As we turned right onto the Runcorn Arm for water, we saw a familiar looking boat pulling onto the Midland Chandlers mooring. It was Mo and Ness on NB Balmaha. We knew they were somewhere around, they’re heading into Liverpool this month. They were accompanied by Mike and Jo on NB Sarah-Kate.
We hastily filled and emptied as necessary, and headed back to the junction, hoping to catch them before they headed north, only to see them coming towards us. They’ve plenty of time, so decided to have a look up the Arm before continuing up the main line.
We all hung about in mid-stream, having a quick chat before going our separate ways.
They’re intending to moor where we did last night. What a shame we missed them by a day. They’re good company, and we’d not met Mike and Jo before.
We made a visit to Midland Chandlers ourselves and then arrived at Preston Brook Tunnel just after 12:30 so were able to go straight in.
There was the first glimmer of the sun just before we entered the hill, but it had gone again by the time we emerged at the other end.
We’d followed a couple of other boats through, so had a few minutes wait before ascending Dutton Stop Lock, all of 3 inches! Still, it’s our first lock for a few days.
Waiting for the Stop Lock.
We’re now back on BW waters, the venerable Trent and Mersey Canal.
We pulled in alongside Longacre Wood, just half a mile from the tunnel. Meg likes chasing the squirrels here, and it’s pleasant walk down to Dutton Lock on the Weaver, too. I want to get Fred Coppenhall’s (the lock keeper) second book, now I’ve read the first, Fools and Villains.
We’ve always seemed to be in this area in the late autumn or early spring. Consequently the abundant vegetation on the towpath caught me unawares.
Now where did I put those shears?After a few weeks of fast 3G modem connections we’re now back to the pedestrian-with-blisters GPRS. How an earth did we manage in the old days? It’s going to take me some time to upload this post……
Locks 1 (well, almost), miles 4½
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