Day 11 of our voyage. Weather overcast, cool. Threatening rain. Parbold to Haskayne. Totals:130 miles 64 locks, 4 tunnels.
I must mention on behalf of my owners how helpful we have found the locals and fellow travellers during our lock transits as we move through Lancashire towards Liverpool. Our journey yesterday was not easy and made even more difficult by the adverse weather.
Today, we have no more locks for a while. We set off at a leisurely pace and after only a couple of miles our first resistance was a swing bridge that stubbornly refused to swing. It was a mechanical breakdown but after about half an hour of messing about and resetting, it swung. The next swing bridge, just a few miles later, refused to swing. This time the engineers were on the case and we waited. This was good for me as I could come and go as I pleased. After an hour, they managed to open it for canal traffic. – us, nobody else seems to be travelling, maybe there is a message here!
Next another shut swing bridge! This one closed until 4:00 pm – we arrived at 1:00 pm. The pub opposite was not serving food but was nonetheless handy for our wait, it was serving all liquids that humans drink.
At least it is not raining and we are not in a hurry. We got through this third swing bridge at 4.00 pm
I had a great time this afternoon. A big brown mutt spotted me coming along on the other side of the canal. I gave him my special look at which he obviously took offence and raced along the tow path barking in a most ferocious manner. What a racket and his owner dressed in his best string vest in hot pursuit tried to recall him. I walked calmly beside the long haired one, which appeared to irritate him, anyway, he was totally out of control and so engrossed in disturbing the peace of the afternoon he jumped and barked madly and with an almighty splash he fell in….that rather stopped his barking. I glanced at his struggle to get out and left him to his owner’s displeasure, who appeared to be speaking in another language where all words began with an F.
Having travelled just a few miles all day, interestingly along the Douglas Valley, we arrived at the Ship pub, our RV point to meet up with old friends and our next crew change! See photo. This is me and my friends who will be joining us later in our voyage.
I played with Bob from the Labrador tribe in the pub garden and as it was a very dog friendly pub, I was allowed to join them for dinner, I did not get as much as they had.
Sent from my iPad
Send us all a picture of your special look, Douglas. We would love to see it.
Yes I agree with Noah (above) a phot of your special look would be great to see.
Oh and Douglas…men who wear stringed vests and only speak in words beginning with ‘F’ are to be steered well clear of.
My Dad used to wear a string vest…usually with a gravy stain down the front just like Stan Ogden off Coronation Street,….Nice…NOT!!
Nointhg I could say would give you undue credit for this story.