Day : Monday
Date : 9 September 2019
Start : 0910
Finish : 1650 Rookery moorings
I have uploaded our proposed route to Canal Planer AC https://canalplan.eu/journey/12200_cp if anyone wants to see where we are likely to be. It gets updated with actual position each night.
As expected we woke to the sound of rain, just after 9 a boat went by so we quickly followed him, knowing if he went through the tunnel and there was someone waiting to come the other way we could wait for a hour and a half. When we arrived at the tunnel having met 3 other boats we were told it would be another 40 minutes as there was another boat coming through. Horn and lights were checked, number of people and pets on board recorded, licence details noted. Once the oncoming boat had cleared the tunnel we were on our way, number 3 in a line of 4. Not my fastest transit, a lot was spent on tick over but we made it safely. On the point of safety this is part of the communication system CRT installed in the tunnel following a death a few years back. I am not sure how effective it is.
Yet again I failed miserably to get a photo of the skeleton in the tunnel, one day I will press the shutter at the right moment.
When we cleared the tunnel it was still raining and this continued until bout 3pm. We had quite good luck with the locks and meeting people, we turned a few and closed a few but I don't think we turned and closed a single one, such was the flow of boats up the flight. Most of the 26 locks are paired but today there were 6 out of action, all towpath side, numbers 66, 60, 50, 52, 44, 42 in addition to that there were at least two paddles out one on 41 and the other on 50, so if the other paddle on 50 fails its the flight closed.
Down at lock 52 CRT were just starting preparing to change the top gate, I thought the name of the flat they are using ironic considering its the Lawton flight. CRT have a yard not far below the flight and they were loading equipment including a new gate as we passed.
Over the passed few years every time we have passed through Hassall Green I have photographed the old Romping Donkey pub I would like to think that the featured walls inside are original but I have my doubts.
At lock 62 the wooden fender board has now snapped right through, I doubt it will get replaced, but this brought a smile to my face, that and it had stopped raining, its not just fishermen who watch the float it seems.
We were due to moor at Malkin's Bank but as we were having such a good run with the lock we continued down the flight finding the last two locks against us, but even then we could leave the exit gates open. Nearly all the Wheelock visitor moorings were taken and we didn't want to be up by the road bridge so we carried on to some good moorings just before Rookery Railway bridge at Sandbach where we are moored behind the Wool Boat
Today's Journey 11½ Miles 26 Locks in 7¾ hours
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