Skeletons of the past

11th May

From 1pm yesterday, all day and all night the rain beat down on FS. A slight rise in the river but not as much as expected. Had a pretty rough night with those insect bites and waking this morning found another 5!!! Must be something in the bedroom munching on me but why not Ian? Doesn't seem fair does it! Did read that some people are more prone, something to do with one's smell. (Hmm..are they trying to say I'm smelly!) Anyway, I decided enough was enough and not only stripped the bed of sheets but all bedding was removed, mattress protector, blankets, pillowcases etc and all have been thrown in the wash. Then out came the insect spray and everything was treated. A haze filled the bedroom and I had to rush out and stick my head out of the window to stop those toxic fumes from killing me off as well as the bugs. Tonight we will see if it's worked!

Moored between the trees.

  Waiting for a lull in the weather we sat it out until noon, then we pulled pins and turned back downstream to try and find the hulks that Ditchcrawler had mentioned. These Hulks are Weaver Flats and speaking to Mac (lady lock keeper at Dutton Lock) we were told that at least one, The Daresbury, was a Shropshire Union Flat and The National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port had thought about restoring her but she's too far gone to even attempt to crane her out. Mooring at Sutton Weaver moorings we walked roughly 1/2 mile to the disused Lock. Here, in the reeds, were tantalising glimpses of the skeletal remains

Bollards of the lock landing

The lock

The wing wall to the lock

Gate recess

If only we could have got a bit nearer but thick glutinous smelly mud stopped us in our tracks. So glad we backtracked to find them though, and so glad I got that comment from Ditchcrawler. Seems Blogging does bring out a mind of information otherwise missed.

After lunch we headed back. The rain continued to fall and it was only as we arrived at Dutton Lock that it finally stopped. Deciding to stay below lock, we moored on what I suppose would be the river lock landing. Here a visitor mooring sign and a water point and with Ian walking to chat to Lockie Macs to find out if we could stay, came back with the thumbs up.

Felt strange to moor here but Macs said it was okay so who are we to argue.

A few facts about these big locks.

And on route,

Still raining.

Sutton Weaver mooring.

The railway viaduct.

And wildlife,