Contrasts between the Weaver and Trent and Mersey

Tuesday, 05 May 2009 20:32

On a rainy day we bade a sad farewell to the River Weaver Navigation.

The Weaver Way was quiet after the weekend walkers had disappeared

At Dutton Locks another boat was coming down so the lock was nearly ready for us. I had a good natter to the Lock Keeper about birds. There were Swallows flying all around the lock and Epiphany, an amazing sight.

The Lock Keeper is a Bird Spotter both at work and in his spare time. He told me that yesterday the first Swifts of the year arrived at the Lock - two of them. This morning he saw six and in summer time he has Swallows, Swifts, and two types of Martins there.

What a wonderful bonus to be able to enjoy your hobby at work, even on a rainy dull day! I think there is a bit of competition between him and his ornithological mate at Vale Royal Lock!

We lunched at Acton Bridge whilst we fillled up with water and then motored on to Saltersford Lock. We had to wait in the lock for a cruiser to arrive, it then proceeded to speed ahead of us. We kept up with him for quite a while! I don't think he expected us to do so - but we slowed down for some moored boats so he soon was well ahead!

We caught up as Winnington Swing Bridge was closing after him

We rang ahead to the Anderton Lift and there was a space at 2.30 if we got there in time so we pushed on quickly. As we winded the boat already there set off to the left-hand caisson and, after a quick check by the staff, so did we.

Anderton Lift awaits

We seemed to go up very quickly once the lift started, but maybe that was because we were both nattering so much at our respective ends (of the boats - Ed)! John chatted to Mark and I was chatting to Dor who were on Nb Gundagie on their way to Manchester.

All too soon we were up and in the holding aqueduct. At the entrance there is no left turn, so turning right we went to the winding hole on the Trent and Mersey Canal to turn towards Barnton.

Entrance bridge

Nb Gundagie waiting to wind too

All our Anderton Lift photos are here. Down and up!

Passing the entrance again I felt momentarily sad but we know that we will go back down onto the Weaver again, as we loved it so much. It was very strange to be back on a canal again!

This first bit of the T & M is very narrow and so we had to avoid a few boats weaving in and out of the moored ones just after Anderton.

Wild garlic was growing in profusion along the towpath and the strong smell took us back to Cornwall, the path up tto St Mawgan in Pydar Church and the Churchyard at St Just in Roseland - a Garden of Eden before Tim Smit ever dreamed of his Eden! John was privileged to be Vicar in both of these Parishes.

Garlic lined towpath

Mooring just before Barnton Tunnel we took a walk up the hill to the small shops - a Post Office, butcher and convenience store. We then explored the path over the tunnel.

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