Lymm to South of Bridge 3 on the Bridgewater Canal
12.25 miles, 0 locks
As seems to be the normal start to the day, Monty and I set off on foot before the boats left Lymm.
I was admiring this house from across the cut and said so to the lady who lives there
I mentioned how much I liked her planter - her reply was 'it is actually a seat, but not very comfortable, so I put a basket of flowers on it'. Perfect!
I missed these two characters lurking at the bottom of someone's garden when we headed north
On we went passed Thorne Marine which was once a fodder store, stables and staff house for the packet boats and more recently it was once used as a morgue!
We wondered from a distance what was going on here
They were waiting for this little trip boat 'Wizard'
It is Sunday so no one was enjoying a scenic lunch at Sci-Tech Daresbury today.
They certainly do not want you to hang around!
Our mooring was a perfect location - far enough away from both the railway lines and the approaching motorways
The side hatch view was quite acceptable
The neighbours were charming
and who can resist a Highland Cow?
The footfall was limited and the passing water traffic provided amusement. These two ladies were travelling with a couple of small dogs in the canoe - they stopped to let the dogs off to do what dogs need to do. It took them quite a long time to persuade them to get back on board!
So why if this mooring was so good, was it time to move on? Read on!
Sue, Monty and I walked up towards the Runcorn Arm by the motorway. We followed the towpath to the left hoping to walk along a short way, but there is no way through without going through the housing estate, so we gave up and walked back towards the boat.
Ahead of us was a group of people - from a distance it looked as though they might be on motorized bikes, but surely not? Sadly yes - as the first one set off at quite a speed we moved to the side ensuring Monty was with us out of the way. Did he slow down? Not a bit of it - he roared past us
The next two were somewhat slower - the child at the back was quite young. I did mention that this was a towpath for boaters, pedal bikes, walkers, dogs and horses. The reply was unprintable, but in summary he reckoned they were here first, they always do it and will continue to do so! The rest of the group were on foot. One did apologise for his mates language, but agreed that they consider this sort of transport is acceptable on a tow path!
So run in number one.
Thankfully we had a quiet night.
Monday 15th July 2019
B3 Bridgewater Canal to Anderton
8.75 miles, 1 lock, 3 tunnels
I started the day with a walk back towards the Runcorn Arm.( Part the way along there is path across the fields that takes you under the railway towards Runcorn. Worth a try I thought, but as I approached a women popped out (it is a blind entry/exit). She popped back and shouted at me to put my dog on a lead and that he should always be kept on a lead. Before she had finished talking I had Monty sitting at heel and tried to explain to her that I always pull him over if we see a dog on a lead, but we had not seen her. Monty was completely under control and really does not need to be constrained to continual lead walking. She explained that her dog is nervous of other dogs and went on her way without incident, but I am not sure she was that happy. Run in number 2.
Monty and I turned down across the field
We got as far as the tunnel under the bridge, but I had to concede defeat - my knee will just not cope with a slope like that.
Back to the towpath we went and turned right to continue towards the Runcorn Arm. There was a boat moored with a man checking his engine and a small dog leaving a deposit on the tow path. It was not is dog - the owners appeared up from a road below and claimed ownership. I told them what the dog had done and where - their answer 'it is on the grass not the path, I can't see it, so it does not matter!' I said I did not think that was the point as people still walk on the grass for a multitude of reasons. They walked off. Run in no 3! Time to go before I upset anyone else.
However I cannot leave without mentioning the amazing Norton Water Tower in Runcorn - it was built between 1888 and 1892 and it does dominate the horizon for a few miles. It is 99 feet tall with a diameter of 82 feet. The cast iron tank at the top holds 650,000 gallons of water. The inscription on the outside of the tank is 'This water, derived from the sources of the Severn, is brought to the City of Liverpool, a distance of eighty miles, through the mountains and over the plains of Wales and the intervening country, at the cost of the municipality, in the year of Our Lord 1892.' If you want more information look HERE
I had noticed a crowd of men by the motorway on my walk. By the time we set off it became apparent who they were. One told us it was an OAP fishing match and he was hoping to catch enough sardines to fill a tin! It was all very good natured and I am sure they had a good day.
After a brief stop at Midland Chandlers (we now have a working solar fan for the composting loo again) it was onwards in the hope that we did not have too long to wait at the timed tunnels. First past this book case with books to help yourself to
The first tunnel was Preston Brook with entry going south between 30 and 40 minutes past the hour
We made it with about 10 minutes to wait and got through in good time
which left us with around 50 minutes to travel 4 miles to hit the time entry at the next tunnel. There were moored boats all over the place, so no chance, but the delay allowed us time to eat lunch.
One more tunnel with no time constraints and then a few more miles and we were in Anderton. We moored opposite the lovely house I posted pictures of when we came north.
This was their steam roller planter in April
and this is it today
and look what we found in the grass where we moored - brand new and shiny.
The locals visited for tea
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