As we had our breakfast following an early rise, we realised that if we set off immediately (7:30) we would just make the 8 o'clock slot for the Saltersford Tunnel, but if we left it it any longer then we would have to wait until 9.
As we pushed away from our overnight mooring there was a bright blue sky, even if the low sun kept the canal in shade.
Shortly we passed the entrance to the Anderton Lift - not going that way this time. All was quiet, the lift not yet ready for visitors.
As we cruised along the shaded section to Barnton, this heron eyed us warily but left its take off until the last minute - of course it only went a little way ahead so had to repeat the exercise a few minutes later.
The basin at the southern end of the Barnton Tunnel is quite large - at one time boats were repaired here. However, the old maps do not show any specific purpose for the buildings on the left, perhaps they were for senior staff of the canal company. Their access road, called Canal Side, goes back at least to the end of the 19C.
And so into the first tunnel - this one has no restrictions on time. It only takes five minutes to pass through and oncoming boats can be seen all the way from the other entrance.
Once through there is another large basin separating from the entrance to the Saltersford Tunnel. This one has a kink in the middle and so boats restricted to specified times in each direction. We arrived just after the 8 o'clock session began.
We then had a level run for just under two hours. The bright sun, now higher in the sky, sparkled off the water.
Looking in the other direction, the whitewashed bridges gleamed.
By now dog walkers were in action.
Again, there were some parts where the vegetation significantly narrows the navigable route.
The long Dutton Railway Viaduct could be seen in the distance as it crosses the Weaver valley.
The Dutton dry dock signalled the end of this pound.
And the odd shaped stop lock (it is much wider than its entrance yet, even with double gates at the bottom, is not wide enough for two narrow boats) drops down about 150 mm, It was designed to ensure that water could not flow unimpeded from one company's canal to another.
Immediately after the lock is Preston Brook tunnel, much longer than either of the previous two. Although it is reasonably straight and it is possible to see from one end to the other, its length means that at busy times with unrestricted access there can be frustration as boats continue to enter from one end, never allowing enough time for those waiting at the other end to take a turn! We were about 15 minutes early for the 10 o'clock ten minute window so had a little wait.
We are not sure whether the houses above the tunnel portal were part of the canal company but this one, alongside the stop lock, is marked on old maps as the Check Office. Once out at the other end of this tunnel we leave CaRT waters and enter the Bridgewater Canal.
On the short section north of the tunnel before Preston Brook and the eponymous junction this apartment block stand alongside the canal. It seems as if it was intended to imitate the vernacular architecture of canal wharves, but with its steel-barred windows and stark openings on the pseudo loading crane, it does feel a but more like a prison!
We called very briefly at Midland Chandlers for a couple of items but are still searching for a replacement stern deck map that went AWOL at Aston. The junction bridge leads off to Runcorn - we must visit there again as it is several years since we last went down there (it is not greatly exciting but still worth a look if you have time)
The Bridgewater is generally quite wide and although there are sometimes some shallow edges it is possible to make good progress - just so long as not following a slow boat that is disinclined to give way!
At several points we could see Fiddlers ferry power station in the distance on the other side of the Ship Canal and River Mersey. It has recently been announced that the whole of the station is to close early next year so this might just be the last year we have this view.
In the run up to Lymm and the hour or so before lunch the weather turned and we had several rather heavy showers. This boat, now quite elderly, looks very much as one of the distinctive hire boats that were based at Norbury Junction. We hired one in the mid 1970's - it could be wheel steered from the centre cockpit as well as tiller steered from the stern. We have seen a several still in use around the system so they much have been well built.
We have not had an entry in our Unusual Boats gallery for some time so this one makes the grade today.
We arrived at Lymm just after the rain came to an end and lunch time arrived. Whilst Christine and Andrew started on sorting out lunch materials, Mike popped to the nearby shops for a paper, bread and a couple of other items. As soon as he returned we continued on our journey. We were keen to complete as much of the Bridgewater as we could today so that we can have reasonable options for the start of the Rochdale tomorrow.
We took more of a look at what is happening on the old Linotype site when we passed in May but the house building is coming along quite fast. As the above picture also shows, bright sunshine returned and we had a lovely afternoon and early evening.
The canal through Sale is a long and rather straight stretch. We need to fill up with diesel before entering Manchester as we are quite low and do not know of places that supply it for most of the length of the Rochdale. The best option is Stretford Marina (we called here for other services last time - they are a friendly and helpful place) but unfortunately when Christine rang them she discovered that we will arrive just a little too late for tonight. However, we were given permission to moor up alongside their service ;point so that we will be able to fill up as soon as they open in the morning.
28.2 Miles - 1 Lock
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