Another early start after a restless night. Maybe we shouldn't have had corned beef with the salad yesterday, too much salt... Anyway, off we went before half seven again, Sheila steering and Bruce locking up the Wheelock flight in the morning sun. It's a pleasant flight to work, mostly paired locks so a better than average chance of having a good road.
As indeed we did today, always at least one lock empty until we got to the singleton in Malkin's Bank, which was full, naturally. Boats started appearing coming the other way as we got to the top. I decided I needed a break, so took over steering whilst Sheila worked up Hassal Green, Pierpoint and Thurlwood. We were by now crossing with other boats regularly, so there was always a lock with us, though it slowed progress to a degree waiting for each one to clear the lock ahead.
As yesterday, we'd expected to stop a bit early, above Pierpoint somewhere, thinking it would be too late to get a mooring at Rode Heath, but it became apparent that we'd be there not long after eleven, so pressed on. Sure enough, there were only two other boats here when we arrived but most of the slots, and all the good ones, had gone by the time we were eating lunch at midday.
Two good reasons for doing it this way: firstly, apparently we're in for another burst of hot weather, indeed it seems to have arrived, so boating on whilst it was moderately cool was a good idea. Secondly, this means that I've just done eight locks and Sheila six. Sheila will do six more tomorrow, up to the top of Church and I'll do six on Sunday, up Red Bull to the tunnel.
A later start tomorrow, maybe not until eight, even. It's only two hours or so and there's plenty of room on the towpath at Church Lawton. Mind you, it's a Saturday, so probably busy on the cut, so maybe we should get our boating done early...
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