Day 19: back down to the boat and the Rochdale 9!

4th September. It is confirmed. We are mad. This is how today went. We had a lie in at home. We did not expect the canal to re-open until Friday and therefore a few lazy days pottering around the house. We were sat in our dining room, having a cup of coffee. It was 10am and the sun was shining. It was warm and dry and little wind. In fact a great boating day and we were stuck at home.

Just then my iPod went bing. An email had just dropped in. I had a look at my emails half expecting more junk mail. It was an update from CART. I had signed up to regular updates. Guest what? The canal was open. But it was only 10am. I bet it was open late yesterday.

Well now it was all hands to the pump. Get ready! Get packed! Car refuelled. Food! Etc...

The plan was to get back to Manchester. Do the Rochdale 9 and moor at the safe New Islington basin overnight. I had already booked passage on Thursday to go up the Manchester 18!

From being sat at home at 10am to starting up the Rochdale 9 at 3pm. Then getting to New Islington basin around 5pm. Then walking back down the Rochdale 9 to retrieve the car. Then driving back to Sowerby Bridge to leave the car there. Then getting the train back to Manchester and walking back to the boat at 10pm. Yep, must be mad but the adventure continues!!!