MONDAY. At Appley Bridge, L & L
The 2008 trip thus far: 312 Locks; 585 Miles; 59 Swing\Lift Bridges. Bus pass journeys 21
Another short day, we planned to move along to Appley Bridge. The swing bridge just before the village has new landing stages, offside, ideal for single handed boaters. Unfortunately, they appear to have been designed and constructed by someone with little knowledge of boating. Who do we know that fits that description? Evens favourite - BW.
No rubbing boards or even provision for them to be fitted. Someone has hung two rubber tyres to lessen the possible impact damage on one of them. The other is already partly overgrown.
Rounding the slight left hand bend before our intended mooring; we recognised the boat that we passed just before we stopped. We had the misfortune to follow it down the Ashton flight last year and also shared the Rochdale nine. The owner was the laziest human lookalike that we had ever encountered whilst boating. He was deliberately slow and was expecting us to close gates and operate paddles for him. We were making him do most of his share, but it was hard work continually pushing him. He was surprised when on the Rochdale nine; we tied the boats together and kicked his lazy backside off the boat and onto the lockside. He was made to wind paddles and open and close gates. He did more than his share on those nine locks, believe me!
We discovered that the only choice of destination by bus was Wigan or the local hospital. We wandered around the village instead. Buildings can be really beautiful when the slates are shining and the rain is dripping off the guttering. There were some nice ones in Appley Bridge; however, owing to the rain, we made do with a cursory glance as we walked by.
Weather - Showers, some heavy, easing a bit in the evening.
