Dutton Breach Moorings

Today's Navigations : River Weaver, Trent and Mersey Canal

Today provided a complete change in the weather from yesterday. Gone were the grey clouds and soaking rain and in their place we had bright blue skies, a gentle breeze and a much warmer feel.

As we said in yesterday's blog, we only just fitted into the only space on the mooring.

As we left, the space looks much bigger than it is - this is often why it can be hard to judge whether we will fit in or not quite.

Most of the navigable Weaver is scenic - further down stream the banks are open and lack the high protective banking that means on some other rivers views are non existent. Here the river is lined with dense and mature vegetation.

After about half an hour we arrived at Anderton Lift and turned around to come into the waiting mooring. We had made good time so expected quite a wait so took a look at the lift from a different angle. We were booked for 11:30 but it was not much after 11 that we were called to proceed, along with another boat, into the lift caisson.

We had quite an interesting chat with the staff who explained what had gone wrong on our down trip. Later in the day they worked out the problem: the two gates at each end have to be made water tight and the gap emptied before the caisson can be moved. There several hydraulic wedges to help ensure that the gates fit properly. They have a 'normal' setting and one for the times when a bit more oomph is required. Unfortunately, the operator on the last trip yesterday had used that extra setting and then forgot to reset it. Next morning the system was confused about where it was and it was only after doing a reset that it returned to normal service!

Once inside and the gates set properly, we still did not move and there was a considerable delay, Instead of being well ahead of schedule, we were now running late. The reason: a party booked to come down, balancing us going up, had lost one of its number! Panic . . . we assumed that the 'missing person' was found as we eventually started to move and the party on the trip boat were obviously enjoying the experience.

The last few centimetres seem to take for ever before the gap between the gates could be refilled and we were allowed into the waiting section and finally back out onto the main canal. because of the angle between the lift and the canal, boats cannot turn left but, as we needed to do, turn right and immediately wind in the large basin provided for this purpose. We were now on our way northwards on the last part of the Trent and Mersey, then to head along the Bridgewater into Manchester.

Passing along the narrow section before the first tunnel, we came to a footbridge that has been closed for several years. Part of the steep bank collapsed into the water and for a while there were width and speed restrictions. Other than a few left over warning floats there is little obvious but the bridge is well and truly fenced off. As far as we can tell, there is nothing for CaRT to do as he remaining issue is with the footpath as it comes down the hill - it offered a short cut into the village above. We guess that this is for the local authority to deal with but they have not found the cash to fund it. let's hope they do manage to re-instate it before everyone has forgotten that it existed.

Barnton Tunnel follows - it is possible to see if there is any oncoming traffic but the alignment is awkward - the steerer has to go right across the entrance in order to see the other end. It only takes minutes under five to get through but a lot longer if another boat is met half way! With no control, it can sometimes take a while to find a gap to leap in, but today was not busy and we were able to enter straight away.

Saltersford Tunnel follows soon after but is so bent that it is not possible to see if it is clear. As a result there is timed access - for northbound, on the hour for 20 minutes. The boat that we came up the lift with also has come this way and we both had to wait for 25 minutes. There is a designated waiting mooring, complete with bollards. Alas, a boat was moored taking up half of the space, all locked up and right next to the sign that stated Tunnel Waiting! So we invited the other boat to moor alongside us.

After a few minutes beyond the tunnel we found a good spot for lunch even if we are now back in 'banging in pins' territory. Just ahead of us was Emily Anne a well known steam driven boat owned by the proprietor of the Canal World online forum that gives Mike endless opportunities to voice his views on all things canal! 

We continued after lunch for about an hour - were aiming for the good moorings at the Dutton Breach site. As we cruised along we could hear every so often a steam hoot, probably from Tixall coming back up the river. We passed the Black Prince base at Acton - three boats not out on hire and no-one around so it cannot be a turn around day.

Bridge 211 (Dutton Hall Bridge) is known to us for at least two reasons. Early on with Take Five we stopped here to take a walk down to Dutton Locks along a marked footpath, This was the first time that we saw the remains of Scilla which was then in rather better condition that it is now. Also, this bridge was the main way mark when the breach was being repaired.

As the moorings came in sight we were surprised and relieved that only one other boat was already moored so we had plenty of choice.

From here the height difference between the Weaver and the Trent and Mersey can be seen quite distinctly. In the distance is the Dutton Railway Viaduct and just around the corner to the trees on the left are Dutton Locks.

6.3 Miles - 0 Locks