Quick Resume Part 4

29 & 30 May

Spend a couple of days on the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union, which connects the main branch of the Shroppie with the Trent & Mersey.

Could not resist stopping for lunch at, yep, The Olde Barbridge Inn for another helping of their excellent belly of pork.

TODAY: 7 miles; 2 locks
TOTAL:  274 miles (39 miles broad, 7 miles river); 142 locks (21 broad); 15 moveable bridges

31 May

Beautiful morning so I make an early start.

And find a lovely spot for lunch.

The canals are not all pretty scenery!

 

Went on much later than I had intended as there was a great lack of decent moorings - even in Northwich.  It seems the folk around here do not want visitors!  Eventually found a spot just above Northwich.  No internet but a decent TV signal.

 

I was rewarded with a lovely sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TODAY: 14 miles; 6 locks
TOTAL:  288 miles (39 miles broad, 7 miles river); 148 locks (21 broad); 15 moveable bridges

1 June

I make for the Anderton Boat Lift to get onto the River Weaver.  It is an incredible piece of engineering.  It is possible to book (£5 fee) but I just turn up and am fortunate to secure a slot on the next but one passage. It can transport two narrowboats (or 4 cruisers) at a time.

Entrance to the lift

Built by Edwin Clark in 1875 to lift cargo boats the 50 feet from the River Weaver to the Trent & Mersey Canal.

Trip boat going up as I go down

From April to October you can enjoy boat trips through the lift and along the River Weaver Navigation.

Like all great things, the concept is simple: two huge water tanks, each with watertight sealable doors carry boats up and down. The original counter-balanced system was replaced in 1908 by electric operation, but the lift now works hydraulically again.

View from the Weaver

 

No description can adequately convey the sheer scale of this engineering feat. The lift worked until 1983 when serious deterioration of the structure was discovered. Some £7m was raised to fund the restoration, which was completed in 2002.

The completion of the restoration was followed by the opening of an Operations Centre in 2003. This offers interactive displays, educational facilities, a gift shop and a coffee shop.

More information here where there is a video of the lift in operation.

I set off up the Weaver - it is a lovely river, despite the several salt works.  More of that next time.

TODAY: 8 miles; 2 locks
TOTAL:  296 miles (39 miles broad, 12 miles river); 150 locks (23 broad); 15 moveable bridges