Dover Bridge to Wigan Top Lock
Last night we had a big thunder storm, way off in the distance. The type where you can see the bright flashes of lightning but can't hear the thunder. This morning it was cool and slightly overcast. The moorings at Dover Bridge were full and we were moored overnight in a place where we had to use the plank to get on and off the boat.
This morning as several boats passed I tried to find someone to partner with through the locks up the Wigan flight. No luck, everyone was heading for Liverpool. The first two locks of the day at Poolstock were soon behind us as we turned towards the bottom lock of the twenty three locks comprising the Wigan Flight.
We tackled the flight on our own. Things were going well until we had done the first eight locks. Then we found that the Peel Hall Bridge pound was seriously short of water. We came through the lock where we noticed that someone had pulled over for lunch. And in their words "had left the next lock going down filling up ready." The problem was that they had left both sets of paddles up and the Peel Hall Bridge pound was now so low that both we and them were stemmed up. We had to wait for a couple of boats coming down to bring enough water with them to float us off the mud.
After we had passed the boats coming down and gone through the next lock. We sent the lock full of water down to help float them both across the pound. Of the boat that had created the whole problem. It was last seen broadside across the pound with the bow and stern in deep mud.
When we reached the top we sent down enough water to refill all the six top pounds and to start water going down the byewash into the seventh. By the time we reached the top lock, it had been a long, long day. We were ready for food and drink. But first it was a much needed hot shower.
Wildlife: We followed a Kingfisher for about half a mile. I heard the bird give its shrill call as it overtook us. Then each time we reached its resting place. It would shoot ahead once again flying low over the water.
Daily Total
Miles: 5.8
Locks: 23
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 5.9
Accumulated Totals
Miles: 1095.8
Locks: 796
Swing / Lift Bridges: 120
Tunnels. 21
Pump Outs: 12
Engine Hours: 2355.5
Later......
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