Blown to the Bridgewater

After yesterday’s abortive attempt to move northward, we did rather better today. The forecast was for blustery showers and sunny periods, and for a change it was spot on.
Moving out from Marbury before 10:00, we watered at the services at Anderton, passed the lift and through Barnton Tunnel, and arrived at Saltersford Tunnel just on time. Like Preston Brook, this one-way tunnel has timed passages, northbound on the hour and up to 20 minutes past. It’s only a 10 minute passage, but there’s a dogleg in the middle which prevents a clear view through.

Up to now we’d been fairly well sheltered from the brisk wind, but, emerging from the woods at the north end of the tunnel, we were exposed to the full force coming up the Weaver Valley. Splendid views, though.

Weaver Valley
Windchimes doing double duty on NB John Henry
Acton Swing Bridge carries the A49 over the Weaver from Warrington to Whitchurch.
This road crosses the river again further south, west of Nantwich. It’s barely more than a stream there though. The Weaver Navigation is closed to boats at the moment, with high water and a strong stream.

Looking towards Dutton Lock

Just visible is the wreck of the Chica, sat on the bottom above the lock for the last 16 years. I mentioned her when we were on the river in May 2008.

MV Chica, from previous post.
Oh, heck. Floating Pennywort on the T&M

We arrived at the south end of Preston Brook Tunnel with about 10 minutes to spare, then dove underground, leaving the Trent and Mersey behind, and re-appearing into daylight on the Bridgewater Canal, and into a heavy shower. It was sunny at the other end!

It doesn’t look like Claymoore Navigation have many hire boats out.
The rain soon stopped, and so did we. We pulled over at Moore, and I popped across to the handy Post Office to send Howard’s car parts that I collected yesterday. We’re staying here tonight, and then will go to Thorne Marine for fuel (all 3 types!) tomorrow. We’ll probably end up somewhere near Dunham Massey.

There’s a comment on yesterday’s post regarding the government proposal to sell off BW property, requesting more info. Here there’s the Inland Waterways Association response, and there’s funding information if you follow the link from Andrew Denny’s site Granny Buttons.

Incidentally, there’s discussion of another BW sell-off at Marsworth on Granny B and also on Sue’s blog, No Problem.
If this goes ahead, at least the money raised may stay within BW’s control…..

And finally, the Staffordshire Sentinel reports a boat fire in Stone. Three boats involved, one unfortunately Terry and Monica's Phyllis May. This is the boat they sailed across the channel and down to the South of France, then across the Atlantic (deck cargo this time) to cruise the Intracoastal Waterway down the east coast of the States.
What a shame, but at least no-one was injured.

Locks 1, miles 11