No Weaver for us.

It wasnt to be. Our trip onto the river was a no go. Thats not to say C&RT couldn't fit us in, on the contrary they could, but we decided against because of the mooring situation. In fact we could have gone down the lift at 1.15pm but when I asked the question about the height of the walls and mooring places to get Jade off, the reply was it could be difficult. So we put off the river trip until we no longer have Jade. I know that sounds harsh but at 14 and, what with her back and arthritis problems, if we have another year with her we will be very lucky. I cant risk not being able to get Jade off the boat and it wouldn't be fair to ask her to cross her legs for hours on end until we did find somewhere.
Took some photos of the lift in action instead. It seemed a very slow process, in fact we must have been waiting 15 minutes or more for the troughs to start moving and then took another 15 minutes for the gate to lift once the boat was down.

Narrowboat in the top trough going down and trip boat on its way up

Whilst at the Anderton several small steam engines were on display and happened to light the boilers smoking us all out. These look to be 'big boys toys'. Ian happened to mention that they must have a great time playing with them. He was well and truly put in his place when one of the chaps said it was a very serious hobby and if one of the engines blew up, it would destroy every thing in the vicinity, including the lift!

 With the wind situation getting worse, getting onto the facilities was a bit difficult. We made it just in time, thank goodness, 'cause the rain came down with avengeance. The tap there was the slowest we have encountered for a long time and it must have been a good hour later before we finally left to find a mooring. Time was early afternoon but with the deteriorating weather conditions we felt it was a good time to stop.

Windy and murky at the facility block

 So we moved about 1/2 mile further on and stopped on a bit of concrete edge with mooring rings.  Room enough for us and a little one but at least we dont have to put pins in. I'm glad about that as there hasnt been one boat that has gone slower past us then 3mph! What is it with this breed of boaters. Does no one know what tick over or 2mph is?

Moorings tonight

Having fun on the bridle path opposite our mooring.