15th June 2013 - Worsley to Crooke

Now mooring outside a canal-side pub might sound idyllic to some - but there are drawbacks.  The 'yoof' congregating loudly outside the boat dissolved away last night when it started hammering with rain so we could get to sleep.  However we awoke to the delicate sound of birdsong - and 1/2 tonne of glass (brown green and white) being tipped into the recycling lorry at 6.30am.

Our setting off was delayed by a series of phone calls informing of the scout hut sadly being broken into sometime in the last couple of days.  There was various collateral damage usual with break-ins, broken doors etc, but it was sad to hear that the groups lovely Honda outboard engine has gone.  Thanks to everyone who are dealing with this little emergency in our absence.  It preyed heavily on my mind for ...oooh 10 minutes. Then we started the engine and were off!

Our route took us through Wigan, passed 'Wigan Pier' which was interesting. We stopped for lunch (and to clear the weed hatch) at a lovely spot overlooking Pennington Flash.  These flashes are large lakes created by mining subsidence, although coal mining is the culprit here rather than salt mining which created the flashes around Northwich.  Plank Lane swing bridge (which is actually a lift bridge) was a tas hairy being a very busy road.  The second Annie opened it again a police car came screaming through, lights flashing.  Not sure what we would have done if we were 1/2 way through.....

Moored at Crooke which has a great feeling of remoteness, despite it being close to civilisation.  The marina was formerly the entrance to underground mines.

"Severn" which we had seen on the Weaver

Down through the Wigan flight

Wigan Pier

14th June 2013 - Lymm to Worsley

We were awoken by a couple of boats going by very early.  The forecast was for rain by late morning so we reckoned they were trying to beat the weather - so we would too!  We were off before 8am with bacon butties and coffee on the move on a beautiful (temporarily) morning.  This part of the Bridgewater Canal is raised only on a slight embankment but as it crosses the Cheshire Plain affords some really great views to the Pennines and Lancashire hills.

During the morning we passed the bases of several large cruising clubs including Lymm and Sale with loads of narrowboats and cruisers stored - so much for the received dire warnings of a no-go area.

At Lunchtime we came into Worsley, passing the historic dry dock and 'The Delph' where the the Duke of Bridgewater's mine entrance was located.  He built the canal to service and transport coal from the mines, thus kick starting (many say) the industrial revolution - certainly the late 18th century canal mania. Without him there would be no 'Ken and Annie' cruise of 2013.  Lets hear it for the Duke of Bridgewater - hip hip.....

We stopped around the corner for lunch and a read..... and didnt get going again until 5pm.  We only went on for 45 minutes, stopping at 'The Moorings' pub where we had a meal.

Art Nouveau factory in Altrincham

We decided we quite liked this new build block of apartments

Crossing Barton Aquaduct over the Manchester Ship Canal

A random lighthouse in Eccles. Think about it.....

Duke of Bridgewater's gaff in Worsley

Entrance to the D of B's mines, the Delph, Worsley

A 'Starvationer' used to remove coal from the mines (this one at  Ellesmere Port museum)

13th May 2013 - Anderton to Lymm

Went and paid the Marina as soon as they opened at 9am ready for an early start - then got talking to the lady at reception for an hour or so, so our quick getaway went for a ball of chalk.

We set off in warm sunshine wearing just T shirts.  No don't be silly - you know what I mean.
This state of affairs lasted just 10 minutes before another layer went on in the increasing wind.  Inside an hour Annie had 5 layers and me 4, with full waterproofs in what was the wettest day of our journey yet!

We navigated, yet again through the Barnton, Saltersford and Preston Brook tunnels.  I was even more annoyed than on the previous occasions at how the 'wonderful 18th century surveyors' had managed to make a complete dog's breakfast out of tunneling in an absolutely straight line - not once but three times.

