Northwich Quay to Middlewich

Monday 27 May

We went back home on Saturday for the weekend and returned today, arriving back at the boat just before 11.00. We were soon on our way and it took us less than an hour to arrive at the Anderton lift. Steve went to consult about when we would be able to go up the lift – answer was 12.50, so we had an early lunch while we waited.

Waiting for our turn.

We will be next.

 We went into the lift more or less on time, but it is quite a slow process as the boats coming down also have to be loaded, and none of the Victorian machinery works particularly quickly. So we emerged out of the lift to turn on to the Trent and Mersey Canal at just before 1.30.

Just a thought before we leave the Anderton lift – the hydraulic ram is a one-piece column, so there is a hole in the bed of the river as deep as the column is long!

The hydraulic ram.

The morning weather was very mixed – a cold wind, sharp showers, but also some short bursts of warm sunshine. The rain set in more steadily during the afternoon, though the sun did still make the odd appearance.

About three hours later we arrived at today’s only lock – Middlewich Big Lock. We had help through the lock from the crew of an Andersen hire boat, being given tuition by a man from Andersen’s. We were very happy to let them practise on us!

We moored up soon afterwards.

Locks 1   Miles 10.75                                    Total Locks 149   Total Miles 246.25