Anderton to Bartington

Ian managed to get the engine serviced yesterday afternoon and we had a late start this morning as we waited for our time slot of 11.30 for the return trip on the boat lift. It was still as exciting as we were given our instructions for our upward journey, making our way back onto the Trent and Mersey. We went through two kinky tunnels, Barnton and Saltersford. Mooring just after Bartington Wharf, with the River Weaver now the scenery below.

Approaching the Anderton boat lift from the River Weaver

  

Approaching the caisson, going up !!

Barnton

Barnton Tunnel, 572 yards

Saltersford Tunnel, 424 yards

Tonight’s moorings, with a view of the River Weaver

Barnton Cutt to Northwich to Anderton

Left another lovely mooring to head back past Anderton on our way to Northwich. Moorings at Northwich were very scarce apart from a high sided wall, we made a quick stop for water and loos and Pip and I had a quick dash to the shops. We had past some nice moorings at Anderton, so instead of going on further we turned back and moored there. It was also an excuse to catch up on the Royal Wedding.

The numerous salt works on the River Weaver

Northwich Town swing bridge

Heading back towards Anderton

Devils Garden to Frodsham to Barnton Cutt

It was a real pull to have to leave our moorings today, it is so peaceful when all you can hear are the birds. Another wonderful day setting off with blue skies, we cruised down to Frodsham, dropping my sister off at Sutton Weaver swing bridge where we booked a taxi. After Frodsham the chemical works start and it gets very industrial so we turned and headed back upstream. Mooring for the night at Barnton Cutt.

Another beautiful day on the River Weaver

Just past Sutton Weaver swing bridge

Dutton lock, showing redundant semaphore signals and dual chambers

Approaching Saltersford lock

Moored for the night at Barnton Cutt

Anderton Boat Lift onto the River Weaver

Our visitors arrived yesterday, so we had to try out the local, The Stanley Arms, where we had a very nice meal. Waited for our time slot the next morning, anticipating our first time trip on the boat lift. We were not disappointed as it was really amazing. The River Weaver is stunning, today we turned right towards Frodsham, passing through Saltersford lock and Dutton lock and found perfect moorings at Devils Garden.

The Anderton Boat lift, a great feat of engineering

Windsong and Serenity, ready to go down

Coming out onto the River Weaver

Winington Swing Bridge, headroom 8’ 10”

What could be better than this?

Saltersford Lock

Acton Swing bridge

 

Sunken craft approaching Dutton lock

Dutton lock

Dutton viaduct, built in 1837

Perfect moorings, time for another great bbq

Great company, me, Pip, Rog, my nephews Connor and Matthew, my sister Denise and Cassie the dog

Middlewich to Anderton Boat Lift

Had a busy day today as we fuelled at Kings Lock Chandlery, shopped at Middlewich and watered etc at Anderton. We are now back on the Trent and Mersey on our way to the Anderton Boat Lift.  As we passed by the Dane Valley we also passed by the flashes where submerged wrecks of abandoned narrowboats lay. From Middlewich we left beautiful countryside into industrial areas, primarily salt works, which have been around these areas since Roman times.

Middlewich Junction

Middlewich Locks

Middlewich

Croxton Aqueduct

Sunken boats in the flashes

Chemical works, not all countryside

Cholmondeston lock to Middlewich

After a lazy Easter Sunday, chilling out, drinking and another bbq to finish another great day. We then had a very scenic run through to Middlewich today. Mooring just before Stanthorne lock. We also phoned ahead and booked our passage down the Anderton boat lift for 10.45 on Wednesday morning.

Just setting off, another nice day

Windsong exiting Minshull lock

Minshull Wharf

Old canal side stables, now a residence

Top flash beside the River Weaver

Beeston Castle to Cholmondeston lock

The first lock today was Beeston Iron lock, as only one boat could enter at a time there was soon a queue building in both directions. Two more locks followed with no hold ups and only had a short wait at Bunbury staircase locks. Although we did have to do the Bunbury shuffle, which we did to perfection in front of the bank holiday gongoozlers. We stopped off at Calveley Wharf services for water etc. which was a former transhipment depot between the canal and railway. Then a sharp left turn at Barbridge Junction to take us onto the Middlewich Branch, mooring topside of Cholmondeston lock.

Masses of bluebells for quite a long stretch

Approaching Bunbury staircase locks

Calveley Wharf

Barbridge Junction

Chester to Egg Bridge to Beeston Castle

More and more working boats were arriving in Chester, so we felt obliged to leave as space was getting tighter. We dropped Denise off by Old Harkers so she could get her train home and we carried on, mooring just outside Egg Bridge. As the weather was still hot we got out the bbq for another enjoyable evening. The following day we made our way slowly past many private moored boats and moored just above Wharton’s lock by Beeston Castle. We must have felt quite energetic as we decided to walk up to the castle, we have been before so we knew what we were letting ourselves in for, but the views are certainly well worth it.

Heading towards Christleton lock

Wharton’s Lock

View of Beeston Castle from our moorings

Hazy sunshine, if you look just beyond the train behind the bushes you can just make out the boats