We parked up under the motorway bridge at Preston Brook for lunch, only to find the rain hammering down even harder when we emerged from the other side.  The rain stopped at 5pm as we were entering Lymm, which seems a nice place.  However we werent to find out as the urge to press on meant that we finally moored up between Lymm and Dunham Massey.

Just down the road is Millington Hall where one of my antecedents took the family name sometime in the 13th century, no doubt he maintained the privies - certainly wasn't  his Lordship!  Might cycle over in the morning for a pilgrimage - if it isn't raining!

12th June 2013 - Fleet to Northwich (train)

Abi volunteered to chauffeur the two of us to Fleet Station, along with all our bags.  Thanks Abi. Strangely our tickets took us on a different route to our journey a fortnight ago.  This time we went into London.  Struggling with heavy bags between Waterloo and Euston on the underground was a bit of a mission - escalators have yet to arrive on the Northern Line.  Our pre-booked seats on the London to Manchester train were already occupied by a gentleman.  But then we checked tickets and he discovered he was on the wrong train, which was great for us but bad news for him.  Did the weeks shopping on arrival at Northwich then phoned for a taxi to take us to the marina.  The taxi that arrived was a mini-bus which I thought far too large for just the two of us - then realised it was OK once we saw the size of the taxi driver.

Got back to the boat at 5pm.  There was a boat service point just outside the marina so we decided to fill up with water and empty the loo tank in preparation for the trip to Liverpool.  Fortunately the pump-out proved to be much less messy than our previous experience on the Montgomery canal.

11th June 2013 - Back to the boat tomorrow

It has been great being home these past two weeks, but we are both chomping at the bit to get back to Ceilidh.  Cub Camp went fantastically.  Had a great meal with Charlie for his 21st and garden working party round at Mums.  Caught up with a lot of people, the Scout Group is in very safe hands (thanks guys) now its time to abscond again!

Our original plan was to visit both the Lancaster Canal and Liverpool during our journey.  Both the Liverpool Link and Ribble Link (to get to the Lancaster Canal) require prior booking and access is limited.  Carefully comparing the dates when access is permitted and our likely journey times convinced us that unfortunately it would be impossible to visit both this year - so we decided upon the Lancaster.  I sent the forms off but was disappointing to receive a phone call from CRT that the Ribble Link was all booked up - into September!  I asked about Liverpool but the lady couldn't help me as its a separate application. Out of the blue today we got a call back from CRT - "I understand you wish to book the Liverpool Link - what dates? - Yes that should be alright!  So our adventure continues on into Liverpool.  We have to be at Bridge 9 on the Leeds & Liverpool at 9am on 19th June where we will be met by CRT staff to conduct us into the City Centre - mostly to operate swing bridges etc I believe.  We are booked onto a pontoon in Salthouse Dock until Monday 24th June.

Now all we have to do is get back to Northwich.....

Liverpool Link Canal crossing the Pier Head

3rd June 2013 - Site Update

Have added link to the right hand control panel to a map showing our latest current location.  The map is Google based so you can pan, zoom in and out and switch to aerial photo view and shows all the waterway features. Hope this makes the ramblings a little more understandable!

30th May 2013 - Anderton to Fleet (by train)

Up early to sort the boat out.  Cranked up the engine and moved the 1/2 mile or so into Anderton Marina.  Moored up at an empty pontoon and proceeded to 'put the boat to bed' ie. all the rubbish off,. batteries turned off, gas off etc.  At 10 O'clock our taxi was waiting for us at reception and we were at the station in 5 minutes leaving us only 1/2 an hour to kill before the train :-p  We had to change at Stockport and Basingstoke and Charlie picked us up from Fleet.  Nice to be home for camp - but we both feel we want to be back on the boat.....

Felt a little better after spending the evening completing the application forms to gain permission to get onto the Ribble Link and Lancaster Canal on our return to the water - currently programmed for 12th June.  Cant wait!

Ceilidh 'stored' for a fortnight at Anderton Marina