A reasonably early start as we wanted to get to Preston Brook tunnel by eight o’clock. Entry into the tunnel is timed. Northbound from on the hour to 10 past, and southbound from half past to twenty to. So had we arrived after 8:10 we would have had to wait. As it was we got
We knew that it would only be a short day today so we did a few jobs and then set off just before 11 o’clock. The weather was alternately rain and dry, but mostly rain. A quick lunch stop by the Anderton lift, then on to moor for the evening by bridge 211 a mile
We dont need to set off on the Liverpool trip until Sunday, so today we went visiting two National Trust properties nearby. First it was off to Biddulph Grange gardens. These were laid out in the 19th century and were very influential in garden design at the time. Next went went off to see Old
The Weaver lock keepers dont come on duty until 9:00 and cant lock the first boat through until 9:15 it seems. But we were there just after nine and they locked us through. Between Vale Royal locks and Hunts lock there are several boatyards that grew up to deal with the larger boats that used
We started down the lift at our alloted time of 10:00. From the top we could see Brian & Diana on NB Harnser. They had just picked up the boat from having a full re-paint. It looked very smart. As we came out of the bottom of the lift Harnser was waiting there, so we
The Downs family arrived at 9:15. As soon as they had unpacked and had a coffee we set off towards Middlewich. We hadn’t gone far when it started to pour with rain. Paul and I stayed outside getting wet whilst the others remained dry. We stopped at Bramble Cuttings until the rain stopped, then carried
Left home early (6:18) to beat the M5/6 traffic. It seemed to work as we made it in record time (2hrs 18mins). Had breakfast, unpacked and chilled out. Daughter Nikki and her family are due tomorrow so we were making tne most of tne peace and quiet. A walk after lunch then more chilling.
We were all up, showered and breakfasted by about 8:30, so just chugged over to the lift waiting area. It was a bit later than our allotted time of 9:15 as we entered the lift, but we were up by 10 o’clock. The new tank gauge showed just over 80% full so we decided to