With Adrian not due back until this afternoon, I had quite a bit of the day to myself. I went for a walk, and this time went to look at the Murdishaw Valley Park. The road outside has a sign warning of migratory toads crossing the road in February and March. As I walked through the park, this little chap was sitting on the path; I’m not sure if he’s migratory or not.
I found a path leading to some steps, which took me up and over the M56.
I then walked through Preston Brook, went back onto the towpath opposite Midland Chandlers, and back to the junction. Then I walked up the mainline, down the path across the railway line, and back to the boat on the Runcorn Arm. Then I baked a carrot cake for tomorrow, using up excess carrots. When it was out of the oven and cooling, I went across to see our friends who live across the canal. In the afternoon, I made a chilli for tonight’s dinner, then walked up to the station to meet Adrian’s train.
Back at the boat we immediately set off. It was a lovely sunny afternoon, and there are lots of nice wooded sections along the arm, and some nice bridges and houses.
We also passed a very wide plastic boat going the other way.
As we approached Runcorn there were glimpses of Runcorn suspension bridge, which crosses the Ship Canal and the River Mersey.
We turned at the end of the canal and returned to the moorings by the theatre. During the afternoon a CRT email arrived, saying that the closure of the Cheshire Locks on the Trent and Mersey is being extended to include the Middlewich Locks and Big Lock from next Thursday. This means we’ll have to make sure we’re back up them before then, so we’ll be spending less time here on the Bridgewater than we had planned.
4 miles, 0 locks. (49 miles, 14 locks)
1 comment:
If you are going to get stuck somewhere we can thoroughly recommend the Nantwich Pound. We spent first lockdown there (as did BR) and got to know it well. Three water points, two bin compounds, two elsans and good socially distanced shopping in Nantwich. We do wonder what became of the elderly couple, the "Wheelie Shoppers" who, late at night, would walk through the field at the bottom of Hurleston just beyond the towpath dragging their shopping trollies and then disappear completely into a bush! Perhaps you could find out! :-)
Mick
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