Northwich to Anderton (River Weaver)

This morning we went up into the town as there was an Artisan Market there.  It was raining very hard when we got up, but it eased off when we walked into town.  We had a good look around the stalls and there were quite a few, but then the heavens opened so we went into a café for a coffee and to dry out.

Moored at the Services by Swing Bridge

We had another look around the market and it rained on and off the whole time.  When we went to Nantwich Farmers Market there was an Indian chap there selling his home-made Mango Chutney and we bought some and it was delicious.  We wondered if he might be at this market and we were in luck, he was so we bought three jars, that will keep us going for a bit.

Sunny Afternoon in between Showers

We walked back to the boat and the sun started to come out, so we had some lunch and then decided to move up to the services to get water which is the other side of the swing bridge.

Cruisers going up the lift

We filled up with water, etc. and then as it was still dry, we chugged the couple of miles back to Anderton and moored in the visitor moorings before the lift.

We walked up to the visitor centre and had a look around the exhibition they have there telling you the history of the Anderton Lift and then we walked into the grounds down to the lift.

Steam Lorry

There is a marquee there so we got a coffee and sat by the lift and watched two cruisers go up the lift and the sun was actually shining.

There was also a steam lorry by the marquee which was lovely.

We walked back to the boat and just as we got back inside, the heavens opened again and it poured down, it didn’t last long though and then the sun came back out.

We are staying here tonight then off back up the lift tomorrow, let’s hope it is drier than today!

Moored at Anderton

Barnton Cut to Northwich (River Weaver)

Thursday 7th September

We are moving on today and it was a sunny day, no rain at the moment so that was good.

Coming to Winnington Swing Bridge

Heron in a Tree

We chugged on along the canal which is very quiet now and passed a heron in a tree and then went under Winnington Swing Bridge and then we were passing the huge Chemical Works at Anderton and going past the Anderton Lift.

Chemical Works At Anderton

Passing the Anderton Lift

We went on for another mile or so and then was coming into Northwich.  The moorings were quiet and we got a space easily.

We moored up, had lunch then in the afternoon went up the town to get some shopping.

Coming back into Northwich

We are staying here until Saturday afternoon then heading back up to Anderton to go back up the lift.

Friday 8^th September

Bombay Quay Restaurant

We are staying put today, so after breakfast we went up into the town to get a few more things, then took them back to the boat.  Across from where we are moored there is an Indian Restaurant called Bombay Quay which has really good reviews and looks very nice so we went over there for lunch.

I can see our boat from here!

Our Lovely Meal

It overlooks the river and we got a window seat.  The food was really really good and the dishes were different to what we have had before which is always nice, it was quite classy and the service was really good.  We would definitely go there again and recommend it.

We waddled back to the boat and just chilled out.  There is a big Artisan Market here in Northwich tomorrow so we are staying to have a look around that then if the weather is not too bad, we will head back up to Anderton and see if we can go back up the lift.

Moored at Northwich

Acton to Barnton Cut (River Weaver)

Wednesday 6th September

Back under Acton Swing Bridge

Yesterday (Tuesday) we stayed put as it rained on and off for most of the morning and into the afternoon, so we walked up to the Riverside Inn, which was not too far away and had lunch there, it is a two for one pub, so cheap and cheerful but the food and service was really good.

Today we are on the move just a few miles back to Barnton Cut.

Heading back to Barnton Cut

We set off along the canal and although it was dry, it was quite windy and the river was not very calm today, a few waves.

Not so calm today

Saltersford Locks

After a while, we came to Saltersford Locks and in we went. There was another boat behind us, so they came in as well. We have to pass our ropes up to the lock keeper who puts them around a bollard and drops them back down again and we hold on to them as we go up, it keeps us into the side.

In the Lock

We were soon at the top and the gates opened and out we went.  We chugged on around the corner and moored up at Barnton Cut Visitor moorings.

Out we go

We had lunch then went for a walk up into Barnton, but took another footpath this time from the canal which took us into Barnton a different way.  We went to the co-op for a few things and was going to get some more sausages from the Butchers as we had the others for tea and they were simply delicious, but unfortunately he was closed.  Around here, a lot of the butchers seem to close on a Wednesday afternoon.  Never mind, we will be coming back near Barnton when we are on the Trent & Mersey so will get some sausages then.

We walked back to the boat and just chilled out. We are staying here tonight then heading back down to Northwich tomorrow.

Moored at Barnton Cut

Sutton Swing Bridge to Acton(via Marsh Lock) (River Weaver)

Yacht going under Railway Bridge

Sutton Swing Bridge Opening

Passing under M56

Manchester Ship Canal

We are on the move today and we are chugging down the river almost to the end of the navigation to Marsh Lock which goes out onto the Manchester Ship Canal.  Obviously we are not going through the lock, don’t want to go out there but just going to have a look as last time we went there it was blowing a gale and wasn’t very nice.

