Heart Break Hill -Well almost.

18 Locks, 5 Miles. Now moored at Church Lawton.

It wasn’t the best of days to travel but we need to get some mileage under our belts. John on Epiphany had decided on an early start which was a bit of a surprise to us, however we did get a couple of locks done before the rain set in. Along the way we crossed paths with 3 other boats which was a plus with help on the locks.

Only one chamber here, the other has been turned into a waterfall sluice.

These locks were known to the old boatmen as the Cheshire locks and were originally all paired single locks but some of them have suffered structural damage. Two have been shored up hopefully with a view to restore them when finance is available but two others have been infilled never to be used again.

Another lock that could be restored but it has suffered structural failure.

Derek and John on lock duty. Look at those rain clouds heading our way.

Church Lock Lock 47 looking back down on lock 48, Trent and Mersey Canal.

Tonight is the end of British Summer Time or Daylight Saving as it’s called in NZ, so the clocks go back one hour giving us an hours sleep in tomorrow morning. DON’T FORGET TO PUT YOU CLOCKS BACK!

1994 locks, 3868 miles, 75 tunnels, 129 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Hop, Skip and a Jump.

2 Locks, 3 miles. Now moored below lock 64.

With the crew of Epiphany now back on board it was decided that even though it was early afternoon we would make a move albeit a short one. When the decision was originally made the weather was overcast but dry. The minute we cast off it started to rain. There were a couple of heavy showers during the cruise, wouldn’t you just know it! But when you’ve gotta go you gotta go.  

Decisions ,decisions, left or right. Lock 66 Trent & Mersey Canal which has 2 single locks.

We called into the facilities block at Wheelock to replenish both water tanks before negotiating locks 66 which had both locks in operation & 65 which only had one lock in use, the other was leaking like a sieve. We had seen the present moorings on an early visit to the area and we were hoping that there would be room for us. As it transpired we had the whole area to ourselves but that didn’t last long with more boats having now joined us.

1976 locks, 3863 miles, 75 tunnels, 129 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Autumn Splendour

I just love these colours

Odd Jobs and Boat Sitting.

While the crew of Epiphany head down south by train we are chilling out for a couple of days. Boat watching (Epiphany) and tackling all those odd jobs that get put on the back burner for a rainy day. Well the rain actually passed through overnight leaving us with quite a mild autumn day, hooray.

Situated alongside Big lock in Middlewich this place has had a bit of a face lift since we were last here.

Dot set to with the new Digi box for the TV (the old one died on change over day). It transpired that a shop bought coax cable hadn’t been made very well and the 2 cables had come in contact with each other which didn’t help the situation when trying to tune the channels in. We are now able to switch from satellite to Digi box quite easily. We originally thought it was the coax cable through the bulkhead but by process of elimination this was not the case. Thank goodness.

Ain’t they Sweet?

These little fella's were at Kings Lock Middlewich.

It started to rain so Mum called the brood home.

Brrrr It was Cold.

9 Locks, 12 Miles. Now moored near Bridge 160 Sandbach.

Early morning on the Trent & Mersey Canal.

When we set off at 8am the weather wasn’t too bad. The sun was making an effort to appear but as the day wore on the storm bearing down from the North caught up with us. The cold wind was the worst of it because we only had 1 rain shower at Kings lock. At least we were not the only silly beggars on the move as we passed quite a few others doing the same.

Very tidy canal side garden on the Trent & Mersey Canal.

As we have travelled this route before there was nothing new or spectacular except to say that some redevelopment at the site of the Lion Salt works is taking place although we are unsure if it has anything to do with the museum.

Lock 72 Middlewich and there is a cold wind blowing.

By 2pm we were all moored up and in by the heater with a hot cup of soup and toast to try and thaw out our chilled bodies.

1974 locks, 3860 miles, 75 tunnels, 129 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Looooong Cruise.

1 Lock, 22.5 Miles, 3 Tunnels now moored at Marston.

With a long lock free stretch ahead of us it was decided to put in a long days cruising to make the most of the conditions and the weather. First port of call was Thorn Marine at Stockton Heath for diesel and any bits that they had that we might require. It turned out that they did have a replacement valve for the toilet (ours has been playing up lately) and some stretchy’s for the cratch and stern covers, always pays to keep some on hand for breakages. Between ourselves and Epiphany we spent a small fortune but the great service we received, it was well deserved.

Runcorn Power Station. Runcorn Arm of the Bridgewater Canal.

After this little interlude it was all go with the 3 mile stretch above Runcorn providing the best scenic views. When we reached Preston Brook tunnel our timing was out and we had to wait half an hour to enter the tunnel. South bound boats are only allowed to enter the tunnel between half past the hour until 20 minutes to the hour.

Runcorn Water Tower.

Reaching Saltersford tunnel we were more fortunate and only had to wait 10 minutes to proceed which allowed us through this tunnel and the Barnton tunnel with the short pound in between all in one go. We were very fortunate in that from the time we exited Preston Brook Tunnel the weather improved quite markedly with a clear blue sky and some winter sunshine. We made the most of this by continuing further than we anticipated.

Nb Epiphany exiting the Southern end of the Preston Brook Tunnel. Autumn splendour.

1965 locks, 3848 miles, 75 tunnels, 129 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006