We are Townies tonight!

Saturday, 25 April 2009 18:21

We had a bit of rain this morning - the first for ages. It did not last long and by the time we were ready to leave after lunch the sun was out.

Vale Royal Lock has timed passages and we were going down on the last one at 2.30pm. It only took about ten minutes from our mooring, but as the lock was empty we had to wait for the Lock Keepers to fill it. This took quite a time due to the size of the big lock.

As before, the Lock Keepers were very friendly and helpful. They have had a quiet few days as only a handful of boats have been up the lock.

There was some work at the bottom - some new piling and also pontoons

As there is no real lock landing for Vale Royal maybe they are putting these there in anticipation of the summer rush!

As we went under Hartford Bridge the river looked lovely up ahead

Next was Hunt's Lock: already open and waiting for us. Our ropes are just about long enough for this lock which, at 11 foot 2 inches, is the deepest on the Weaver Navigation. By the time we were down, I was just holding the last foot or so of rope from the bow well. I suppose that if it was any deeper I could stand on the bow! The Lock Keepers are very mindful of the boats banging around and the paddles are raised slowly and gently anyway.

At the bottom a new pontoon has been installed in the last couple of days

At the BW Yard there were more pontoons moored awaiting their fate

There was only one mooring our length left on the moorings before Town Bridge Northwich. However, we needed water and the elsan point, so went on to the BW sani-station beyond the bridge.

Once sorted, we reversed back to the mooring, next to the Trip Boat mooring and tied up. The bollards are not in the best places here, so our stern rope is on a crossed double pin (for safety) and our bow rope is on a bollard. The bow and middle fenders are next to useless so out came one of our tyres.

We are moored directly across from the boarded up Quality Inn "Flotel". It is poignant to remember that we sat in the restaurant there looking at these moorings wondering when we would ever get here on our own boat!

John was wondering how they will manage to demolish it, as it is floating on pontoons. Some of it may have to be craned out we suppose.

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