We had moored overnight just short of Wigan Top Lock so our day began with a short hop to the water point. We already knew, from Andrew's reconnaissance last night, that there were two other boats ahead of us to go down the flight as soon as it is unlocked at 8.30.
We were able to enter the flight just a couple of minutes before 9 - we first had to let the other boats go own and then refill the lock. Because of a substantial weed problem in the area, only the ground paddles of the top lock were available. Hence it took some time to fill.
As we worked through a trailer bearing a weed cutter was delivered to site. Alas we had to move on before we could see it actually launched into the water.
We soon built up a rhythm and were managing around 10 minutes per lock. Most of the morning was quite sunny.
The pub beside the top lock is still open, even if it did not look especially prosperous but the Navigation Inn a little further down is well and truly shut. No chance of squatters here. It is a noticeably large building.
Some of the pounds have rather large areas which can lead to significant circling currents. These are usually hard to detect (until the boat goes where it should not) but the surface weed made them all too obvious. (OK, so we have not captured it on a movie so you will just have to take our word for it!)
Most of the locks are the same depth although one or two are remarkably deep. Towards the end of the flight a couple are less than half the depth of the majority. Hence the access bridge across the lock tail has to climb much higher.
The former lock cottage takes its security seriously - almost Fort Knox.
The last lock we needed to do in the flight (there are two others that we did earlier in the year around the corner on the Liverpool direction) was 21 from the top. We exited at 12:25 - three and a half hours overall, not a record by any means but a quite respectable time. Much faster would require a significant team that could have each lock ready to enter and closed, with paddles raised to empty it almost instantaneously!
At the junction we turned left towards Leigh.
Just after the junction is the new bridge still under construction although since we were here in June the side rails look to be complete.
Soon after we arrived at the two Poolstock Locks where one boat was just leaving the first and another had almost emptied the second. Shortly after we moored for lunch at the by now familiar Stockman's Flash.
After lunch we continued along the level pound only interrupted by the Plank Lane lift bridge where we generated significant queues of cars despite ensuring that we did so for a little time as possible. No wonder the bridge is not available for boats during rush hours.
We moored for the night at Leigh Bridge where we locked up and walked into town to re-stock our food stores - Christine was especially keen to call at the butcher we have been to several times in the past. We came through the indoor market but were a tad disappointed by the two fruit and veg stalls. Their range was not as good as we remembered it. Finally, to Tesco for all the rest.
After we had returned to the boat, little but persistent drizzle arrived and we definitely to not overturn our previous plan to stay put for the night.
9.5 Miles - 23 Locks
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