WeaverTrip Day 9 (I think) - Cruising in Company

Having discovered yesterday that one of our domestic batteries has died we did our best to conserve what power we had.  I ran the engine for a while whilst Chris baked some very yummy Vodka and Orange cakes that we later shared with Richard and Sharon (nb Oakapple) and Linda (nb Kanbedun again) in the late afternoon sat out on the tow path until the midges got the better of us so we took refuge back on the boats.  

This morning we planned to cruise the last leg of the Weaver but one obstacle stood in our way.  New Bridge, is shown in the Pearsons as having head room of 6ft 4ins.  We walked to it last night to find the height gauge showing 2m clearance.  Back at AmyJo we got the tape measure out and to the top of the new top box was roughly 1.9m.  It was going to be tight.

Richard very kindly offered to give us a ride on Oakapple if we could not get AmyJo through as they too wanted to do the trip but were concerned about running aground in the flash.  At least travelling together one can help the other if we went aground.

We set off at 10am as arranged and Richard and Sharon followed.

The Oakapples get underway with us

 The run down to New bridge was straight forward with no wind and the sun trying to peek through the light cloud.  When the bridge appeared I slowed AmyJo to almost a stop and drifted up to the bridge.  Would she go under?  The height gauge showed the same level so we inched forward very slowly.  

New Bridge and the low head room becomes apparent

Level gauge showing the levels had not risen overnight

First the horn went under with six inches to spare.  This meant it was touch and go for the top box.  Inch by inch the bridge beam  got closer to the box.  With just 2 inches spare we eventually cleared the bridge.

Just through and the relief evident.  The lady on the bridge actually congratulated us.

No problem for Richard and Sharon, all they did was drop the engine chimney.

 From here on in the skyline was dominated by the salt works.  I did hear this works provides nearly 90% of all salt spread on Britain's roads.  Its easy to see why with endless mountains of salt lining the banks.

The mine lift towers above and is visible for miles

Salt leaving the lift ends up here and is carted away to huge mountains of salt.

One of several Salt "mountains"

 The local pub, the Red Lion had been staging a music festival all weekend and the stage was right on the canal side.  We could just hear the music on the wind last night but was deserted as we passed.

Must have been a great music feastival

The Red Lion is to the left of the bridge shown below.  The bridge also marks the end of C&RT's jurisdiction and lock keeper Mo had warned us we would be on our own if we ran aground.  We knew we would be OK as Mike, one of our mooring neighbours in our marina, used to be based in these parts and had given me good advise on how to proceed.

The bridge marking the C&RT end of navigation

 From here the river does narrow somewhat so winding is no longer an option.  Once past the bridge one is committed.  A few pleasant turns and Winsford flash comes into view around the corner. 

Mike's advise here was to keep left and wind in front of the moored boats and was spot on.  This we both did and did not run aground. 

Once facing the opposite way a small cutting off to Starboard presents itself.  Here new staging and a water tap could be found.  The moorings look quite nice but I do not know what it would be like to stay overnight as the nearby grounds are littered with empty beer cans and other detritus.  Though it has to be said the moorings were clean.

The entrance to Winsford flash looks inviting to the un-aware

Winsford sailing club in the far end of the flash.  We used to sail here a few years ago.

Winsford Flash moorings look quite nice and the water tap is just behind
the centre railings on the right in front of the red car.

 Both the Oakapples, and us, needed water so we pulled in and breasted up to top up both tanks while the sun made a welcome appearance making it quite warm.  Whilst filling up the decision to celebrate with a drink in the Red Lion was made.

Filling up on the new looking moorings

Oakapple leads the way to the Red Lion

Back to the safety of C&RT control

 After a lovely hour or two drinking a great cask ale we headed back to the Vale Royal moorings where we set off this morning with Oakapple leading the way

Lorry dwarfed by the salt mountain adds its load to the pile.

 We still had to negotiate New Bridge but even with more confidence we did not rush but  took it just as carefully in case the levels had risen due to the locks being worked.

Oakapple clears with plenty of room.

