Macclesfield Canal:Bosley bottom Lock

I left early on Sunday.  Landmarks came quickly. Broadhurst swingbridge was for me to do this time and was very easy.  The Royal Oak electric bridge is inevitably going to generate a small traffic jam being single handed.  However one motorist had the sense to offer to press the button once I had got the boat through and traffic was resuming as I returned to the control box.  I got to the top of the locks just after midday and thought it best to go down, otherwise I would lose a day and I had already booked the Harecastle tunnel for Monday afternoon.  There was just one volunteer on duty who kindle helped with the first lock, but after that I had the flight all to myself, not even an opposite direction boat.  I tried all sorts of ruses to reduce the work.  Basically there is no quick way of closing the exit clock gates except for the two locks with associated bridges, so it’s either mooring up below or going straight into the next lock having previously walked down to set, then walking back.  I tried the fold up bike, but got a puncture so that died.  However, I wasn’t convinced it was a benefit.  There was one exception at Lock 7 (if my memory serves me correctly) where one bottom gate would not stay open.  It had to have several attempts at pulling the boat through with the rope to jam it.  As it was going to close after me anyway, I popped a rope on the other one and pulled it shut after me as I left.  I’m logged as walking some 6Km.  Moored at the bottom.