Reaching Kidsgrove

Entering Lock 44, our 3rd for today

Sunday we moved onwards and upwards, working 4 locks before lunch!  It was a lovely sunny day so we didn't go any further spending the afternoon relaxing on board with all the doors open for a breeze!  We were taking our time so spent the next day pottering about with odd jobs.  In the midst of which we discovered a leak under the galley sink.  Turned out we needed a new waste. So on Tuesday after just a short cruise to Wheelock we got the bus to Crewe where there is a Screwfix.  Despite the old waste having come from there the new one was different.  But Paul got it fixed and all is now good.

Lock 42, you can see the aqueduct carrying the Macclesfield Canal over the
Trent and Mersey Canal.

On Wednesday we got the bus again, this time to Sandbach where we were meeting my cousin Dawn and her husband Dave for lunch in Case Mia.  An Italian restaurant that we found there a couple of years ago.  After a lovely meal they took us to the supermarket before bringing back with our provisions!
Thursday was a busy day with us working up through 14 locks, with very few boats in the opposite direction. Most of the locks in this flight are doubles with 2 side by side.  Although not all the second chambers are open.  Another 6 locks on Friday.  All through fairly small villages, or in the middle of nowhere.  Yesterday was storm Hannah and we also had rain all day long.  So we lit the fire and did nothing at all!  So today again has been a busy day.  Just 5 locks which brought us to Kidsgrove.  The water here is almost orange due to the iron in the rocks.  Then after lunch a walk up the hill to the launderette.
Tomorrow we will be going through Harecastle Tunnel which will bring us to Stoke on Trent.
It will then feel that we really are getting southward.

Leaving Middlewich

Our favourite mooring in Middlewich

Moving on from Anderton on Sunday, it took us 3 days to reach Middlewich.  We did stop a couple of times!  One stop was at a place called Bramble Cuttings.  It is surrounded by private land, so the only way there is by boat.  Only room for 3 boats (of our size) and we were lucky enough to pick up the last mooring.  The middle one!  The next morning both boats moved off so we pulled back as the bank was low and Paul thought it would be a good opportunity to paint one side of the hull.  He had just finished washing the side when it started to rain.

Busy at work!

Whilst it wasn't heavy rain it did last most of the day on and off.  So no painting was done.  But we didn't move on either.  Luckily the next morning was dry and Paul got the job done before we moved off.
We arrived at  Middlewich in time for lunch.
Shortly after, due to an advert I had placed on Gumtree a chap came along and bought our 2 bikes.  We haven't used them in a while and as we are looking to sell Falcon later this year we need to start clearing out a few things!
On Thursday we worked up through Big Lock to moor in our favourite spot.  The picture above was taken by our niece Cheryl who came to visit again.  Think this will probably be her last visit on board as we will be moving out of her area as we head further south.  Must say the weather has improved at lot.  A hot and sunny Easter, just lovely for everyone.  So this morning as we are moving up the remaining 4 locks in Middlewich at the first lock we are 3rd in the queue!  Not so bad though, there were as many boats going the other way.  So once we got going it was easy!  With a stop in the shade for lunch we moored here about 3pm.  Paul is now busy painting the other side of the boat!  I am helping by sitting still!

Back on the Trent and Mersey

Family get together

Well we arrived back at Northwich as planned on Tuesday, mooring in the marina this time. Then on Wednesday we got the train to Stockport to spend the night with my cousin Dawn and her husband Dave. Also whilst there we saw her daughter Sarah who we think it must be well over 20 years since we last saw her.

Going up in the world!

We also met her husband Scott and son Charlie who is not yet 2. So as you may imagine a great time was had by all.  We got the train back on Thursday. Cheryl came to see us again on Friday, making the most of visiting us, as we will soon be out of her area. On Saturday morning we got the lift back up to the Trent and Mersey. At least it wasn’t raining this time but it was cold. Tonight we are moored in the Northwich area but on the canal. Very different than being on the river. Next stop Middlewich.

On the River Weaver

With Julia and Ralf, still on the Trent and Mersey

We arrived at Preston Brook as we had planned on Wednesday morning. Moored by Midland Chandlers only to have another boat arrive coming towards us, only to see it was Campanula with our friend Penny who we have not seen in a year or more!  As ever we were traveling in opposite directions but she was able to stop and have a coffee with us.  Meanwhile our friends Julia and Ralf had arrived.  This we had arranged!We cruised with them for a couple of miles on the Trent and Mersey.  Taking in a tunnel and a stop lock.  After this picture was taken we took a short walk down to the River Weaver and went for a lovely meal in the Leigh Arms.

 They then got a taxi back to their car

With Cheryl in Bombay Quay, another lovely meal.

 whilst we walked back up the hill to Falcon!
On Thursday we carried on through 2 more tunnels to Anderton.  In the afternoon we got the lift down on to the River Weaver.  By then it was pouring with rain and blowing like mad!!
On Friday the weather was much better and we made a short cruise to moor in Northwich where we met up with Cheryl and had a lovely meal.  Falcon is just out of frame on the opposite side of the river.
Saturday we cruised through 2 locks.  The one shown being the first.  Here on the river there are lock keepers, so an easy job for me

In Hunts Lock

Just a case of passing up a rope.  We have been moored at Vale Royal for 2 nights now.  Lovely here Lots of water birds and no buildings in sight.  Although they are not too far away.
Tomorrow we will be mooring again in Northwich, just about where you can see the boats just outside the windows above as we are going to visit my cousin Dawn and family in Stockport for a couple of nights.

Near the end of the Bridgewater Canal

Where did the mooring ring go?

 Thursday was a busy day. Setting off from Leigh we pulled in to Bridgewater Marina for a pump out. According to our Nicholson’s Guide there is a launderette here.  Well they do have a washing machine but no dryers and I had a Lora Lora washing. However this wasn’t a problem as Dave, from the marina, ran us to the laundrette about 4 miles away and came to collect us when we were finished.  In the end we spent the night on their service jetty and all we had to pay for was our pump out and 2 bags of coal! Most marina’s we have been to are very helpful, but I think here they went above and beyond.

Walking to Lymm Dam

 Friday saw us arrive at the Trafford Centre.  A huge out of town shopping centre on the outskirts of Manchester. We have stopped here before.  This time though there were no other boats around.
Saturday we spent shopping. Seemed silly not to!

Lymm Dam

On Sunday we were having an easy start, what with the clocks changing. A constant moan amongst boaters when you are moored and boats pass too quickly. A shout of “slow down” can often be heard. 

Well proof of why everyone should slow down is shown above! As we were sat quietly having coffee a boat went by us going VERY quickly. We heard some clanging from the back of the boat so Paul went to investigate. The force of the boat passing had dislodged 2 huge stones from the bank, one with the mooring ring with our rope attached! Thankfully the canal wasn’t deeper than our length of rope.

Shortly after we moved on!

Yesterday we moved on to Lymm, a pretty little village with a lot of eateries and we didn't try any!  I had seen in our guide book that there was a small lake nearby so after lunch we went for a walk.  It was a lovely day and we saw some lovely scenery.  Today we have moved on almost as far as Preston Brook.  This will take us on to the
Trent and Mersey Canal.  

Lymm Cross