On Tuesday we made our way back to the Anderton Lift and moored up overnight so that we could go to the office the next day and go back up onto the Trent and Mersey Canal.  I phoned the lock keeper as we approached Saltersford Lock and he obviously thought that I didn't know where we were.  Asked if I was sure I was phoning the right lock and then was I sure we were going up.  Having clarified this he then let me know that we may have to wait as there was a boat coming down.  My heart always sinks when some bloke calls me love and asks if I'm sure I know what I am on about.  May have to get the Mister, otherwise known as Graham, to talk to lockie's in future (haha).

Walked the dogs on Wednesday morning ending up at the booking office and went in to book the lift.  Was informed that the Weaver is closed due to the fast flow, although the lift is still working.  This is good as it means we can get back onto the canal today.  The river has now been closed twice within the week we have been on it (are we jinxing it).

Going up in the Anderton Lift

The River Weaver seen from the Anderton Lift

Exiting the Lift

Now back on the Trent and Mersey Canal and have to stop at Northwich to take Truly to the vet for her annual booster jab.  Graham found a vet on the internet which is close to the canal and they said if we gave them a ring when we were close they would fit us in.  Got an appointment for 5:00pm which all went well and then went to Tesco for a few essential items.  Bought fish and chips on the way back which tasted good!

Today (Thursday) has been a long day.  Originally we said we would moor up early but ended up cruising until 5:00pm.  We stopped of in Middlewich for the rest of the shopping but when we were finished decided to carry on and find a quiet rural mooring.  Lots of boats around today, especially Black Prince hire boats, which are due back at base (Acton Bridge) early Saturday morning.  Came through the locks at Middlewich and turned onto the Shropshire Union Canal.  Moored up in a nice quiet and empty spot, but two other boats have had the same idea so there are now three of us.  Next destination is Chester and then Ellsmere Port.  Six locks today all of which we had to work ourselves.  I have got quite used to lock keepers doing it for me, back to reality now.

Croxton Aquaduct

Some of the bridges are split to allow the tow rope in horse drawn days to pass through

Yesterday morning (Sunday) we took the dogs for a walk over the top of Barnton Tunnel and back along the Trent and Mersey Canal to Saltersford Tunnel where we came back onto the River Weaver.  Walked along to Saltersford Lock and spoke to the lock keeper who tells us that the navigation is open today.  So normal service is resumed and we went back to the boat and prepared to leave the mooring and continue the cruise of the Weaver.  Phoned the lock keeper to let him know we were on our way and cruised on down to the lock which was ready and waiting for us.  Had a chat with the lockie who told us that the next lock (Dutton) had a problem with the gates and suggested we give them a ring when we got to Acton Bridge to see if they were open for business.  As we are stopping of at Acton Bridge for water and toilet emptying this fits in with our plans anyway.

A sad sight.  Nice funnel though!

Bad news the facilities at Acton Bridge are out of order (permanently I think).  But phoned Dutton Lock, who have sorted out their problems so continued on.  When we arrived we tied up on the lock landing as five narrow boats were coming up in the lock.  Spoke to the guy on the boat moored up on the visitor moorings who is based on the Ashby Canal, boating is a small world!

Not often you see five narrow boats breasted up in a lock!

Viaduct below Dutton Locks

We moored up for the evening at the Devil's Garden.  Not sure where the name comes from.  We had been recommended these moorings by another boater who said it would be good for the dogs.  Sadly this was not the case as there were cows in the field and the lovely Truly rolled in dung and Jake was eating it.  There was also an incident where they almost chased the cows but we manged to put a stop to that before they got carried away.  Bit disconcerting having a cow looking in through the porthole as you are cooking dinner!

And through the round window!

This morning there was a light mizzily rain so we decided to carry on.  This part of the river is really pretty but once past Sutton Swing Bridge the scenery changes and becomes very industrial.  One side of the bank is lined with huge chemical works and on the other eventually the river runs alongside the Manchester Ship Canal.  Stopped and had a look but didn't see any ships today.

Stopped at Sutton Bridge for water and to eat lunch and then carried on.  Having come up Dutton Lock I walked the dogs along to Acton Bridge where we intend mooring this evening, outside the Riverside pub.  A Marston's pub doing a good deal on food. 

Picturesque row of houses with moorings near Acton Bridge and next to the pub where we have moored for the evening.

A good meal and beer in the Riverside Pub and then back to the boat for the rest of the evening!

We have had two days of enforced idleness! Yesterday because we didn't fancy moving in the torrential rain, and today because the River Weaver has been closed due to the excessive rainfall yesterday.  The Anderton Lift and all of the locks are not operating today so we are still on the same mooring as before. It seems a little strange to us as the water levels are not really high and the flow is not very fast (especially not in comparison to the Trent and the Ouse).  But nothing we can do.  Got some jobs done on the boat and spent lots of time playing with the dogs.  Who are both now fast asleep if a little damp.  

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!

A good day today, we are now on the river Weaver.  Left last nights mooring at about 10:00am and I steered the boat whilst Graham walked the dogs.  I was a bit twitchy every time I had to pass under a bridge as we now have the new exhaust chimney on and I don't want to break this one!  Picked Graham up at the entrance to Saltersford Tunnel and waited until the time slot for going through.  Getting used to these narrow tunnels now.  Shortly after exiting Saltersford Tunnel we entered Barnton Tunnel.  No time restriction here as you can see the other end and whether any boats are in the tunnel.  

Arrived at the top of the Anderton Lift at about 12:30 and went to speak to the lady in the office, who said we could go down in the lift at 12:50.  Not too long to wait, just time for a quick lunch.

