The day started rather drizzly as Mike prepared the boat for departure and moved down to the water point - just a boat length away! The weather forecast had said that it should be sunny spells by now but these did eventually arrive about an hour later.
Whilst the water tank was filling, Mike walked around to the part of the dock where the boats were kept that are to be lifted out. He found that preparations were well in hand to bring out the first boat, Scorpio. This wooden barge with no engine was built for the Wigan Coal and Iron Company.
However, it was obvious that not much would be happening for a while as a lot of pumping was still in progress to empty this and another couple of boats due for lifting today.
On the way back to our boat Mike took a closer look at Mossdale which was the subject of yesterday's move.
With the washing machine on, we both walked back to the viewpoint where quite a few people, mostly CaRT Staff and volunteers, were gathering. There was also media interest - some expensive cameras were in evidence putting our tiny compact to shame!
Scorpio was gradually eased out from under the cover of the dock where it had been stored.
The crane brought its slings into position and each was slipped under the hull as the bow reached each one. The crane company crew seemed at times to be balanced precariously as the eased the slings along.
The crane pulled the boat across to the dock edge where a pump could be out back to remove the last dregs of water as the boat was lifted very, very slowly. Lots of checks were made at each stage and just as we thought that the final lift was about to happen it was decided to remove a number of loose pieces of timber from the bow and stern decks. No chance that anything would fall off as it was aloft.
Eventually we could all see clear air underneath and the boat was swung around, amazingly gently for such a large crane (said to be one of the largest in the country).
Around it went, just missing all the lamps and other potential obstructions . . .
until finally it could be lowered onto the awaiting low loader.
By now it was fast approaching mid day so we returned to the boat and quickly turned our boat around to set off back to Chester.
Whilst we were waiting for the lift, Christine chatted to one of the museum volunteers who has been involved almost from the outset and was one of the crew that brought Mossdale down the Manchester Ship Canal from Northwich were it had been last working. She had a seemingly unending number of stories to tell. One of them answered a query we had yesterday as we arrived. We were surprised by how narrow the channels were under the last two motorway bridges immediately outside the museum basin. We knew that the Chester Canal, from here to Nantwich was built as a wide beam canal unlike the rest of the Shropshire Union.
It seems that initially the plans for the motorway would have had no bridges and cut off the docks from the rest of the canal system. Intensive lobbying by members of the museum trust eventually saw that option abandoned but they failed to get a commitment to a wide channel - just to save a small amount of extra construction cost!
A short while later we saw this object floating under a bridge! It looked almost new.
The sunshine continued as we cruised back towards Chester - as we had spent so long watching the boat lifting we opted for lunch on the go.
Sometimes we see things that intrigue and for which we can think of no easy explanation. This gate between the towpath and the adjoining field is clearly very new, complete with steps. It also has a clear sign saying No Public Access but what is it for?
Yet again, an Airbus Beluga flew overhead on its final approach into Broughton. This time the picture shows more clearly the unusual shape that justifies its name (Beluga means whale!)
Just as we arrived into Chester we realised that serious canal watching can be terminally bad for your health!
After a very quick stop to empty the elsan we started up the Northgate staircase. Today there was no volunteer lock keeper in evidence. However this gave Christine the chance to show a couple from Bermuda how the locks worked and they enjoyed the opportunity to join in. (And getting us free labour . . . )
The locks are very deep so they have to be taken slowly but actually the boat came up very smoothly. At the top it was just a short run into the centre where we planned to moor. Today spaces were rarer so we had to pull in a little further from the station. Where we were two nights ago has a large tree branch fallen into the water and it seems as if preparations are being made to remove it - perhaps tomorrow.
We took a short walk to the station to checkout train information for possible journeys tomorrow. Since we have not yet made any decision further details will have to wait for tomorrow's blog!
8.8 Miles - 3 Locks
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