Andrew, to reassure you, Iain and I did the route you are taking a few weeks ago and we didn't encounter any people problems at all. In fact, I felt quite safe lockwheeling - mind you I had a windlass in my hand and at least two dogs with me :-) Most folk we met on the towpath were quite happy to chat as we went by . We moored overnight at Portland basin and we were in luck cos it was one of the nights when the restaurant was open and we treated ourselves to a decent meal. Otherwise it would have been the emergency rations as there is no way out of the basin on foot after the gate is locked, presumably when the museum closes. I found the locks OK till we got to the Rochdale 9 when I wimped out we swapped places and Iain did the locks. Had to do some nifty manoeuvring pick him up though, especially where the towpath was several inches deep in water - and it was raining. We encountered a group of Goths part way down but apart from a lot of noise, they were fine. One chap did stand on the side gunwale but I just joked with him and he got off. When we got to Lymm we broke with our tradition and had an Indian meal (very nice) instead of our usual Italian job at the Tratiori Bacci.
Enjoy your trip and I am enjoying hearing about it, Ann
