More boats on the move then we have seen in weeks.

Quick update on Jade first. Having been on the extra pain killers, she seemed much more comfortable after a good nights sleep. In fact Ian had to wake her this morning to get her to go out. This concerned us both at first until she got up with ease, trotted down the length of the boat with tail wagging, and jumped on and off without any problem. Her breathing has improved to the extent that I think the quick breathing was pain related not anything to do with her dunking. In fact this is Jade tonight after we moored just after doing Preston Brook Tunnel.

We didn't leave Lymm until well after 9am. A tackle shop was marked by bridge 21 and with me having almost no bait left, I wanted to make sure we stopped. Having walked through a labyrinth of small alleys just to get to it, and managing to get lost on the way back (phoned Ian in the end to ask for directions but luckily wasn't needed as a gentleman was on hand to direct me back to the canal) we headed off to do the 11 mile to Preston Brook. Now boat after boat was making their way towards Lymm. Counted at least 30 or more. Came as a bit of a shock when we kept meeting them at bridge 'oles.

Preston Brook. Not much to speak off, only Midland Chandlers and a boatyard and of course the Runcorn Arm.

The Nicholson waterway guide shows a facility block and as we needed to empty one of the cassettes (we have two), we asked a guy at the boatyard where it was. Well there isn't one! The nearest now is at Anderton so we may have to cross our legs until we get there tomorrow.

Rounding a bend we came across a line of boats. It was the queue for the tunnel. Its single traffic and you enter Southbound on the 30 minutes for 10 minutes and Northbound on the hour for 10 minutes. We didn't have long to wait, just 15 minutes before we joined the convoy.

Off course after the tunnel comes the stop lock and with 5 boats in front we had a bit of a wait.

We called it a day mid afternoon and I settled down for a few hours fishing. Not a bad spot for catching tiddlers. Not a big fish to be seen but, hey ho, a fish is a fish I always say. We may head down the lift tomorrow if we can get a booking. Always fancied a few days on the Weaver.

Wildlife on route,

Okay....not exactly wildlife but I loved the unusual markings on this cat.