We met two opposite direction events at Greenberfield Locks. Must have been the early bird rush hour because we saw no other boats until the tunnel. Lower Park Marina was the next stop for fuel, gas and pumpout. Their diesel is easily accessible from an inline wharf. I hate it when you have to cavort around inside a marina. Our last experience at Newark being a case in point. We picked up two boats at Foulbridge Tunnel waiting area but positioned in front reckoning we would be much faster than the first, a newbie hirer that we had met before. Waiting at the other end to return was the hire boat we had shared Gargrave Locks with the day before. The other boat we had not met before was another hire that joined us at the top of Barrowfield Locks, but this time a group of Dutch tourists who have been hiring in different parts of the country for years.
A very experienced group who instantly understood our problem of a 60 foot boat with fenders being too long for the locks. We can only get out if single in the lock by shifting the bows across the closed gate to exit on the other side. One side of our bowthruster has given up so it is very difficult to shift to the left without roping up and pulling the boat over if there is any interference like wind. Added to this problem is the uncertainty at the start of descent of how much top gate leakage we will find to swamp the rear of the boat. So far it has had a good wash but nothing more serious. Soon after leaving Barrowfield there is an obscure offside mooring just after Br 141B with a locked gate (handcuff key) to access Morrisons Supermarket. See photo. I must day it looks rather neglected and needs a clean and a good haircut. Then the long run to Burnley Embankment and our aim for the night, Rose Grove. We were rather disappointed with this spot. The marked offside moorings are really an extension of the CRT work yard and were occupied by workboats. We moored opposite in the lee of a large office block. It was quiet enough overnight, but the water was peppered with underwater obstructions. We would have been better going the extra half hour to Hapton, or even the towpath side by Knotts Bridge moorings.
Comments