Wet and windy, that’s a description of the weather, not our attitude to tackling the eighteen locks of the Aston Canal. There was no sign of anybody, naughty or not, as we set off at eight o’clock, but the foul weather saw to that as well as the gentrified accommodation which has incorporated the original cranes and basins that have replaced all the old foundries and factories at Ancoats. Our progress was slowed at lock two where the water in the pound was reduced to protect a dam that separated the canal from a new marina that was in its final stages of construction next to the high rise apartments at Islington Wharf.
The Beswick section of locks is beside the impressive Sport City Stadium, which was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and is now home to Manchester City Football Club as well as a host of other sporting centres. The weather was truly appalling, but Jacquie preferred to work the locks rather than trying to control the boat is the high winds. The sighting of an Aldi store near lock 13 was all it needed for Jacquie to insist that we pause for some essential supplies and a spot of lunch and I took the opportunity to light the stove to help us warm up and dry out for when we finally reached our destination.
The wind dropped and for the last few locks and a couple of swing bridges Jacquie took the helm and I applied the muscle, by the time we reached Portland Basin at the Dukinfield Junction with the Hudderfield Narrow and the Peak Forest Canals, the rain had stopped and we also felt the need to stop.
We entered The Portland Basin Marina only to find that it didn’t open out as we expected, but got tighter and tighter, but we were given a warm welcome and invited to tie up for the night alongside the service area.
We stopped for a late lunch, before carrying on another couple of hours to Haskayne. The Ship Inn sounded quite appealing in the Nicholson’s Guide, but we weren’t so sure when we arrived, but it was too late to go any further and in fact the food was simple fayre, but good. The only problem was, that last orders for food was 8.15, not a problem for us, as we were there in plenty of time, until it came to order desert at 8.30 and was told that the kitchen was closed, however the land lady did manage to rustle up cold apple pie and ice cream for the boys and just ice cream for the girls.
There were four boats in total waiting to be escorted into Liverpool and the skippers were given a briefing by the two friendly BW chaps, but we had re-read the skippers notes and studied the map of the docks last night and felt confident about what lay ahead. BW would operate the two swing bridges and we should try to keep together to minimise the delay to traffic, the second one should be reached in about forty minutes. We would then be on our own until we reached Stanley Locks which would take at least another two hours. A stop at Litherland Services, just before Bootle was expected, for pumpout, rubbish etc. and a quick nip into the large Tesco’s if required.
Our route was clearly marked by strings of orange buoys and they lead us into a cutting through several filled in docks and then into a newly constructed lock, again BW were on hand to operate the lock and immediately we entered the first of three tunnels, emerging briefly for views of the Three Graces, The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. Another lock and we were in Canning Dock passing several dry docks before entering the famous Albert Dock and passing into our home for the next few days, Salthouse Dock.
Our allocated berth was Pontoon S8 tucked into the corner and sheltered from the wind. We were soon plugged into the shore power and the pumpout boat was quickly alongside, following our phone call to Liverpool Marina and the charge was still only £10. If we had asked for diesel, the operator would have ensured that he had some on board and at 78p a litre, it would have made sense to have filled our tank. Sadly my camera battery also ran flat, so some of the pictures shown were taken on our return journey. 
A quick wash and brush up and we were out for a preliminary reconnoitre of what Albert Dock had to offer. The weather was decidedly stormy, but we managed to escape the worst of the rain. It was a difficult deciding which restaurant that we would grace with our presence later, but Miller & Carter was eventually selected and didn’t disappoint.
First thing in the morning before all of the above I walked Dug back down to the Rufford Branch and what a picturesque junction this is. An old dry dock surrounded by cottages is tucked in between the tow path bridge and the top lock and little swing bridge, one of the cottages is for sale, tempting, but not yet!
Brian and Ann arrived late in the afternoon after a tiring three hour journey, but a glass or two and then supper and they were relaxed. An early night was called for as we had fourteen miles and numerous swing bridges to negotiate before we would arrive at Bridge Ten tomorrow, this was where the guys from BW said that we should overnight before meeting up with them on Friday morning at Bridge Nine at nine o’clock.
Bridge Ten was one of those only occasionally used by farm traffic and is almost equidistant between the M57 and M58 motorways, but far enough away to ensure a peaceful night’s mooring. The only thing spoiling the tranquillity of this spot was the smell of bad eggs, our remaining three batteries obviously complaining and within a couple of hours the ‘Low Battery’ warning light was flashing on the inverter, it looks like we will definitely have to replace them as soon as possible.
As we approached Burscough Bridge a interesting boat called Elizabeth caught the eye, how the owner managed to get his motorbike perched on the gunnel is a bit of a mystery. 
We moored for the night just before the town, but an evening walk with Duggie revealed a decent sized Tesco’s, but most importantly, a car park, with no restrictions that backed right up to the tow path, ideal for when Ann and Brian join us again on Wednesday. The old wharf has just emerged from a major refurbishment, interesting shops, including one selling delicious ice cream, a tea shop and a smart restaurant surround the courtyard and there is also the beginnings of a chandlery. Boaters services have also been reopened with all the usual facilities, but no pumpout.