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We’ve just returned from our first cruise of the season over the past two days, from our home mooring at Sherborne Wharf to Wolverhampton and back. It’s always nice to be cruising again, and we identified a few items that need fixing after the winter before we start cruising again.
There’s a new swing bridge across the canal which provides a level link to the Black Country Living Museum and the boarding point for the trip boats into Dudley Tunnel. The tunnel portal is just visible in the background.
Dudley Tunnel Trip Boats
The trip boats are electric and have a low height so they fit into Dudley Tunnel which has such a low profile that most narrowboats will not fit inside.
It was early yesterday morning when I arrived in Wigan by train. I was on the way to help Geoff and Mags on Seyella come down the Wigan Flight.
Waiouru in Wigan
I paused to say hello to Jan on Waiouru as I walked past on the way to the top of the Wigan Flight.
Seyella at Wigan Top Lock
Meg spotted my arrival at the top of the flight as she waited patiently outside Seyella.
Wigan Top Lock
It was a lovely day once the sun had come out and Wigan Top Lock looked very welcoming.
Mags steering Seyella
There were no boats within the flight so I lifted one top paddle on the locks near the top of the flight so they would be full by the time we came down. Geoff went ahead to open the gate and see the boat in safely as Mags steered Seyella and I shut the paddles and gates behind.
Geoff winding paddles down the Wigan Flight
Geoff and Mags are used to working together and there was no need to hold the boat on the centre rope as the locks are gentle when emptying.
Jan arrives from Waiouru
Jan walked up from Waiouru and met us part way down the flight, providing another pair of hands.
Jan winding the gate shut
Some of the locks have winding hear to help close the gates.
Jan having fun on the Wigan Flight
Jan seems to be having fun – it’s not often that happens on the heavy locks of the Wigan Flight.
Meg, Geoff and Mags at Poolstock Bottom Lock
Jan left us at the bottom lock of the main flight and I stayed on board to help with the two Poolstock Locks.
I left Meg, Geoff and Mags looking very happy at Poolstock Bottom Lock. It took four and a half hours from top to bottom, including a stop for a brew half way down with four of us working well together – it would have taken Geoff and Mags much longer on their own. The 21 locks in the main Wigan Flight, plus two at Poolstock, are hard work, with some of them being very hard work.
I paused to help Jan with a minor problem as I walked back to the station and caught the train home.
