The morning (when we were travelling) was grey and wet whilst the afternoon (when we were not travelling) was often quite sunny, although all day was noticeably cold.
We set off in the dry (when a previous shower had cleared) but almost immediately we were rained on!
Bridge 179 is known as Lodge Bridge and the lodge is very close to the canal and looks very pleasant. It was originally part of the Whatcroft Hall estate - the hall is close by. The Hall was previously owned by John Bishop, the comedian, but he sold it to HS2 as part of its land acquisition programme. He has been an outspoken critic of HS2 which is due to pass within 150 metres of this house. No doubt his disappointment at having to move home is diminished by the fact that he sold it a few weeks ago for just over three times what he paid for it in 2011!
Despite the rain (or perhaps because of it) we were especially struck by how green everything looks at the moment.
At Whatcroft Flash there are some popular overnight moorings - we were somewhat surprised to see this wide beam boat, perhaps a stray from the Bridgewater and further north as it cannot make much more progress south along this canal.
Last time we came this way in 2017 work was just beginning on a new marina in Bellinge Flash. Now, Oakwood Marina is open for business and it looks as if most of the moorings have been taken.
This was in contrast with the slightly older Park Farm Marina, which we passed a few minutes later and which opened only a few years ago, where there were almost have of the moorings empty.
As we neared the industrial area near Lostock Gralam we spotted this small hosing development of just 19 houses but the site is squeezed in between the canal and a road with a high embankment bordering the chemical works settling ponds overlooking. The developers - or their agents - will have to work hard to justify the claim that the site is A stunning waterside development of stylish and highly specified homes.
Soon after the huge Tata chemical works (formerly Brunner Mond) came into view and, as the works use land on both sides of the canal, the next mile was dominated by industrial structures and pipework crossing over our heads.
A pair of ducks opted to land on our roof and were undeterred by the proximity of humans. However, when they found that our deck mop contained no useful food, they flew off once more!
We have seen signs such as this before and wondered what on earth we could actually do in the event of such sirens! I doubt whether full throttle would enable us to outrun any chemical spillage! The site belongs to THOR who use this site for distribution of biocides.
This rather large park home (Ashwood Residential Park) we later discovered now has 100 homes worth another 50 under development and is owned by the large operator of park homes and marinas, Tingdene. Curiously, its web site describes these homes as being for retired and semi-retired people but the lower age limit is 45! We are unclear how anyone who might want to buy a home here can have saved enough (around £120,000 at the moment) in half of their working life!
Just beyond is the Lion Salt Works.
By 12.30 we had reached the service block at Anderton but found ourselves having to wait some time as two boats had just started to fill up with water. Eventually one moved off and we could takes its place and begin our own fill and empty. Our water tank was rather low and Christine plans a couple of loads in the washing machine tomorrow - whilst Mike is away doing the car shuffle. We managed lunch whilst waiting for it to fill.
We moved around the corner to see what spaces there might be for two nights and, as we neared the winding hole by the Anderton Lift, we noticed that one boat was just preparing to leave. It had set off by the time we turned around - most convenient.
The next task was to sort out transport for tomorrow - then plan is to take a taxi (booked) top Hartford Station which is not far away and then the train, with a change at Smethwick Galton, to Droitwich. The car is, of course, currently at the marina there.
Later, Christine went for a walk to take a closer look at the lift and the river moorings below. (She did take some photos but we are currently having a problem with accessing them from her phone). So here are a couple that Mike took when he went on his walk just as the visitor centre was near to closing - the lift had already done its last trips for the day.
Mike was surprised to see that the TATA Winnington chemical works opposite are still standing as he had thought that they were due for demolition. However not much seemed to be happening.
7.6 Miles - 0 Locks
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