So we are back where we started and slowly retracing our steps back to Wigan. We were joined last afternoon by two boats, one had broken down in Liverpool and had been towed out by the other. He had resolved his problems and the two intended leaving on the early slot for the two difficult bridges that can only be worked by C&RT staff. Pat took the opportunity of some last minute shopping from Tesco and I continued working on the starboard locker. A precautionary pump out and water top-up followed, then at about 10:45 two boats appeared going in our direction and we took the opportunity of following them through the swing bridge even though it was actually rather early and it would only mean that we would have to wait at Bridge 6. I hadn't realised that they had worked the bridge themselves, so found them moored on the other side waiting to pick up their crew and I was now in front. I got the impression that they were in a hurry, but whatever happened we would still have to wait at Netherton Bridge, which we did. It seemed that the small of these boats had some sort of engine control problem and could only go fast? So at Netherton they went first. At Hancock's Bridge we had to wait again.
This is the very busy single track road bridge with traffic light control, so there is always a queue of cars waiting one side or the other. It took ages for the bridge keepers to find a gap in traffic and then they wanteed to let two boats through opposite direction first. Just as the bridge opened a blue light ambulance appeared, so they had to shut it again and start all over looking for a gap. The two boats shot off ahead again leaving us and a broadbeam behind, so fully expecting them to have disappeared at the next swing bridge, they were waiting for us with the bridge open. How considerate. Now they would be behind the broadbeam as well and I rather think they wanted to crack on. We stopped as this is bridge 10. A lovely sunny evening, a field of horses one side and farm-land the other.
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