After another night at Haigh Hall and a beautiful sunset, I enjoy 9 miles of lock free cruising before mooring just below the bottom lock of the Johnson's Hill flight of 7 locks. Get chatting to very nice couple, Rick and Gill, on Nots O Swift and we agree to tackle the locks together in the morning. We just get in the first lock before another two boats appear - as it transpires, I wish we had let them go first.
There is a shortage of water again, even worse than Wigan and this pound (the stretch between locks) was completely dry - Rick has gone ahead to let water down and you can just make out the water gushing into the next lock in the middle of the picture.
Rick and Gill live in Spain and are picking up 3 Spanish friends for a couple of nights on their boat. They arrive near the top lock and we all adjourn to the Top Lock pub for some reward. English is the order of the day as Gill is teaching two of them English back in Spain. They set off while I give James a walk before following on. Strangely enough I find them moored up at the next pub. Moorings are full but I find a pleasant spot a bit further on and moor up for the night. It would be rude not to walk back and share another pint, wouldn't it?
5 miles; 7 locks
TOTAL: 433 miles (134 miles broad, 40 miles river); 205 locks (77 broad); 34 moveable bridges
TOTAL: 433 miles (134 miles broad, 40 miles river); 205 locks (77 broad); 34 moveable bridges
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