Moore

Today's Canals - Trent and Mersey, Bridgewater

Today was frequently rainy and at times very wet. The occasional bright spell came along to cheer us up this Bank Holiday Monday.

We did not make an early start!

By 10:15, with an eye on the timed entrance to Preston Brook Tunnel - on the hour for just ten minutes - we pootled along to the only lock left on this trip, the stop lock. our arrival there was heralded by the sight of the dry dock but alas, although it seem sin pretty good nick, there is s cant evidence of it being in use.

Although walkers had warned us of a queue ahead, they were actually below the lock, waiting for the 11 o'clock starting pistol. One boat was coming southwards and then we were able to drop down the 90 mm that is enough to ensure that the lock has to be used and to control the flow of water. Canal companies were always highly protective of their waters and feared that others might steal 'theirs'.

By the time we were through the lock the convoy had already started into the tunnel, perhaps a few minutes ahead of schedule but it is possible to see through to the other end of this tunnel. The timing is because it is not possible to pass inside.

Out the other end just over a quarter of an hour later - the boat at the front of the convoy was taking it rather gently. Actually, it is easier to steer a line away from the walls at a decent speed, dropping down to tick over makes it harder! We were immediately warned (by the sign in the foreground but facing away from the camera) that we were entering the Bridgewater Canal which has its own licences. A small number of years back, Peel Holdings withdrew from its long standing reciprocal licencing with CaRT and imposed a 7 days in any 30 limit on boats with a CaRT licence. As yet, the matter seems at in impasse although boats with a Bridgewater licence still enjoy the same benefits as before.

A short distance later we passed the former Gauge House (the names is next to the front door). We have not been able to find any reference to when it was last in use but we assume that it was important in collecting tolls as boats passed from one canal company to another.

At Preston Brook we passed sad and now closed up base of the former Claymoore Hire Company which shut for business earlier this year. Extra sad because it seems that they were well regarded.

Just beyond is one of the Midland Chandlers shops an there were several items we were looking for so it was fortunate that they were still doing their Crick Special 15% discount today!

Service points are rare on the Bridgewater so we felt it important to divert a very short distance along the Runcorn Arm to the water and elsan point outside the Preston Brook Marina. (Well, better a pic of the entrance than the service point!)

Once filled and emptied we reversed about 100 m to that entrance in order to turn around. There is a small mooring area at a former warehouse and then a short aqueduct over the main railway line.

We returned to the junction at Waters Meeting but then turned left towards Manchester. There had been a rally at Lymm over thew weekend we think. In any event there was a real flurry of boats, mostly smaller cruisers of uncertain vintage, all seeking to head towards Runcorn around the blind bend. They did seem to be running a race as slowing down was not part of their agenda!

As soon as we could we pulled and moored for a slightly late lunch. The sun gradually came out and at least one of us felt quite soporific. There is little doubt that this is fake photo but their was a witness . . .

It was really pleasant as set off once more - we were hoping to find a newspaper at the Post Office and Village shop in Moore, just metres from the canal. Alas, it closes early on a Bank Holiday. We moored for the night at a rural spot just around the corner. This gave time to do a little more at the paint restoration but as Mike waited for the first coat of primer to dry dark clouds gathered. Rain arrived and blighted the rest of the day.

6.1 Miles - 1 Lock