & Pauline really working as a team setting/dropping the locks.

About half way down the Wigan flight, Dave closing the gates.

We thought we’d better miss this pole, even though we were sure it was plastic!

Well that’s the end of the Wigan flight.

With the Wigan flight of 21 locks behind us we turned on to the Leigh branch of the Leeds & Liverpool. This took us round to the last two locks of this journey at Poolstock. In total 108 locks from Ledgard Bridge!

Pauline at Poolstock locks.

From here we had about another hour cruising to get us to Dover Bridge, where there used to be another two locks but they have been removed unneeded as a result of mining subsidence.

Today’s count, 8 hours cruising, 23 locks and 15.5 miles.

Into Dover Locks pub for an evening meal, a lovely warm pub, but it looked as if meals were finished for the day. Anyway we asked and successfully placed our order before collapsing into a corner and waiting. When the waitress delivered our meals she told us that we were lucky and that she’d taken pity on us as we looked as if we needed feeding !!! Did we really look that bad? Anyway that’s both the food and the service that we praise. The Guinness was pretty good too.

Stagger back along the towpath in the dark to Betty.

25^th September 2004

10.05 start, we’re getting lazy now?

No, we knew that Plank lane swing bridge didn’t open early so took advantage of a leisurely start.

Approaching Plank Lane Swing Bridge.

Plank lane is operated by BW and here was the first time in all the journey that we were asked to produce the licence (that we were carrying!). A friendly wave saw us through with not too many cars held up (another James Bond style bridge jump opportunity – still no takers, shame really!) and en-route towards the Bridgewater canal at Leigh.

Cruising through Plank Lane Swing Bridge.

So we reached the end of the Leeds & Liverpool canal for this journey at least!

And we’re onto what becomes our home water of the Bridgewater canal.