We have to be back in Fleet for Cub Camp next weekend so have arranged to park the boat at Stretford Marina in Manchester. We have to start moving today to get there in time.
Set off in beautiful weather still - a really hot day. Got through Dutton locks fine, but went intially into the 'small' (huge) lock at Saltersford only to be told by the lock keeper that we were in the wrong one and must move into the 'large' (humungous) lock. As we exited, two boaters waiting at the top looked crestfallen as the lock keeper closed the lock behind us - it was his lunchtime!
Arriving at Anderton, we couldn't reach the Lift Office by phone, so Annie had to walk up the bank to book us in. Our 4.15 slot turned into 4.45 but it didn't matter when you are on canal time. On the way up, we mentioned our plans to one of the operatives - who strongly advised us against using Stretford Marina as boats there are prone to damage from stone throwing youngsters. We need to re-plan!
We nevertheless headed towards Manchester. Annie helmed us through the Saltersford and Barnton Tunnels. We marvel at what the 18th century Engineers were capable of with their wonderful canal structures. Not so these two tunnels! They were clearly intended to be straight, but in fact closely followed the outline of a dogs hind leg. The Surveyor that set them out must have been sampling the local pop. After these two tunnels came the much longer Preston Brook Tunnel. Again this was slightly kinked, so much so that you could nor see from one end to the other. To overcome boats entering from both ends at the same time and meeting in the middle, northbound boats could only enter on the hour until 10 minutes past the hour, and southbound boats at half-past for 10 minutes.
We moored for the night at a lovely spot overlooking the River Weaver below. As we had taken the bikes off to go through a couple of tunnels, we decided to use them on a ride to the Leigh Arms where we tried the
Robinsons Unicorn.
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| Many old boats are left to die along the Weaver - this example at Dutton Lock |
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| You see many imaginatively named boats along the cut - this is my favourite so far this trip |
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| Saltersford Tunnel |
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| Where did you pack the fly spray? |
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| Annie navigating us through - didn't touch the side once! |
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| Our spot for the night |
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