Northwich Marina to Wrenbury

26 May – Northwich Marina to Billinge Green

Left Northwich after all chores done - up early to catch the dryers before leaving Marina at 10am and head off back up Anderton Lift. 

We managed to get a booking for 12.15 and shared with another boat. On way up the tourist boat was coming down interesting watching them pass each other.

Canal style water ski - good old fashion water scooter

 Off on down Trent & Mersey and spent the night on pins

 If canal need to be closed these are by bridges to block off canal

TOTAL – 6 miles – 1 boat lift – 2 aqueducts

27 May - Billinge Green to Minshullhill Bridge No 14

Headed off towards Middlewich arriving at the first of the locks canals which are now single locks – so much easier to handle. We were lucky to get volunteers lock keepers through the first three as Vicki was talking to Clara and not really paying a lot of attention.

We then headed off towards Wadle Canal which is the shortest canal on the system only 45m. Had to wait for Gosport (a towed butty) to be hauled out before we could enter. Wadle Lock is also named after the Maureen the canal woman.

Then off down Middlewich branch to Shropshire and stopped at Bridge 14 for the night and headed off down the Badger Inn for pint and dinner at 3.30pm - 16th century buildings around here. The feed was excellent and pub ales great. Give them 8 out of 10 for pub grub but mushy pea’s average.

TOTAL – 10 miles – 6 locks (start of the narrow lock yeah!!!) – 3 aqueducts

28 May - Minshullhill Bridge No 14 to Wrenbury Church Lift Bridge No 19

Moved off this morning a little earlier finishing the Middlewich branch and did the turn onto Shropshire Union canal. A discussion shortly after saw a major change of plans and we decided to do the Llangollen Canal again. Turned sharp right at Hurlsten Junction and cruised the rest of the day to Wrenbury.  

Narrow, very narrow locks light gates and lots of traffic making the life so much easier around locks. The first 4 had every lock with a boat waiting for us to come out making life so much easier. So this is good I was only luke warm on not going out there because it’s a 44 mile back track but it is well worth it.

Tied up and dinner on at 4.30pm and off to 2 handy pubs for a quick drink and to do blog.

TOTAL – 12 miles – 11 locks – 2 lift bridges – 2 aqueducts

Keckwick to River Weaver

24 May – Keckwick to River Weaver

Woke to drizzle and needed to move as batteries low. Started off along Trent & Mersey canal and the canal definitely narrows. Our first tunnel – Preston Brook Tunnel is 1239 yards, it is on a time table and we arrived just in time though Pete had to jump off and grab some free books. As you come through tunnel there is a stop lock so I got to drive into my first lock and Pete opened it.

PRESTON BROOK TUNNEL

The country side is beautiful and day improved as we travelled along.  We had two more tunnels to go through. Saltersford Tunnel, even though this was the smallest and probably the trickiest as you could see through it and it is very bendy. We had a two boat ahead of us one being towed. The tunnel is said to be haunted by a ghost of a female, we didn’t see her as she was scared away by the guys in the front yelling instructions to each other.

SALTERSFORD TUNNEL

Last was Barnton Tunnel and then into the cute town Barnton.

We stopped for lunch and then headed off to Anderton Lift to see if we could go down. We got down there about 3pm and were able to book a 5pm flight down. Late leaving but once down on the River Weaver we stopped for the night.

25 May - River Weaver

Goodness a month down on board Musn Grumble and we are definitely not grumbling as we have got into boat mode. Definitely 4 miles an hour and I think we are actually averaging 2 miles.

 Sunken Concrete Barge

We did a small cruise on the River Weaver and then booked into Northwich Marina as we badly needed to do loads of washing and power makes it a lot easier. Supermarket opposite so supplies are done and chores done and will be off to explore some of the town shortly, that is if I can drag Pete away from the Cricket. 

Little Bollington to Keckwick

22 May

Left Little Bollington around 9 and got through Lymm just in time, we passed a lot of boats heading that way for a Boat Rally

The barge with no top is a moving bridge to get punters across to the big tent. Looking on the Internet it looks like a theme for 50s and 60s which goes all weekend. http://www.bmbc.club/lymm-rally-2015/
It is bank holiday weekend in UK and a lot more boats have been seen moving. The country side is beautiful.

Did a quick tidy up of boat this morning and lesson learnt, don't pick up after Pete as I have managed to put back out. We travelled for awhile - filled boat with diesel and pump out and water in Stockton Heath. 

It was a very overcast day, passed through some very posh houses.

Stopped here for the night Keckwick opposite Daresbury Laboratory

http://www.sci-techdaresbury.com/properties/daresbury-laboratory/

23 May

Today we have not moved as my back is still sore but weather has improved dramatically. Nice to not move. Not a bad spot to stop either. Pete went to local shop to get me some wine to help the pain tablets. Took him awhile as he loves to yak with locals. :-)