FRIDAY. At Wigan, opposite the BW regional seat of Government
The 2008 trip thus far: 308 Locks; 580.5 Miles; 56 Swing\Lift Bridges. Bus pass journeys 21
Leigh was just awakening as we passed through this morning; everyone within range of a greeting or wave did just that; a friendly place. Even the two anglers spoke and smiled. I pinched myself, I was not dreaming.
We took on water at Plank Lane whilst chatting to the bridge keeper; the derelict pub and surrounding buildings are soon to be replaced by 500 houses and a Marina. Could the Marina be an ‘enabling development’? He warned us about Dover Lock Bridge, which has a leak in a water pipe belonging to United Utilities. BW told them about the leak days ago, and nothing has been done. Still, all the water companies have an extensive program to reduce leaks as a matter of priority. That means after the directors have been supplied with their new cars and expenses.
Judging by the pressure of water escaping from the pipe, the bridge will probably soon collapse owing to the mortar being washed out; Myra was told by one local woman that it had been leaking for nearly a week. Martlet had a free wash when going through the bridge hole.
Arriving at Wigan, we had hoped to moor up on the secure moorings outside British Waterways North West Area Offices. How naïve we were! The moorings would just allow three boats to moor up, if it were not for one factor. Bollards. Or more correctly; the absence thereof.
One bollard is situated at each boundary fence and one centrally; they did look nice and give a sort of waterways feel to staff looking out of the windows. The two boats moored there each had some 12 feet of rope out front and back to reach the bollards; an example if one were needed, of the ignorance of boating needs by our licensing authority.
Weather –Hazy sunshine, with hot intervals.
