Two Canals in one glorious day

Monday, 19 October 2009 20:13

Goodbye Bridgewater Canal. Hello Trent and Mersey Canal!

It is such a shame that we have to be "steaming" ahead to beat the stoppages and enable me to visit Harefield. They want to check up on me after my stay in HRI. Consequently we left Lymm fairly early to makes sure we were well onto the Trent and Mersey Canal before mooring up.

It was a day of autumn colours, tunnels and interesting boats.

Colours within the first 15 minutes

We stopped at the beleaguered Thorn Marine in Stockton Heath. They have been fighting a battle for 7 years - the historic building is due to be razed to make room for 4 new houses. Nigel and Margaret have had fantastic support from boaters - protests, petitions and canal blockage have managed to keep the threat at bay, but every three months they hope to have to pay the next rent.

Thorn Marine

We (Gypsy Rover and Epiphany) did our bit by filling with diesel, buying coal, patronising the chandlery and signing their petition. They deserve all the support they can get as they were really friendly and helpful. It can be no fun running a business from quarter to quarter. The only good thing is that Warrington have stopped all new building due to the recession.

We were soon passing Moore and Daresbury. We visited Daresbury on our way North in May. It was the home of Lewis Carroll.

This "Bridgewater" crane is at Moorefield bridge (6)

The cranes are at all the points that stop planks (usually bridges) can be lifted into the canal, enabling it do be drained for maintenance. There are some impressive, well maintained examples along the length of the canal.

The Junction with the Runcorn Branch is just before Preston Brook

The canal down to Runcorn used to be the Main Line of the Bridgewater down to the locks into the Manchester Ship Canal. Again we "did" this on our way North.

Under the M60 bridge and immediately after is Midland Chandlers and Claymoore Navigation Hire Base. Preston Brook Bridge (1) was the last (or first, if travelling North) bridge on the Bridgewater Canal.

Once through we were on the Trent and Mersey Canal

The character of the canal changed almost immediately. But more of that later!

Bridgewater Canal, Lymm to Preston Brook - 10.25 miles, 3 hours 12 minutes, 0 locks