Very little room for us but we still get through

So now with a bit of charge in the batteries we are settled for the night. Tomorrow we'll head downstream to Anderton ready to go on the lift for Wednesday.  We may have to call into one of the marinas there see what can be done about the dead battery.

We just this minute got a text from C&RT warning that Wardle lock is closed due to a sunken vessel in the lock.  We do hope the crew are safe and unharmed and that the lock is working by time we get there or our return home may be delayed.

Total distance:2.61 miles Elapsed time:1h55m52s Locks:0 Bridges:3 

Average speed:1.35 mph (1.35 lock/mph) 

 Total distance:0.12 miles Elapsed time:0h15m34s Locks:0 Bridges:1 

Average speed:0.47 mph (0.47 lock/mph) 

Total distance:2.45 miles Elapsed time:1h11m15s Locks:0 Bridges:1 

Average speed:2.06 mph (2.06 lock/mph) 

Weaver Trip Day ? Cos I've lost track of time

like Tom on Waiouru we too have a slight technical hitch.

One of our domestic batteries has passed away and so we struggle to keep a decent charge.  This means chargers are limited to phones only in case of emergencies so the blog updates will be short and sporadic I'm afraid

Weaver Trip Day 8 - Taking a taxi for a change

Last night the rain eventually stopped after tea.  Having been cooped up all day we took ourselves off for a walk.  On our return we met up with our mooring neighbour Linda on nb Canbedun..Again.  She was off to look at the sluice nearby for a check of the water flow so we joined her.  A two mile round trip had us chatting all the way and relieved not much flow was running over the sluice.

Our mooring last night at Barton Cut.

 This morning the sun put in an appearance so we set off.  We needed a shop so the plan would be to stop off in Northwich.

The river on the way into Northwich takes on a rather run down industrial look that seems at odds with the lovely stretches up to now.

Now derelict this wharf looks decide-ably ugly

A little further Winnington bridge came into view.   Head room is only 8feet 10inches so we kept to the left as we passed under.

The left side is higher than the right.

Plenty of room.

 Just outside Northwich stands the second reason for our trip, the Anderton Lift.  We will be returning home via the lift later next week but for now we passed it by.  We could see two boats descending in one caisson as we slowed to watch as we passed by.

The iconic Anderton Lift

 A bit further on and we found this sunken barge that now looks more like an over sized planter.

We arrived at Northwich to find mall the visitor moorings downstream fenced off and scaffolding making it difficult to get ashore though no apparent reason for them being so.  All the mooring bollards were also boarded off so it was obvious these moorings were unavailable.

Fenced of an unusable visitors moorings

There are a few visitor moorings on the right between Town and Hayhurst swing bridges and we managed to stop in the last available space opposite the new marina moorings.

New permanent moorings

We walked into town and strolled round the indoor market where I bought a small scythe that I could cut back the vegetation when we moor.  We stopped for some lunch in Weatherspoons then headed for Sainsburys for our shop.  We bought rather more than we intended so had no choice but to hail a taxi to take us back with the shopping.  I seem to remember we did this in Middlewich a while back.

These are the only available visitors moorings in Northwich

As the weather was still fair and only 2pm we decided to make for Vale Royal as we knew Richard and Sharron on Oakapple were moored there.  They had texted us earlier in the week and  again today so we let them know we were on our way.

We dodged around the work boats at the C&RT depot then passed Yarwoods yard.  I think this is where Joe and Lesley might have had nb Yarwood built.

Just enough room to pass the C&RT work boats

Yarwoods boat yard

This barge was having work done but we could not see what.

Before leaving Northwich  I had telephoned the lock keeper at Hunts lock to book us through and this was ready for us when we arrived as a boat was just leaving the lock.

Boat leaving Hunts Lock

Here the lock keeper insisted Chris stayed in the boat and not out on deck, asking for our centre line.  Seems a few months ago a woman on the roof of her boat had fallen into the lock whilst it was filling and had been swept under her boat.  Fortunately she survived the ordeal but this had shaken the lock keeper so much that he now took these extra precautions and rightly so.  Hunts lock is the deepest at 11 feet and feel quite foreboding when in it due to the rows of blocks jutting out.

