Tuesday, 21 April 2015

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!!!



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