Barnton Cut Moorings

Today's Navigation : River Weaver

The day started fine if a little chilly but rain was forecast with a high probability for the afternoon. Before leaving Devil's Garden, Mike took a look at an innocuous-looking concrete structure in the far corner of the field. Overnight we had done some research and discovered that the famous 19C water pipeline from Lake Vrrnwy, that has supplied much of the water to Runcorn and Liverpool, runs under the river at this point and that this is some form of access facility. The dam which created the Vyrnwy reservoir was the first stone dam in the UK. The pipeline is around 68 miles from start to finish.

The name is cast into the cover plates, just to confirm what the internet had told us. Each is labelled with a different function.

The line continues on the opposite bank, its destination not far away now. We also discovered during our research that the prominent water tower on a hill near Preston Brook Junction, is also part of the scheme. We should see that in the next few days.

A solitary rower was enjoying the morning sunshine whilst it lasted.

When we arrived here yesterday, there was a herd of cattle taking a close interest from the adjoining meadow. By evening they had all disappeared. However, they now started to reappear from the trees on the far side of the field.

It seems that they come here to enjoy a morning drink from the river at the convenient ramp down from the farm track.

Shortly after leaving the mooring we noticed that the northern towpath has been recently upgraded with a large amount of material brough in. We could not work out why as it is far too expensive for just a  cycleway (and in any case only runs for just over a mile by the river) but not seemingly wide enough for large industrial vehicles.

Frodsham Cut goes off to the left but is no longer navigable. This was the original line of the navigation, and continued to provide a link to the ship canal after the Weston Canal was built to access the docks near Runcorn.

At the next junction the river leaves the navigation, which continues as a pure canal. Two signs tell boaters which way to go but both are well obscured by vegetation and anyone thinking of taking the wrong route would have to make a very last minute correction!

We were planning to stop at the service block beside Sutton Swing Bridge but the heritage ship Daniel Adamson (aka The Danny) was taking on supplies including water. (see here for more info) They would have let us taken on ours but we said that we would manage on the way back when hopefully they had filled up. They were also re-stocking the bar in readiness for their next outing on Friday.

The M56 spans the river at some height - traffic seemed to be moving freely this morning.

At the Runcorn Rowing Club, remains of the the former low level swing bridge can still be seen.

We now started to encounter the extensive chemical works that line almost all of the rest of the navigation - the region is known for this industry. 

We had cheery waves from workers on the scaffolding - and on the way back as well!

A couple of windsocks mean that they at least know which way the wind is blowing!

Last time we came here we spent some time at Weston Marsh Lock that links down onto the Ship Canal. A handy mooring pontoon is still in place but, alas, we found that the steps up are missing, We were told later that they were 'removed' by an errant trip boat and yet to be replaced.

This building is now derelict and sounds of large pneumatic drill suggest that the concrete chimney is being readied for demolition. We think that this was known as the Weston Point Power Station, built specially to supply the chemical works. As well accessing the main grid supply, a new power station has been built on another part of the site. (see here. Interesting to note comments from 2011 about the amount of pollution still being emitted from the site onto the navigation. What surprised and pleased us was just how clean and green the canal felt this time.)

We had to turn around at the junction with the former Runcorn and Weston Canal - only the first lock can be seen. Even the last half mile to the ship canal junction is blocked by a non-functioning swing bridge.

This plant has its own pylon-carried electricity supply. Bet the energy bill is ginormous! A little further, another plant also has its own supply dropped off from a different transmission line.

Back at Sutton Bridge we could see that the service mooring was now occupied and so we had a bit of a wait before they were ready to leave. We did a 'full service' and yet another boat arrived just as we were almost complete.

Another couple of pictures of The Danny, the better was just after we had left to continue on upstream.

By now the promised rain had arrived. At first it was light drizzle but gradually turned heavier - saving the worst until after we had moored for the night. 

The steam driven narrowboat Tixall (built in 1986) gave each passing boat a loud toot and puff of steam as it passed - we could only reply with our mundane electric horn!

We planned on mooring for the night at the last Visitor Mooring just after Saltersford Lock. After that the next is back at Anderton Lift. As we approached it was with some dismay that it seems  as if all the space was already occupied but at the last minute we spotted just one gap near the far end. We came in very gently and were relieved to find that we could fit with very little to spare. But at least we could now sit out the rather heavy rain in the dry.

16.9 Miles - 2 Locks