Friday 9th November

Cleaning day! BOO!!

With 10 locks still to do, wash the boat and pack we couldn't hang about in bed drinking tea for long this morning. One boat went past us heading towards Elton Moss whilst we had our cereal, so likely hood was that the locks would be against us. Micks cold was getting much better but mine was developing a nice cough. So I was looking forward to weezing down the locks.

Another boat appeared just above lock 56 so off we set before they could steal any of the locks that might be in our favour. Down the first few with only having to fill the single locks and then we were caught up. It turned out to be NB Alcedonia (another Carefree Boat) who had three chaps on board. We started going through the locks almost together. I'd let Mick into the fullest lock, lift a paddle on the lock next to us. By the time Mick was in our lock one of the crew from Alcedonia had joined us closing the top gate. They then would help with the bottom gates whilst they waited for theirs to have emptied. We got into quite a rhythm on the double locks. So we speeded down the last 10 locks of our trip and pulled in shortly before the water point at Wheelock to start our chores, well, after a cuppa and the last of the biscuits.

Out with the buckets and cloths. We are quite accustomed to washing the boat now, but I still have to tell Mick who does what and in what order. It must be his age! One side of the boat looking good and brass polished on that side off to fill with water and get rid of the rubbish.

We reached Elton Moss about 2.30pm to start on the the other side as the chaps from Alcedonia were packing their car and heading for home. This is the second time we've washed the boat in rain! It does seem strange but I'm sure it does make a difference, you at least know you've washed the mud off even if you can't tell.

Windows, oven etc cleaned, most things packed we were off to The Fox for some food. We knew it wouldn't be anything special as we've been before but didn't want to have to drive into Sandbach tonight. Starters were okay, followed by Fish and Chips and Liver and onions. My fish seemed incredibly generous, it was, as it was two fillets in one, which did mean that the middle wasn't cooked too well. A couple of pints of Bombardier and back to try finishing some wine off.

4.5miles, 10 locks, 1 heron, 1 soaking, 2 fillets of haddock, 4 pints, 1 washing machine

Smart gauge at start of day 97