Anderton

Saturday 28 June 2014 – Anderton, Trent and Mersey Canal

Yesterday I missed reporting a couple of things: first I managed to pick up a builders glass fibre rubbish sack around the propeller which took a while to remove.  Then there were some interesting boat names – ‘Shackleton, Ice Breaker No 2’ and ‘Brandywine’ which is registered in ‘The Shire’.  Interesting boat names keep me amused even if not you lot out there. (I know I’m only writing this rubbish for myself).

Anyway on to today:

We started out at 08:45 as we had ten miles and five locks to cover.  The first four locks were singles but there were boats coming up which improved our running time.  The next lock was the Middlewich Big Lock where two boats can fit.  After that it was just distance.  At this point the canal follows the contour line so on one side the ground rises and is heavily wooded and the other falls away into the valley.  It also goes through a heavily industrialised part where salt used to be produced, then reverts to pleasant scenery.

At about 13:00 we moored near the Anderton Boat Lift and have had a quiet afternoon.  We were passed by Braidbar No 64 ‘Nuggler’ who I shared a lock with back in April.  Today’s fun boat name is ‘Chas Pooter - Brickfield Terrace, Holloway’.

The weather has been miserable and cold so this afternoon I have been using the fire to warm the boat.