We have had a relaxing few days on the River Weaver, although we have not done very much.  As we spent time here last year we decided that rather than have a full tour of the entire navigable length we would just potter around and visit Northwich, which we failed to do last year.

After mooring at the bottom of the lift overnight we took the dogs for a nice long walk before setting off for Northwich.  This was a very long trip taking at least an hour (well probably half an hour!!).  Found a mooring spot and then set off to explore Northwich.  Quite a nice little town with plenty of butchers shops where we managed to purchase a pork pie, to eat with salad for tea.  Very nice it was too!!  Also found a Matalan and I bought four new T shirts and two shirts. Haha!! last of the big spenders at £3:00 for a T shirt and shirts at a tenner each.  Bad news though as the next day I realised I had picked up the wrong size shirt:-((

Northwich Town Bridge

On Saturday morning we had a late start before setting of for the moorings at the top of Vale Royal Lock.  Hakuna Matata are now down here as they went past as we were eating breakfast.  A bit of a late start but we left Northwich and headed down two sets of locks to the moorings.

Hunts Lock

One of the many impressive bridges on the River Weaver

Vale Royal Locks (the big lock that we didn't use)

Valer Royal Lock

 Moored up overnight at the moorings above Vale Royal Locks.  While we were moored a large flock(?) of geese with loads of goslings came by for an evening swim.

Sunday morning we had a lie in, didn't wake up until 7:30am.  The poor dogs had their legs crossed!  After a good long walk we set off, heading back to Northwich to change my shirt at Matalan.  Vale Royal Lock was ready to enter when we arrived as we had phoned ahead to tell the Lock keeper we were on the way (love it).  We entered and waited for another boat that was on the way.

Waiting in the lock for another boat to arrive

It's coming in now!

Always a variety of boats on rivers!

These are big locks but still manually operated by the lock keepers

Fresh water mussels on the lock wall

Yarwood Basin, the historic site of Yarwood Boat Builders

Having negotiated the locks we stopped at Northwich to exchange the shirt, fill up with water and empty the toilet.  Carried on to the bottom of Anderton Lift and booked up to go back onto the Trent and Mersey.

Watching the gongoozlers from the Anderton Lift!

View of the Weaver from the Anderton Lift

 Back on the Trent and Mersey and there are two tunnels to negotiate before mooring up for the evening.  Both are single width only, so there is no room for boats to pass inside the tunnels.  Barnton tunnel is ok as it is straight enough that the end is in sight and therefore you can proceed as long as there is not a boat coming in the other direction.  But Saltersford Tunnel is definitely not straight and so entry is timed.  We arrived just a bit too late so had to wait for half an hour before we could enter.

Entering Barnton Tunnel

Inside Barnton Tunnel

Waiting to enter Saltesford Tunnel

Entering Saltesford Tunnel

Moored up for the evening and a lovely sunny evening so sat outside with a beer and the dogs had a swim, which they love.