Dutton to Middlewich

Leaving Dutton we wend our way through the lovely woodlands on the edge of the Weaver Valley

Cruising through where the breach occurred in 2012

What a magnificent view!!!

Waiting for entry into Saltersford Tunnel - between half past and ten to the hour.

one coming out

and they kindly warn us of a following boat.....

coming through with a torch for light!!!!

We encountered lots of moving boats at Anderton

We moor up at the flashes south of Bridge 181 and its time for a spot of engine maintenance - "Trev greasing his nipples"!!!

The flashes are now a wildlife haven - a crested grebe

Many boats were brought here and sunk en masse during the Fifites by British Waterways to rid themeselves of surplus narrowboats.  In recent years many wrecks have been raised and taken off for restoration.

On we go to Middlewich Trev has been taking on water while I set Kings Lock

Last of the wide locks for now

and first narrow lock of the season.

Good to see the dry dock is back in use, it looked in a very sorry state when we passed through last year.

Wardle Lock is the first on the Middlewich Arm.  The young chappie on the left is the new owner and renovator of Wardle Cottage. It's pleasing to see it being brought back to life.

Trev is waiting for the lock to empty after making a sharp right hand turn under the bridge.

Mr Swan  guarding Mrs Swan on her nest.

Mooring up beyond bridge 22 on the Middlewich Arm......

and wow what a view of the Top Flash , a subsidence induced lake beside the Weaver.

Trev bares his legs to the world for the first time this year and gets into maintenance mode!!!

Cruise 2015 - Scarisbrick to Dutton Hollow

So it goodbye to Scarisbrick Marina and a big thank you to Daniel and his team for all the help and support  we have enjoyed over the winter.

First swing bridge of the season at New Lane - I wonder how many we will pass through this year?

Renovations at Ainscoughs Mill in Burscough are well underway - will there be residents on our return?

It germination time for the West Lancs farmers.

This being our yearly route out and back it is difficult to photograph something new- here is Parbold Church standing proud on the horizon.

Overnighting at Crooke

Crooke is the home mooring for Ambush - a original working boat from Ainscoughs Mill and used today as a fuel boat for us leisure boaters.

It was such a lovely evening I set to and planted the planters.  The reflection is of Crooke Hall Inn where delicious home-made fare is served.

Onward through Wigan.  This area is down for redevelopment.  The iconic Trencherfield Mill in the background.

Should  I shouldn't I !!!

 For Poolstock locks on the Leigh arm we teamed up with "The Wool Boat" from Burscough. They were on their way to do some trading at Lymm on the Bridgewater Canal.

Here we are moored outside "The Moorings" at Boothstown.

My blog would be incomplete without a photo of this lovely house at Worsley......

or a Bridgewater Canal crane......

and the Barton Aquaduct.

The wheelhouse is down....

and the chimney is off so it can only mean one thing - Preston Brook tunnel and the start of the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Jobs Jobs Jobs

Scarisbrick Marina has been our resting place for the duration.

After getting the two oil leaks repaired the next big job was to fix the "stern gland" which neccesitates the boat being lifted out of the water - a job undertaken by Daniel and Andy.

Trev had to line up the boat with the trailer which is submerged.

With a little gentle persuasion from the pole!!!

Once out of the water Trev took the opportunity of getting to work on blacking the bottom. The three containers are for waste water. Laundry is a definite no no!!!

Dave from NB Serenity kindly volunteered to help with the painting.

Even the weedhatch got a coat of paint.

Looking good and with the stern gland fixed while we spent a week in Grassington it was time to return to the water.