Bit of a cock up!

Towpath talk was arranged for 9am to discuss the days movements. We were all in agreement that mooring below Stockton locks and having a meal at the Two Boats pub was a good plan.We followed Roger and Pat who were a little concerned that they would hold us up but in truth were speedy Gonzales and we had a job to keep up with them! We made a right hander at Wigram turn and headed for Stockton locks

  Reaching the top of Stockton locks we were dismayed at seeing a boat waiting to go down. Where had they sprung from? It certainly wasnt in front so can only assume it had just set off.
Roger and I were at the helm of our boats while Ian and Pat taking it in turns to walk ahead to set the next lock .

 It all went horribly wrong when Ian decided to bring us down at the 4th lock. What he failed to mention was that two boats were on there way up, the first boat was waiting in the pound and we were now waiting to exit the lock! So the sinario was that we had nowhere to go, nor had the waiting boat on the landing and nor had the two boats waiting to exit their lock. It was utter chaos!!!!

With a lot of shuffling and much hilarity we all sorted ourselves out and was once more underway. At the bottom of the flight we found a space long enough for both our boats and called it a day. Time was 13.20. Not a bad run taking us only 4.5 hours to do 6 miles and 13 locks. We all met for a meal at the Two Boats Inn, the food was good and they served real ale which pleased both Roger and Ian. A short walk back to the boat later and Roger and Pat joined us for drinks and nibbles leaving us a little after 10pm.

And finally:-