The Anderton Lift is an amazing and impressive piece of engineering, built in 1875 to connect the Trent and Mersey Canal to the River Weaver below.  The lift consists of two large water filled tanks one above on the canal and one below on the river, they are connected hydraulically and balance each other.  The boats enter the lift and they then raise/lower past each other.

Once on the River Weaver we turned left to go upstream towards Winsford.  All the locks on the Weaver are manned so we are back to phoning ahead and the lock is ready for us when we get there.  A great way to boat, pity all locks aren't either manned or mechanised it makes life so much easier.  Two locks this afternoon and then moored up just past Vale Royal Locks in a very pleasant rural mooring.  A lovely sunny afternoon and early evening, but it is raining again now.  Very warm though, I can't quite work out why people around us have fires alight as we have windows open and are still too hot. 

Town Bridge at Northwhich.  The first electrically powered swing bridge in the UK

 

Earlier a pair of swans came around the boat with their 8 cygnets, but Jake took exception to them and chased them away.  He is such a daft dog as he ignores ducks and geese but hates swans for some reason.

Tomorrow we will continue to Winsford which is the end of the navigation.  Will probably do some food shopping here or if not head back to Northwhich for shopping.  Then a leisurely cruise of the rest of the navigation downstream to Runcorn.

Today we completed our time on the Bridgewater Canal, passing through Preston Brook Tunnel (1239 yards) a mere baby in comparison to Standedge, and onto the Trent and Mersey Canal.   Entry into the tunnel is timed with southbound boats allowed entry between half past the hour and 20 minutes too.  This is because the tunnel is only wide enough for one boat.  Spoke to the couple on the boat (Amy) behind us through the tunnel who told us the best places to moor and a couple of reasonable walks for the dogs.  

Narrow boat Hadar who often moor in Market Harborough in the winter exited the tunnel as we were waiting to enter.

Before reaching the tunnel we stopped at Midland Chandlers and replaced the exhaust chimney that I wiped out on the Erewash Canal (weeks ago now) and also bought a guide for the next part of the trip.  Found the facilities on the Runcorn Arm, filled up with water and emptied the toilet.  Glad they had bins as we have passed no rubbish disposal for several days and was getting desperate to dispose of the rubbish.

North portal of Preston Brook Tunnel

Inside the tunnel

South portal of Preston Brook Tunnel with narrow boat Amy exiting.

We moored up early today well before lunch and after eating took the dogs for a walk by the River Weaver as recommended.  Our next objective is to go down in the Anderton lift and onto the River Weaver for a couple of days and then back up the lift onto the canal.  Lets hope the Weaver is not as prone to flooding as all the other rivers we have been on this trip!  After that not sure yet what the plan is.

We set out bright and early (8:00) on Thursday morning, so that we could complete the whole of the Ashton Canal in one go.  We followed Mac on Cygnet, who we spoke to at the pub on Tuesday evening.  As he is single handed we are going to go into Manchester together so that we can share the work of the last nine double locks from Piccadilly to Manchester.

A long day but we stopped for lunch to break the day and made it to Piccadilly in good time to find a mooring.  All reports suggest that it is not wise to moor on the Ashton Canal as it runs through some less than desirable neighbourhoods.  However it seemed ok to me.  Met several people dog walking, cycling etc.  All seemed very friendly and the tow path and surrounding area were clean with very little graffiti.  However we decided that it was best to take the advice.  Passed Manchester City football ground which is nowhere near as big and impressive as Manchester United ground, which we passed today (Sunday).  Mooring in Piccadilly was an experience.  At one point there was a guy, possibly a rough sleeper, asleep on a bench next to the boat, and a couple, possibly Eastern Europeans, sitting on another bench drinking Costa coffee.  At least I thought it was coffee until I saw them refilling it from a bottle.  They got a bit loud but did leave eventually.  Arranged with Mac that we would leave for Manchester at 9:00am.

Friday morning set out at 9:00 as planned.  The trip into Manchester is interesting.  The first few locks are through tunnels under buildings and are a bit scary, especially the notices about lewd or obscene acts being illegal.  However after this things improved and it was a fairly easy trip.  Mac worked like a demon and is the best single hander I have been through locks with.  Often they just assume the other boat's crew will do all the work and do very little.  Mac did at least his share of the work, which made things much easier and quicker for all of us:-)

Made it into Castlefield by 11:30 am and found moorings although there are lots of boats moored up.  Moored up intending to stop for two nights and move on again on Sunday.  Had a look round Manchester which is a very busy and buzzing city, manged to buy some trainers as mine have fallen to pieces and also visited the Museum of Science and Industry.  Also went into the John Ryland Library, which is the University library.  A very impressive building in the Gothic style, which looks like a Church, but was built as a library.  Well worth a visit and I wish we had had longer to look around.  Lovely moorings at Castlefield, highly recommended!

Working steam train at Museum of Science and Industry 

Mooring at Castlefield

This morning (Sunday) we left the moorings at Castlefield and headed along the Bridgewater Canal.  This was originally the link from Manchester to Liverpool until it was superseded by the Manchester Ship Canal, which can be glimpsed from here.  It is raining today and is also cold.  Bit of a shock as we have had a few warm and sunny days with occasional showers.  Glad to stop today to get warm.  However the sun came out this afternoon and we had a warm evening.  Tomorrow we should get to Preston Brook, where we get onto the Trent and Mersey Canal.  Graham has discovered that there is a Midland Chandlers at Preston Brook and is busy making a list, including a new exhaust chimney to replace the one I squashed on the Erewash.  We are looking forward to a few days boating where we don't have to stick to a timetable and can chill out a bit.