Trundlin'along

So we were at the bottom of the Wigan 21, and Mick slept like a baby. I didn’t, as I was listening for idiots, but I still didn’t hear the little git, who took our boat hook from the top of our boat. !!! However, the tale ends happily, as 6 locks up, and sticking out of the water like Excalibur was …………….our boat hook. Therefore, the Wigan Wally a) didn’t know what it was for, and b) didn’t really know what he was going to do with it now that he had attained it.

We had lock companions called Bill and Viv on Cygnet. Bill is a Scot, we do keep attracting these Scotsman, and once again we were able to offer assistance. I wonder if our chum Jim( a bonny Scotsman) is reading this. 4 locks from the top, and with the end firmly in our sights, Viv brought Cygnet through the lock, we all heard a clanking sound, and she lost reverse power, Mick asked if she could go forward….NO. Oh dear, on investigating Bill found that the prop, shaft and pin, had all gone. So we strapped them to us and did the last locks, and deposited them on a nice little mooring to get sorted.

The Wigan 21 is a great flight of locks, gives you a good work-out, and I did miss my mate, Maralyn, We do a flight of locks well, together.

But I have to say , in these days of dog –owners clearing up after the pooches, and you know where I am going with this, it’s a shame that there was so much dog-shit all around the locks. They are kept lovely ,the locks not the other, and with the grass growing a bit, some of the crap was hidden, so you had to really watch where you put your feet. Locks are hard enough to do at the best of times, without having to pile-hop about. !!!

Had a good shower at the BW facilities…..at least the lights stayed on and the water was hot. Yiiipppeeeee. Shame about the NB Aldo, they have decided to set up their mooring right on the water point etc. They have made it really difficult for folks to fill with water and do what they need to do before decscending the locks. Shame on them,selfish people.

So we have trundled off in t’rain. We are now in Lancashire. Moored at the top of Johnsons locks, right by the side of a CAMRA pub, so went in to try a pint, had such a good time had another. The old chaps in the pub were AKA Last of the summer wine, and were having a reet good banter wi’ landlady, who gave it back as only a good landlady can. We are going back tonight, for more Timothy Taylor beer, food and they have a group on …. They are shoved in a corner of this great pub. But Foggy or Compo or Clegg( can’t rememeber which one) have said “ not the same as in our day- are they ever?- and we will be tucked up with ‘us cor cor, pipe n slippers. Areet “.

lovely Wigan locks