Dutton

Here I am Rune

Distance 10.7 miles

Total 2958 Locks  152 Tunnels

Running total mileage 4303.9 miles

We had a change of plan today and, instead of going through the 6 tunnels, we only got through 4 of them and have moored for the night at the Dutton Bank, at the location of the canal breach in 2012. It leaves us about an hour and forty minutes away from Anderton for tomorrows trip and then to head back to Middlewich on Friday. The reason for mooring is is because it has quite a spectacular view across the River Weaver.

By strange coincidence, the only boats that we came across today who were on the move were both in Preston Brook Tunnel. One followed us through as we went to Midland Chandlers and another followed us back through the tunnel on our return, otherwise there has been nothing else on the move today. It was a pity since, despite a less than ideal weather forecast, it was actually OK.

Anderton

Here I am Rune

Distance 10.2 miles

Total 2958 Locks  148 Tunnels

Running total mileage 4293.2 miles

Stage on of the exercise was completed today, we travelled as far as Anderton so tomorrow we should hopefully get through to Preston Brook and back to here and then back to Middlewich by Thursday, easily beating the Monday deadline before they close Big Lock. Interestingly we got through Big lock today without any problem, it is very slow to fill but once full the gate opened OK.

The rest of the trip was just a repeat of the last time we came up here, weather was OK and not very much on the move. One of the only moving boats we passed was towing but fortunately we passed it on a reasonably open section of canal, after having just come through a bridge. It would have been a different matter had we met them at the bridge.

Tomorrow we, once again, have 6 tunnels to negotiate (or 3 tunnels times 2) but since the days are starting to stretch out a bit, we have another hour of daylight to play with compared to the last time we went through.

Middlewich

Here I am Rune

Distance 8.3 miles

Total 2953 Locks  148 Tunnels

Running total mileage 4283.0 miles

The weather today didn’t look too promising first thing since it was peeing down with rain but it did eventually dry up by about 1.00pm. We did need to move on anyway because we want to get to Midland Chandlers and we only have until next Monday before CRT close Big Lock at Middlewich for repairs, and it is remaining closed until 15th Feb. We aren’t massively strapped for time as it is only a couple of days up and a couple of days back again, but I like to keep days in hand for any problems that may present themselves.

We are getting to know the Middlewich Branch quite well now having been along it several times this winter, I do still like it although it is a bit ‘manicured’, all of the hedges seem perfectly cut in all of the fields, almost as though they have a hedge-cutting competition. 

A bit more work tomorrow to get to Anderton since we are above the locks in Middlewich so we will have the mileage of about 9 miles plus 5 locks to go through, not too onerous though.

Cholmondeston Lock

Here I am Rune

Distance 6.7 miles

Total 2950 Locks  148 Tunnels

Running total mileage 4274.7 miles

We stuck pretty much to the original plan and stayed at Nantwich until after the Battle of Nantwich, finally moving on this morning. It was interesting watching the Battle event and considering how well it must be choreographed to ensure the minimum of injuries to the Sealed Knot participants. When they are firing (blank) muskets and cannons and a lot of people are wandering around with big poles in their hands, it must be quite easy for accidents to happen.

We didn’t move quite as far as I’d anticipated since, as we came through Hurleston there was a boater seeking assistance as he’d broken down. We initially towed him to Barbridge but when he found they they didn’t sell diesel he asked to go on to Venetian Marina, another mile along the canal, total towing distance about 2.5 miles. Probably wasn’t the best day to be towing since it was quite windy, but we got there with very little drama. I was intending to get to Aqueduct marina today but, due to the tow, we’ve moored above Cholmondeston Lock. We’ll probably get a replacement gas cylinder from Venetian marina tomorrow on the way through, and possibly some diesel.