Greater Cheshire: Day 10

We were all up quite early this morning, Brian and Mike being early risers anyway, and the factory over the Weaver made some loud banging noises at about 6.30.  Having four people on board means everything takes a while — what with getting showers, converting the dinette back from a guest bed, and then breakfast.  It was about 9 when we all walked down to the car park to say our goodbyes; it’s been really nice to see friends in person.

We walked up to the Barnton Co-op again, and then set off round the corner to the water point as we needed to do washing and fill the tank.  There was a little wait while others finished off.  While we were there, a friend messaged me with a photo of a review of The Water Road in the Financial Times.  I was delighted!

Once on the move again we quickly caught up with another boat, but it was at the long straight section before Marston so they waved us past.  At Wincham Wharf, it’s a case of weaving between the boats.

One of the sets of pipes from the chemical works has a rather attractive artwork.  The equation is turning brine into chlorine, hydrogen, and caustic soda.

The new power plant had its huge cranes up today, and on the opposite side of the canal was another, not yet up, with a massive piece of pipe.  It really is huge — you could drive a Transit van through it easily.

Whatcroft Flash was looking particularly nice in the sunshine — in fact the weather has been much much better than forecast yesterday.

Round the corner, we could see a little boat in the water.  It turned out to be a man from RCR, taking something to a boat.  His van was parked up on the road a little further on.

By Bridge 179 there are two lodge houses for Whatcroft Hall.  They’re rather pretty, being half timbered.  The bridges round here are flat decked rather than arched, so they could be jacked up if the land subsided because of all the salt extraction.

We had lunch on the move, then moored up the other side of Croxton Aqueduct.  The first couple of rings were free but the space was too short, so we’ve ended up a bit further along, with the stern on a ring and a mooring stake for the bow.  As we were mooring there was a heavy shower, but otherwise it’s been sunny.

9 miles, 0 locks.  (53 miles, 14 locks)

North West Passage: Day 15

If yesterday was better than forecast, this morning was far worse. The rain wasn't too bad when we set off at about 8.30, but it soon got harder and harder. The canal between Wheelock and Middlewich isn't that remarkable, but it didn't seem to take long to get to the first of the Booth Lane locks. At the second lock there's a big housing development called Albion Lock -- a name which must be complete fiction. I took no photos along this stretch, it was raining too hard. At King's lock, I started the boat going down and then made a quick dash to the neighbouring chandlery to get a new glass for the stove. For some reason, it cracked yesterday -- not sure why, we haven't even been using it. I bought two, somwe have one in stock. The rain had eased enough for me to take a photo of Adrian bringing the boat across Middlewich Junction.

At the Middlewich locks, we were following a boat down, but then one was coming up. The arc where you walk to push the lock gates open were flooded.

We continued round the corner and moored up alongside a playground. I then replaced the stove glass, and we had lunch -- of course the sun came out. After lunch, we had a visit from my sister and her husband, and my nieces, Rachel and Emily. The playground proved to be a welcome distraction at times. With the weather reasonable, we decided to go for a little trip down Big Lock and on a bit. Elizabeth and Emily sat in the cratch, Rachel came with me at the stern, and Ian worked the lock with Adrian.

We moored up just beyond Croxton Aqueduct and put the kettle on again. Adrian had made a lovely lemon and poppy seed cake. There was another torrential downpour, but by the time the family was ready to walk back to their car it was dry. A few minutes later there was a lovely rainbow over the nearby farmhouse, along with some dramatic clouds.

7 miles, 9 locks. (171 miles, 129 locks)