16 miles, 30 locks

After having set off just before seven we made our way to the top of the locks for water (and showers). The Johnson’s Hillock flight are really well maintained and easy, though the bottom gates are heavy.

We were trying to get to the top of the Wigan flight by twelve noon. C&RT rules say the last entry is at 12:00 and they are locked at 4:00. We had to negotiate lines of moored boats and weedy water, both of which slowed us down.

We arrived a few minutes after 12, two boats were coming out and there was a single hander who asked if he could share with us.

Karen and Simon arrived, having walked up from the bottom. With them crewing we completed the flight in just under 3 hours. A walk round to work The Bath Tub up one lock, then through the Poolstock locks to moor up at Ince Moss.