Plank Lane lifting bridge was our target today. Just a little further than the computer plan suggested, but if we were to stop short, then we would faul foul of the restricted hours on a weekday morning tomorrow. It is a very busy road and the bridge is narrow for the road user, so controlled by traffic lights to make things worse in a way for the motorist. We have right of way. So we have passed through and are moored up opposite a new housing development and marina and adjacent to a large country park. First, though, our journey. 8 locks today, 5 up and two down. The first, a deep lock formed of the amalgamation of two. It was full and had to be emptied first. Then once in, all a bit of a muddle. The ideal ground paddle to use was u/s and gate paddles not ideal, so lots of running around the lock bridge at the bottom trying to get a safe fill without the sluice wash throwing the boat around. Then next after, a swing bridge (manual). Then another lock, again with a defective top ground paddle and yet another lock this time a little strange in that there was no rush of water opening the ground paddle so that I assumed it was not working. Yet the lock was filling. By then we had reached Wigan and there was a boat waiting below the two Wigan Locks which we joined up with for the rest. From now no more locks (apart from a stop lock) until Middlewich), which will be pretty well 3 days motoring. It’s fascinating to think: all this distance and all on the same level.
There have been lots of walkers out today, being a sunny weekend. Behind our mooring there is a large wooded country park cross crossed with narrow paths inviting exploration. I found it handy for collecting some kindling for the stove, thus guaranteeing fine weather for the next few days.
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