Descending 230 feet

 Horses sunbathing

Today started with this lovely sight - the three horses we were watching last night were partly hidden, lying down enjoying the early morning sunshine. We decided to set off early, to try to reach the Wigan flight in good time.

 Dogs swimming

Almost immediately we met this woman with her two black Labradors in the water. They each had an old plastic drinks bottle which they were constantly crunching, while they swam along as she walked. They were loving it and swam happily back and forth across the canal.

 Cows paddling

 Looking down the Wigan flight

We stopped for diesel and water at a boatyard, and then reached the top of the Wigan flight at about noon. We had a bite to eat and then set about the first lock. Alas there was no-one to share the load with and the locks appeared to be set against us - it was going to be a long afternoon. We gradually made our way down, meeting a couple of boats coming up on the way. As we got to lock number 12, two guys passing said that there was a boat a couple of locks ahead of us. Angela set off to catch them up to see if they would wait for us so that we could share the remaining locks. The guy on the boat was alone, but waiting for a mate to join him, and happy to wait for us. So, as we approaced lock 14, we joined John and James. After a spot of shopping at the local Spar, we were off agin, but now able to move more quickly and easily. After a few locks, we came to one which had a large group of youths swimming in it. As we pulled in. one of them jumped on Banjo and did a Titanic impression on the bow. Thankfully he got off again without further incident and the rest of the group were putting their clothes back on as we left!

 Grockles

We reached the bottom of the flight and then turned left onto the Leigh branch of the Leeds and Liverpool canal, where they last 2 locks for the day were soon upon us. Another large group gathered at the second lock, to watch what we were doing.

 A reservoir at sunset

Once clear of the locks we headed east past several reservoirs and nature reserves. It was a lovely end to a very energetic day, with loads of waterfowl and a beautiful sunset.

Tonight's mooring

 We moored up behind John and James and finally turned the engine off, 12 hours after we started it. Now we have to decide which way to head tomorrow - into Manchester or southward towards the Shropshire Union canal.