To new waters.

Saturday 7th May

Northwich at 3am and lots of shouting and frivolity on the bridge. Night clubs had started to turn out and we did so hope they wouldn't come down the path by FS. They didn't and the noise abated into the distance. Then it was the turn of the ducks to make a racket, or rather just one. Quack, quack, quack on and on, until it was driving us nuts. Finally it stopped and just drifting off when the water underneath the hull started gurgling and churning. Good Grief now what! Fish this time???? Anyway we did eventually drift off and before we knew it the sun was well up and it was 8am.

Before leaving this mooring we made tracks to Aldi, did a largish shop (no other shops that we know of along the rest of the Weaver)then untied and cruised the couple of hundred yards to the facilities. Loo, water and rubbish all done we headed off for pastures new.

With the flow we sailed past Anderton lift travelling at a good rate of knots. For some reason the flow had increased and we easily travelled at about 5mph.  Another lowish angled bridge came into view so revs knocked right back. Best be safe then sorry. Must remember to keep to the left on the way back!

 In Nicholson a mooring was shown before Saltisford lock, Barton cut visitor moorings. With one space available we turned FS to head back against the flow and got moored up. There were bollards on this mooring all except the bit where we were. No wonder it was free. Pins were put in, lunch was had, aerial put up then a walk to chat to the lock keeper if he knew of better moorings.

First view of Saltisford lock

Barton Cut moorings. About 5 or 6 boats could get in.

 We were in luck. Below the lock was a lovely stretch of 48hour moorings with bollards. So arranging with the lock keeper that we would see him in about 30 minutes, headed back to FS turned her into the currant and gave him the pre arranged toot for him to open the gates when we got to the weir. Fully expecting to head into the smaller of the two, we were that surprised when he beckoned us into the big lock. I did enquire why we were using this lock and his reply, the small lock hasn't been used for over 40 years!

Into the big lock

Didn't bother with putting aerial down after leaving Barton Cut

Huge. This lock gate is in the middle of the lock. Still room behind FS for another and plenty of room in front.

Fabulous mooring and the wildlife to die for!

Reed Warbler

Possibly a Hornet

Grebes

Is it after the watershed? Naughty!

Shame the photo is blurred. Had a bit of camera shake

Willow Warbler

Two rival Blackbirds. Let the fight commence

And way across the river. The Kingfisher.