THURSDAY. At Pickerings Bridge, Bridgewater Canal
The 2008 trip thus far: 305 Locks; 544.5 Miles; 56 Swing\Lift Bridges. Bus pass journeys 20
Slight drizzle as we moved off, one hour moving, then the stop lock at Preston brook before the tunnel. An oncoming boat was approaching the lock, which was at our level, at the same time as us. It stopped mid canal, and I assumed that it was one of the new breed boaters - hang back, don’t get off the boat, don’t do any work, don’t chat, just let someone else do everything. We left the lock for the tunnel waiting moorings. As we passed the steerer, he managed, just, to acknowledge us. As I was tying up, I glanced back to the lock, yes, you have guessed it, a woman appeared from inside and steered the boat whilst the first steerer did the lock, accompanied by someone else from inside.
We stopped at Thorn Marine for Diesel at 89 pence, and a stepped bolt replacement; then carried on until Pickerings Bridge. This is a nicely rural mooring where we stopped for the day. The showers started soon afterwards. Warm, dry, smug feeling!
A boat approached from the front, I recognised it as Roxanne crewed by Aussies Paul and Heather that we had met initially at Castleford. Exchanging greetings, they decided to stop for the day and we joined them for tea. After dinner, they came aboard and we had a good old chat and drinks until too late. Never mind, we both have an easy day planned for tomorrow.
Weather – Showers, gusty breeze, few sunny intervals.
