It seemed a long time since we reached the dry dock and left Knot-a-Yot for work on its bottom. Plans changed when the Anderton Boat Lift broke down (just after we’d been on it) so we couldn’t get back onto the canal. Then we got stuck in the dry dock for a couple of weeks and finally got it onto the river where it remained moored (thanks to Matt and his family) until Wednesday this week when we set off to go down onto the Manchester Ship Canal. Of course, I didn’t realise how exciting this trip was going to be – just us and another barge, Kingfisher, that had been with us in the dry dock and needed to get back to Todmorden. It was raining when we set off and a bit chilly after weeks of sun. We had to go through three large locks, all manned so no real effort apart from trying to keep the boat at the side as the gates closed, the water emptied downstream, and the other gates opened....
My owners wanted me to post these pictures and notes to let you know what it's like being a beagle.