The Three "Ms"

From Marston, to Middlewich and then Moss - Elton Moss that is!

An early start from Marston this morning as we had the Middlewich Locks and the Booth Locks to get through before we could call it a day.

Marston Bridge 193 with the Lion Salt Works beyondLion Salt works

They have really started on the restoration of the works now - there were diggers over the fence!

Northwich on the Trent and Mersey is basically just a collection of boatyards and factories and a place to "get through" as soon as possible. A few things were worth a photo!

Boatyards as far as the eye can seeNorthwich boatyards

Tug Boat Storm and boat liftTug baot Stormboat lift

What was the ICI worksold ICI works

After Northwich the countryside once again bears the scars of the salt mining industry, with subsidence of the fields alongside the canal. The Old Broken Cross Pub is supposed to be a good place to moor, but we had been quite OK before Marston Bridge.

The Old Broken Cross (Bridge 184)Old Broken Cross pub

Billinge Green Flash is where the canal has spread into the fields that have subsided and created a wildlife haven and an attractive place to moor, if one can ignore the rotting hulk in the middle!

Billinge Green FlashBillinge Green FlashHulk

The forecast had been for rain as from about 10am and the rain clouds became very threatening in the Whatcroft area - were we going to get soaked or not?

Rain coming?rain clouds

Someone was looking after us, as the rain passed and the sun even peeped from the clouds, but it was still cold and I was wrapped up well, even when sittting in the bows!

Proof that I am really back "on board"!Fi in bows

Lodge Bridge 179 is a lovely place to live!Lodge bridge

The Trent and Mersey Canal is more or less following the line of the River Dane and crosses it on the very narrow Croxton aqueduct. This used to be wide enough for the salt barges to lock up Middlewich Big Lock (completing an almost lock free run from Manchester, Wigan, Runcorn and  Preston Brook) and into Middlewich to unload their cargo.

Leaving Croxton AqueductCroxton aqueduct

The aqueduct collapsed many years ago and for some reason was replaced by this 8foot 2 inch wide one. Those measurements must be to the outside of the trough as we only just got through. A narrow boat that has "widened" over the years might have difficulty!

And so to Middlewich - in pictures:- ... in the next blog! 

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