Ask Harry about the Ribble!

Chris joined me on Thursday 15 July as planned, as I passed Barton Grange Nurseries! Mary couldn't come yet as she was looking after Chris' mum in Birmingham after a fall. After a VERY windy journey we arrived in the Link Basin at 4.30 - to find it full of boats. This was today's 7 boats who had gone down to the pontoons before lock 8, only to be told it was much too windy to go on the river, and the tide would be too high to stay overnight. Then then made their way back up the locks to the basin where we found them, two staying in the lock. We moored at a very jaunty angle by the bridge, later joined by nb Phyllis May on the other side.

The next morning at 8am unexpectedly (to only us it appeared, so we didn't have breakfast) BW arrived 3h early to say we were all to go down the locks, in pouring rain, to be ready to leave later, if possible. We got down to pontoons before lock 8 and were told to wait - we were now 12 boats! At 2pm we were all told it was too windy to go to Tarleton, but 2 were allowed to go to Preston.

At 1pm the next day (Sat 17) and still very windy, we were sent to the pontoons before the sealock - a point of no return, we would either go to Tarleton or Preston - depending on Harry the BW expert at Tarleton. We were also joined by 3 more boats going to Preston - all moored off 1 pontoon! We eat lunch on the back deck with a lot of nervous tension/excitement about! At 3.30 the air horn went and, with boats getting stuck on mud, a lot of shouting, we went thru the sea lock - to be told we were all going to Preston. It was a good journey, the wind had dropped, as Harry hoped, and we made it to the dock to moor on pontoons - actually it was a lovely atmosphere amongst the boaters bound for Tarleton. Mary was now travelling to join us.

After booking our departure at Preston Marina, a morning exploring round the dock (1km long), and purchases at Morrisons, we had a leisurely lunch. We were told to be ready to leave the pontoon at 3.30pm for a 4pm sailing - after they had "asked Harry". More nervous tension but we were soon on our way, despite some idiot trying to overtake before leaving the dock, coming too close and dragging us with him. Out on the river, being a slower boat we were soon overtaken by most boats but one stayed with us and we got thru Tarleton lock at 6.45. Here we met Harry - arm in sling as he had just had a new battery put in his pacemaker! Who is going to make decisions when he retires - he is no spring chicken and no one else can make the decision about sailings!

Now our plans have changed. As the L&L will be closed on 2 August, indefinitely, due to lack of water, we decided to travel south and then up to Ellesmere Port. When we got to Wigan, and travelling in heavy rain, we found the level at the junction was 18" down and we were struggling to move - good idea to go south! Spent a night at the lovely Ince Moss, and another at Lymm - another must.

At Anderton, my son Graham and grandson Edward arrived in the evening to spend the weekend. Next day after looking over the boat lift and enjoying the somewhat neglected children's activities, we set off. We decided to give the Weaver a miss again as 5 year old Edward was looking forward to working locks! A leisurely morning then a busy, long afternoon as we joined the many hire boats working up the flight into Middlewich, mooring for the night on the M. Branch, with a view of the Weaver. After tea introduced Edward to loud game of Mousie Mousie and then even louder Pit (I apologised to our neighbours in the morning!). The next day more locks in lovely sunshine, then stopped for a BBQ at Sykes Hollow, the lovely site provided by SUCS. Sadly Graham and Edward had to leave that pm after a lovely weekend with them.

Continued on to Chester where we had a total of 3 wonderful days exploring, before going on to spend a night at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum - there is so much to see there. Set off after lunch and returned to Chester for a night at Tower Wharf. Next day went to Beeston where we had a lovely morning at the castle before making our way down towards Nantwich. Here Chris and Mary left me after a very busy, thrilling almost 3 week cruise - they will be back later!

After babysitting in Lancashire, I left Nantwich and slowly made my back along the Middlewich Branch where I am now sitting, in rain and sun, looking down on the River Weaver.