Hunts Lock chamber

Nice view leaving the lock

Beyond Hunts lock and away from the confines of the town the river returns to its scenic personality with trees lining the banks once more.  The odd bridge interjects the views as one cruises on towards Vale Royal.

The viaduct is almost hidden by the trees.

After 30 minutes our last lock of the day came into view.  The Hunts lock keeper had phone ahead letting this keeper know of our arrival, however, the closer we got the lock it looked closed and full.  A working boat was moored on the lock landing so I slowed AmyJo to a halt waiting for the lock to open.  After a few minutes I noticed the lock keeper waving us round to the side of the lock towards what looked like a weir.

This is where the lock keeper was directing us towards

It was only when we got close to the caisson we realised the smaller lock was hidden from view around the corner.

Now the second lock comes into view and all is revealed.

Safely tied up in the lock

It was then a pleasant short run down to the moorings where we found Oakapple moored.  Richard and Sharon came out to greet us and helped us to moor up.  After getting tidied away we spent a lovely couple of hours on board Oakapple with glasses of wine having a good catch up.  The last time we met them was at Wharton Lock near Tattenhall last year so its really good to see them again.

Moored up at Vale Royal visitor moorings

A rather shiny looking Oakapple moored here too

I had hoped to do the Winsford flash but you must give 48 hours notice to get New Bridge swung but as its Saturday and the C&RT office is closed until Monday I now doubt we'll have the time to do it so we'll have to be content to walk to it instead tomorrow

Total distance:3.09 miles Elapsed time:1h26m12s Locks:0 Bridges:3 

Average speed:2.15 mph (2.15 lock/mph) 

Total distance:2.87 miles Elapsed time:1h24m46s Locks:2 Bridges:5 

Average speed:2.03 mph (3.45 lock/mph) 

Weaver trip Day 7 - Busy doing nuffin

Well the forecast was spot on.

The met office rain radar showed the rain would reach us by 4am and it did.  Gentle at first then steadily getting heavier as the morning wore on.

We rose early surprisingly enough but the need to go where no one can go for you became too urgent to remain in bed.  I used to laugh at mum crossing her legs when she sneezed but nowadays I don't find it funny any more.

We pottered about for for a few hours then thought we need to do something and not sit about all day so Chris decided it was a good time to give the galley its summer clean (the spring clean already done).  AmyJo has lovely golden beech worktops and these need to be treated every so often with an oil to keep them waterproof.  We do this every couple of months and were now due to be re done.  It does not take long and we feel well worth the effort.

Chris sets to with the wax oil that seals the worktops.  They look great when done and water beads easily on them.

Meanwhile I decided that there is an up side to all this heavy rain and got my waterproofs on.  Over the last few weeks AmyJo's roof and sides were getting dusty and covered with bird nasties.  I climbed up onto the roof with mop in hand and set about wiping everything down using the rain to rinse off as I went (no point wasting water now is there?).  Much to the amusement of our mooring neighbours who thought I could not see them watching.

I was working so hard the camera could not keep up

 Actually this worked quite well.  First I scrubbed everywhere to get the muck off.  Waited a while for more rain to fall then rinsed off.  The roof looks spotless now I'm done and not a drop of water used from a tap so I suppose rain has it uses other than watering the garden :-)

Next door's dog peeps out under the canopy to keep an eye on me

Chris decided this was the best way to photograph me without getting wet

Not a soul about in this weather and no boats moving either

When I put things away in the aft cabin I noticed the inverter had a red flashing LED.  Our battery charge was getting low.  To be fair we've hardly cruised much over the fast few days so no surprise this occurred and why we wanted to get the solar panels.  Chris needed to do some ironing as well so we fired up the engine and put the travel pack genny into use.  This is a 5KV alternator with a travel pack genertor and when running the inverter thinks its plugged into the mains.  It bulk charged the batteries then went into absorption mode just as it would when we return to the marina and plug the mains in.  Two hours later the batteries were fully charged and the ironing was done.

 The rain has finally eased as I type but its too late to move though a few boats have gone past.  Tomorrow we move again, we need to do a shop, so Northwich needs to stock their shelves as Chris will be on a mission, bags in hand (for me to lug back no doubt).