We left our mooring late this morning mainly due to too much chatting with the couple from Amy who moored nearby last night.  Because of talking too much I also burnt my toast, well incinerated would be closer as it was so burnt that when I touched it it disintegrated.  whoops!!

When we eventually got going we went to the top of the navigable River Weaver and did food shopping at Winsford.  A fairly uninspiring place but it has an Asda.  Then turned the boat and headed downstream to what is apparently the prettier part of the river.

As we came back past last nights mooring I took a picture of the boat that was moored behind us.  You see all sorts on the waterways but I think the bloke on this boat is the best value so far.  last night he was chatting to Graham on the towpath and told him that he tends to catch all his food, shoots rabbits and so on.  He also invited Graham onto his boat to sample some of his home made 'whisky' which he produces in his own still.  Graham declined his kind offer.  As far as i know it is illegal to distill your own alcohol.  I don't like to think what it would taste like or what effect it would have if you drank it.  A very quiet rural mooring apart from this although by the end of the evening there were loads of boats all snuggled up there.

Went past the salt mines near Northwhich and a large chemical works at Winnington.  The River Weaver was once an important means of transport for these industries.

Also went under this viaduct.  I did have a better picture of the boat passing underneath it but haven't put it on here as Graham noticed what I had failed to spot.  There was a bag of dog poo on the roof of the boat.  Well at least it shows we pick up after our dogs I suppose.  Must find somewhere else to put it though as it spoiled the photo's.

Also passed several old working boats moored up in gangs!  The middle boat in the bottom picture is Perch, which we last saw on the Erewash Canal way back at the begining of this trip.  She was waiting to have repairs to her engine.

We came down two locks today, both manned, brilliant I love this way of operating locks, although sometimes phoning ahead to ensure the lock is set can be a bit exhausting, haha!  The picture below shows what I assume is the escape ladder in Hunts Lock.  The holes were full of freshwater mussels.  Not sure I would fancy having to climb up it though.

When we got to the moorings late this afternoon they were full.  However the boat on the end kindly moved up a bit closer to the boat in front of him and made enough room for us to get on the end.  Another lovely peaceful and rural mooring but with loads of boats there again.  Very nice spot though (see below) and the neighbours are very quiet!  Nearly forgot to say that it has been a lovely sunny day.  Don't like to complain but almost too hot.  It has however just started to rain so need to go and put some glass in the portholes and shut side doors!