Rudheath has just the two good moorings and we managed to get both of them. Shopping is a good mile away but, as I keep telling myself, the exercise does me good.

Stopped off at the Lyon Salt works. Always interesting. We have visited this attraction several times and each time it is just as interesting as the previous time with something new to discover about the people or the process.

Mooring either side of the facilities at Anderton can be a bit tricky as the bank is not 'boat friendly'. Moored up close to NB Marine Services who agreed that I could have some items delivered there from Merlin. for my attention. As it was the items were delivered to the wrong place but I managed to track them down. NB Marine Services was going to fit them for me but took so long to get anything organised that we decided we would continue our journey and get the work done later. It is rarely imperative that work is done 'right now'. I think that NB Marine Services were uncomfortable with fitting the Merlin SmarGuage as he had never seen one before.

Content

Dennis.

Rick Cooper.

Out in the sticks for a while to get away from the madding crowd.

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Through Lymm where we made a brief foray into town, not very interesting so didn't stay long, and on to Dunham Massey.

Stopped off at Trafford Park for lunch. Cruised past Broadheath where we spotted a car in the canal, not unique but definitely unusual. Continued on through Sale to the Manchester Ship Canal which we crossed on the Barton Swing Aqueduct. I would love to see it swinging. Eventually moored up close to Victoria Gardens.

Pennington Flash was very open with views across the flash which is ideal for twitchers (my no2) as there are over 230 species of birds here and lots of hides provided so that they do not disturb the birds. Needless to say I had difficulty dragging my No2 away so I was not too disappointed to have a supermarket within a half hours walk.

Topped up with water at Plank Lane Bridge. Stopped short of actually going in to Wigan today as we preferred to make a dash for it leaving plenty of time for a longish day.

We are getting to the heavy locks now. I suppose it is a double edged sword in that because the locks are for wide beams the gates are more than twice as heavy as the locks on the narrow system. The upside is that my No2 can take both boats into and out of the locks strapped together so we only work each lock once instead of twice.

The single lock at Appley is a replacement for two, now disused, that are still visible in the undergrowth if you decide to investigate. We were moored at the junction with the Rufford Arm which starts with four locks close together, nice for a walk but they are not on our agenda for this year.

Investigated the town and environs, good shopping, good transport links, good mooring. The local hardware shop did not have the sash clamp ends that I am after and refused to let me have them sent to the shop for my attention for a small fee.