Well, I did offer! And now’s the time to get things under way!

 

9am start at Rufford and a mad rush to get up the Branch and on through Parbold and Wigan before BW lock the locks. Must get down Poolstock – the last two locks down onto the Leigh Branch – so that I can be sure of getting in to Castlefield in Manchester for when Justin and his party arrive on Friday afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

Gail volunteered to help on this and was soon dropping the locks for, as usual on our Branch, if you’re the first in the morning going up, all are full – pretty much down to worn out lock gates filling all night! We had a system though for the seven locks; she walked on and emptied, saw me in and left me to rise and close! We’ve been a team for 28 years now (married for 26) and don’t know where I would be without her. In fact, while I think of it, if she didn’t support me in this by holding the fort at home and with the business, I couldn’t have offered my help – cheers me duck!

 

 

 

It soon dawned on me as I closed in on Wigan that, with locks being locked at 4pm, I would never get through and down. Called the lovely Andrea at BW in Wigan, explained the problem and pretty soon had a call from the local foreman saying don’t worry, the bank-side staff doing the locking (up) would wait for me and see me through. Sure enough, there they were, locks set and waving us through. I have been known to give em a bit of stick, but this is how it used to be I am told and hopefully with all the changes due in the next couple of years this is how it will be – interaction and help for the customers.

So, by 6.15 we were at the target – Dover Lock (which isn’t one any more but don’t let me confuse you).

Gail’s lift was waiting and so the 9 hour trip she made getting to Dover by boat took 25 minutes by car getting back – I know what bit we both prefer!