Left New Islington at 7.30 am and arrived River Irk Aqueduct( the first nice place to moor up ) at 3.30. We didn’t stop , just kept on going. 2 dry pounds had to be flushed with water, and then Mick entered SLaters High Lock he was met with something in the bottom that stopped poor Trundle dead in the water.  Loads of things went over inside the boat, but not too much damage. I guess it was a concrete or metal block.

Perhaps we will report it. No other boats to be seen.  All double locks against us . Phew.  After 2 locks Mick was down the weedhatch. And then twice more. Mostly clothes and plastic bags. towpath full  of dog muck, and rubber jonnies.!!!!!!

A dreadful looking place called Newton Heath, and I received help from a hoodie, and he gave me my windlass back. !!!  There was also a bit of dealing going on. Then some small kid came up on a bike and when we looked at him he looked just like that banjo player in DELIVERANCE. We left him playing with the lock gate…….Lock gate opens, lock gate closes, opens, closes.

Going under a road tunnel to get to the lock , my nostrils were assailed with the headiest aroma of wee I have EVER smelt. There was a pub by the lock, and 2 drunks( 11.45 in the morning), gave me a rendition of Rosie and Jim. Asked for a fag, and then asked  why was I doing all the work. And that it “ weren;t right ,is that, while fella on t’back is doing nowt”.  I just ignored them.

We found it all very dreary and disheartening, but what was keeping us going is the fact that we are heading towards beautiful scenery……eventually.

So,we reckon there must be a safe mooring at River Irk Aqueduct, and as we came around the corner what did we see ???????????????????????????????????????

ANOTHER BOAT !!!!!!!  They looked at us, and we looked at them, and we all just grinned, John( close your eyes and he sounds just like Frank Skinner, open them and he looks just like Seth Armstrong from Emmerdale) signalled us to pull up behind them.  So the wine and beer came out as we toasted the fact that we were all no longer on our own.

We agreed a time for the morning. We were in bed at 8pm,. And asleep about 2 mins later.

Monday( today), and we have done the Slattock flight of locks in 2.15 hours. !!!!  2 boats working together is grand.

What a hoot, 2 locks away from a canal side pub, and we had met a runner coming down. He informed us to beware, as a couple in the pub garden were shagging each others brains out.  He also said “ at this time of the morning !!!!!”.  is there a set time then ???   anway, John and I both got our cameras at the ready. But we had a feeling by the time we got there, it would be all over.  John reckons youngsters do not have the stamina.  One lock away, and John said “ I’m off to get the lock ready, then !”..I ensured that he had his camera ready.  Well sad or perhaps fortunately  we didn’t see ‘owt.  We had a good look, but there was just a rather hefty young lady?  Texting away like mad. !   We agreed that if she had been one of the twosome, it would have put us off our lunch.  

Tomorrow, and more leisurely cruise with just a few locks to Littleborough. Great.  And this evening we are all going to have a beer at " That Pub".  Our fave northern brewer.....J.W.Lees.