12th 13th & 14th May

The lack of things to post combined with either a poor signal or being out eating or drinking is my excuse.

Thursday, we had a short trip, of six miles to Wigan, moored up and went into town to find the shops, as we expected this to be the last shop big shop before we crossed the River Ribble on Sunday. We found Jo's favorite shop and did most of our shopping in there and were pleased to find that they were doing their "two meals for ten pounds" deal. Returned to the boat for lunch, and set off again passing the Wigan Pier. Moored up just past bridge forty seven. 10 miles.
On this day in 1937 the Coronation of George V.

Friday the 13th, Started cruising at 8.30 a.m. A few locks to break the monotony and then we arrived at the Lathom locks. These were strange locks with peculiar paddle gear etc. and were only sixty two feet long. I give you these details for a good reason. On the third lock down we had entered the lock and Graham and I were passing the time as the boats descended the locks, when we both noticed that our boats were tipping up, bows down. Yes some of you have guessed it the sterns were stuck on the cill. After a lot of frantic shouting the girls got the paddles closed, not an easy job as they were the hydraulic slow moving type. In the mean time not only had Acen got its bow down but it started to list to port. At this time there was a lot of crashing, smashing and other undesirable noises emitting from the inside of the boat. Then we both managed to get the boats off the cill, with a huge grinding from Acen and the tiller rising a good foot extra from the deck, the boats landed in the water. Wow.
Fortunately no one was hurt. Inside Acen was different, most of the damage was to some of the drinking glasses (about 6) that had fallen out of the wall cupboards, smashed glass was every where. Things like tins and bottles had fallen out of cupboards, the table had fallen over, table lamps had fallen of surfaces, but fortunately none were broken.
Autumn Years got off the cill a bit quicker and was undamaged.
We breasted up with Autumn Years and Graham drove us down the remaining locks.
We then had a go at getting the tiller/rudder back into place, with me whacking the rudder with the lump hammer and Graham pulling and pushing the tiller we managed to get it down to its almost proper position. We then set off to bellow Rufford lock, to moor for the night. Thats Friday 13th over. 8 locks 10 miles.
On this day in 1643 Oliver Cromwell Defeated the Royalists at Grantham

Saturday, cruised to Tarleton, ready for the crossing on Sunday of The Ribble Link.
Full engine check, clear the roof of any thing that was loose, prepared the anchor and got the life jackets out for us and the dogs. Found an Italian restaurant for us to go to in the evening.
1 lock, 3.5 miles.
On this day in 1264 King Henry lll captured Simon De Montfort at Lewis.