Middlewich and Elton Moss

Thursday, 22 October 2009 17:41

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

And so to Middlewich - in pictures:-

Middlewich Big Lock

Middlewich Visitor Moorings had a number of boats on them including the Batchelors' Mountbatten and Jellico and Nb Sanity? - the Fudge Boat. I was tempted but John was waiting for me at the bottom lock of the Middlewich Three Locks.

Visitor moorings

Bottom Lock 74 (and Andersen Hire Boats)

Middle Lock 75

Looking back at Top Lock

In case you are wondering, John is not leaving me. he is walking back to open the bottom paddles for Gypsy Rover so that the lock is ready when they arrive!

In the pound between the top of the Three Locks and Kings Lock (71) there can be  quite a bit of actiivity. Today it was comparitively quiet, I just had to keep my speed down beause of the number of boats - mainly Middlewich Hire Boats.

Wrights Bridge 169

After the bridge is a basin, into which the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal empties through Wardle lock and the shortest canal on the System - Wardle Canal.

Under Wardle Bridge and Wardle Lock

Last time we were here I had just taken delivery of my new camera and enjoyed playing! Today we carried on past the junction and into Kings Lock.

Kings Lock awaits

More autumnal effects on the lock wall

We had sausages and chips for lunch from the shop just by this lock - they were really welcome and good insulation against the cold wind and the rain that was just beginning.

Booth lane runs alongside the canal for quite a stretch and finally hives off in the middle of the Booth Lane flight of locks. It is a very busy road, although this photo gives the wrong impression!

John at Booth Lane Bottom Lock (69)

Stud Green Bridge (162) has very low headroom

I had to duck under it and then the last lock was ahead - Booth Lane Top or Crows Nest Lock (67). This is really pretty and it looks as if the building beside it was once a mill.

Crows Nest Lock

The area above the lock has been affected by "wild" brine pumping and rock salt mining. This has meant that the banks of the canal have had to be raised a number of times as the canal bed sank. The canal is consequently very deep and non-swimmers need to be extra careful in case they fall in.

We moored up between Crows Nest Bridge (161) and Elton Moss Bridge (160) in the Elton Moss area. It was early afternoon - our early start paid off!

Trent and Mersey Canal, Marston to Elton Moss - 5 hours 57 minutes, 11.65 miles, 9 locks