Friday, June 22, 2007

We’ve spent more time dodging showers these last 3 days than actually cruising. Wednesday wasn’t too bad, just occasional spits of rain. Last summer when we were looking for a suitable boat, we inspected ALICE, a 57’ David Piper, fitted out as a live-aboard by the owner. The standard of workmanship is exceptional, but the layout is unconventional. This probably explains why she is still for sale. She is moored now at Harrals, at Wincham Wharf, and is certainly worth a look by anyone seeking a live-aboard.

NB ALICE, the white boat against the wharf, at Harral Brokerage in Northwich. (Ref 4650)
We came down through Northwich, and moored for the night at the flashes as usual.

Yesterday we set off at 09:30, in bright breezy weather. Unfortunately it wasn’t to last, with cloud filling in from the south. We got away with it till Middlewich, but from here on the showers started.
We pulled over just after Kings Lock, and I popped across the road for a fish and chip lunch, then set off again in a drier spell. But inside 10 minutes we were in a deluge again. Took 5 minutes just below Rumps lock for it to pass, then pressed on through the next 3 locks. Moored for the night just above Crows Nest lock.
The navigation was quiet in the morning, but got busy after Rumps. Part of the traffic was 7 craft from the Acton Bridge Cruising Club, returning to home waters after a fortnight trip around the Cheshire Ring. They’ve booked the Anderton Lift for most of Saturday morning to get back down onto the Weaver!

Today once again started brighter, but rapidly deteriorated. We left it till 12:30, hoping for a break in the rain, but our trip down to Wheelock was pretty damp.
Did some shopping for dog food (a useful pet supermarket in the village) and bread and milk, then onto the services for water etc.
No sign of improvement in the weather, so we called it a day on the 48 hour moorings just past the village. We can see the 1st of the Wheelock flight from here, and we’ll get an early start in the morning to tackle them before the weather breaks down again.

Locks 9, miles 15 (in 3 days!)

Stop Press - Just put the link on to Harrals, and I see that someone has paid a deposit on ALICE. They'll be buying a very good boat.

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