2 mph or less, not 4 mph!

Saturday 5th Oct

I could NOT believe my luck last night. Landing on the new concrete edging almost opposite the saloon window was a Kingfisher. Typical,  I was cooking dinner and the windows were all steamed up and thought I had not a cat in hells chance of taking a photo. But a small area  almost clear glass right by where the window closes was enough for me to take these.I did have to alter the contrast, would have looked very wishy-washy otherwise.

BEFORE

AFTER

It was England v Argentina this morning, a 9 am kick-off and Ian really wanted to watch the match. But we were also aware that we needed to be at Northwich on Monday morning to collect a hire a car to take us to Bolton. Heavy rain had also been forecast for Sunday and we didn't particularly want to venture out in that so mooring at Lion Salt Works was the prefered destination. At 6.45 am we were up and by 7.08 am we had pulled pins and heading toward Wardle lock.

Setting off in the half-light.

Wardle lock

The plan was to turn left at the junction and get the four locks (including Big lock) out of the way before the kickoff. All the locks needed turning and Big lock took an age to fill, I started to wonder we would be moored in time.

Middlewich junction

A left turn here back onto the T&M

Looking back

Out of Lock 72 and an immediate sharp left-hander to get into the next lock. A right pig to do and its times like these that I wish we had a bendy boat!

Lock 72 in the distance and 73 in the foreground.

One more lock before Big Lock

I had wondered why Big Lock was the only broad lock on a narrow lock canal. I found this explanation on  Historic England    The lock is approximately 5 metres wide - hence its name. It retains the dimensions determined in 1776 when it was intended that Middlewich should be the trans-shipment point between "Mersey flats" and narrowboats.

Big lock. I had wondered why this was the only broad lock on a narrow lock canal.

I needn't have worried as our timings were perfect, we were moored by 8.45am and while Ian fiddled with the TV controls trying to find a signal, I started on a very late breakfast. (well late for us anyway!)

 Then about half an hour into the game, FS suddenly bounced against the side with a loud bang, tipped alarmingly, righted and then clattered the side again. How nothing was broken was a miracle. Both of us shot up to see the stern of a boat disappearing from view. I make no apology of mentioning the name of that boat 'Magee' and if we could have spoken to the owner we both would have given him a piece of our mind! There wasn't even any attempt to throttle back, passing us at a speed of over 3 mph! In fact, thinking about it was probably nearer to 4mph. Shame that Ian wasn't within earshot of that person as he would have asked if he had forgotten something. He's done that before you know, and when they ask "What", Ian's reply, "your waterskier"!

A little later another boater came past. Ian happened to be outside at the time and was told by the gentleman that he read our blog. Unfortunately, Ian didn't quite catch the name of the boat, Metallica something maybe? Anyway, I will say hello, and what a shame I didn't get to meet you. Thank you for reading the blog and following our journey.

England won the match against Argentina and then Japan v Samoa came on. "Ooh," said Ian "I rather fancy watching that one as well". Consequently, it was way past 13.30 before we eventually got going.

It's been an age since we last travelled this way and most noticeable was the lack of mooring spots. Short sections of the bank without vegetation where pins could be used were few and far between and the rest most unsuitable for a boat to get to the side. Also, the vast amount of reeds invading the channel, not quite as bad as those on the Erewash but it was a close thing.

Croxton Flash, a large body of water had posts along the length showing where not to venture, a warning board of shallow water was also in full view but a few miles further along we came to Billinge Green Flash, a vast expanse of open water without any sign other than when you first approached the Flash  So easy for the unaware to try and head for the middle and then get stuck. Following the line of the towpath is, no doubt, the best course of action.

Croxton Flash

Billinge Green Flash.

Good grief was that us creating that wash? We had slowed right down to pass a boat moored on the bend and was amazed to see it even at our slow pace. The shallow water warnings definitely had to be heeded here.

Before we reached the Lion Salt Works we cruised past the ICI works. Fascinating but a tad smelly.

Bridge 193 was right by the Salt Works and we knew from a previous visit that rings were present. But could we get anywhere near? Already taken we had the choice of putting in pins or mooring at the only rings available under trees. It's a good walk from that bridge and with a mile to walk to where we collect the car on Monday, not ideal. But it will have to do unless a boat moves off the Salt Works moorings in the morning.

 And seen on route,

Hmmm, whats that behind that boat?

Ah, paddleboarders will they look behind?

They did...evntually. Took us 20 minutes though to get past

 And wildlife,