Bridges great and small

traditional arched bridge

It was sunny again when we woke. At this rate I’ll be out of sunscreen. It was peaceful this morning and the Douglas valley was lovely. I arranged to meet my aunt and uncle tomorrow wondering how Lottie would react to strangers visiting her boat.

Modern road and rail bridges

I cunningly worked the first lock leaving the Captain to do the second one as it was called Deep lock. The boat descended smoothly into the depths but the Captain declared it was no harder to open than the shallower ones we had struggled with.

While we were locking I reflected on the three modes of transport running alongside each other – canal, road and rail. Then along came three ponies adding to the transport tally as the horse preceded the other three.

amazing reflections

The Captain tackled the first swing bridge which required muscle not electronics to work but he declared it was easy to operate. The following swing bridges were open or derelict.

Today we saw bridges of all kinds as there were also traditional arched bridges and modern concrete ones soaring high above us.

 

weeping willow

We moored at Parbold. After lunch we cleaned the boat, a task we normally reserve for wet days. However the wet day was spent locking up in Stoke.

After our labour we cruised on taking on water at the Rufford branch. We looked at the locks there and I helped a lady open a gate.

Stark beauty of dead tree

“Are they all this heavy?” I asked.

“Yes. I’ve had enough of locking.”  

Her face was red and she looked hot so why didn’t her Captain share the lock work with her? I’ve noticed lots of women work the locks while the men drive the boat, surely the men should take their turn. On our boat we share the lock work. Are the men lazy or are the women afraid of driving the boat? I suspect it’s 50/50.

Converted windmill

Our problem now became finding a mooring as the banks slope away from the water making it hard to get close. After a couple of failed attempts we pulled the boat to within 10 inches of the bank. As no fenders will work we may bump now and then. Surprisingly Lottie, who can jump six foot gap, was reluctant to risk falling down the gap!