Marsh Lock

Cormorants in the Ship Canal

It was a warm sunny day as we set off, we went under Sutton Swing Bridge and stopped at the services by the bridge.  Kev then said look there’s a tall yacht coming under the Railway Bridge and that they were going to open Sutton Swing Bridge and they did and the yacht went through.  It was very tall and it only just went under the Railway Bridge.

Moored near Marsh Lock

Heron Watching us go by

We filled up with water and then chugged on down the canal passing under the M56, this end of the Weaver is very industrial with lots of works running alongside the river.

Back under Railway Bridge

Under Sutton Swing Bridge

After a couple of miles we were at Marsh Lock and we turned around and moored up on the pontoon.  We walked up on to the lock and had a look at the Manchester Ship canal which was very calm today very different from when we were last here. There was a group of Cormorants by the jetty.

Dutton Viaduct

Dutton Locks

We then chugged back down the way we had come, back under the Railway Bridge and Sutton Swing Bridge and after a couple of miles we went under Dutton Viaduct with a train going overhead and came to Dutton Locks.

When the lock was ready, the gates opened and in we went.  We tied on to the chains and up we went and soon we were on our way again.

Going out Dutton Lock

We chugged around the corner and moored up in the visitor moorings.

Davenports Tea Room

We then went for a circular walk, up the road and stopped off at Davenports Tea Room for a drink and then onto the Trent & Mersey canal which runs very close to the River Weaver at this point.  We walked along the towpath and then went off the canal and down a footpath which took us back to the River Weaver, it was a nice walk and we did several caches on the way and we found most of them, so that was good.

We are staying here tonight and possibly tomorrow depending on the weather as rain is forecast so we shall see what is happening when we get up tomorrow.

Moored at Acton

Barnton Cut to Sutton Swing Bridge (River Weaver)

Yesterday we stayed put and walked up to the village of Barnton via the towpath and doing some geo-caching on the way.  We came out by Northwich Antiques Centre which is in an old pub and is on four floors.  It is a great place to look around and they also have a café so we stopped for a drink and a sandwich.

Antiques & Cafe

Northwich Antiques Centre

We then walked on up the road and the Trent & Mersey canal was close by and into the village.  There is a co-op, a Premier shop, a Post Office, a Pharmacy, hairdressers, a few takeaways, a DIY shop and a Butchers.

Butchers in Barnton

We went into the Butchers and he was a very friendly chap and we bought some lovely bacon and sausages and a pork pie.

We walked back to the canal via Salterford lock which is on the River Weaver and we found some damson trees which were laden with fruit so we picked some to make a bit more jam seeing as our first lot turned out so well, let’s hope this lot does as well!

Saltersford Locks

In Saltersford Lock

Out we go

Today we are moving on, so we rang the lock keeper to say we were coming and left our mooring and chugged on to the lock.  Another boat left the moorings as well, so we shared the lock with them.  We stopped at the water point when we came out of the lock to fill up and also picked a few more damsons to make up the amount we wanted and then went on our way and it was a beautiful sunny morning.

Passing under Acton Swing Bridge

We went on down the river and it was so lovely sunny and warm and we then came to Acton Swing Bridge, there was quite a few rowers around this stretch.  We went on and after a bit we were approaching Dutton Locks where there is another rowing club and there was quite a lot of boats on the water milling about.

We headed on to the lock and a boat with 4 girls and a cox in was pretty close to us and they were drifting in front of us so I said to them that we can’t stop straight away and so they needed to get out of the way, but instead of going to the side of us they came straight across the front of our boat and then panicked as I shouted to them that although Kev had whacked the boat in reverse, it takes a bit to stop, they had to lift their oars and the boat was millimetres away from us hitting it. They didn’t even say sorry and then to top it all a lad in a single boat did exactly the same thing!

Passing Acton

There are penguins in Acton!

Kev shouted to the instructor who was in a small boat who obviously didn’t have many brain cells as he just looked at Kev gormlessly when he shouted or could have been swearing at him!!  Also I think Kev told the lad in the single boat he was brainless as well, but I don’t think he said it that politely to him either!!

In Dutton Lock

We got into the lock okay and there was another boat already in there. We put our ropes on the chains and down we went, the lady lock keeper was nice and friendly and soon the gates were opening and out we went. 

Coming to Dutton Railway Viaduct

We chugged underneath the Dutton Railway Viaduct which carries the West Coast Mainline and there was a train going overhead.

Frodsham

On we went and after a few miles, we moored at Sutton Swing Bridge.

We are walking to Frodsham this afternoon, a town about a mile or so away.   Frodsham is a nice market town with quite a lot of shops.  We had a wander around and got a few supplies. There was a good Fruit & Veg shop selling local vegetables, apples and plums.  There is also a Garden Centre not far from where we are moored so we are going to have a look around there tomorrow.

We are staying here tonight and also tomorrow and then chugging up to the end of the navigation on Monday.

Moored near Sutton Swing Bridge

Moored at Sutton Swing Bridge