As Andrew was leaving us by the end of today we continued our journey for the morning before tackling the car shuffles, bearing in mind the need to get to a train station.This turned out to be a good move as most of the morning was very pleasant by by early afternoon rain and strong winds prevailed.
We began by completing the last part of the Bridgewater, passing the turning at Waters Meeting which goes off to Runcorn.
We called briefly at Midland Chandlers but failed to find any of the items we were seeking - none were urgent and we wanted to be quite specific although a chance to look at some options was helpful. In any event we kept an eye on the time so that we arrived at the first tunnel entrance at the correct time. By the time we were through and on to the Trent and Mersey we were in bright sunshine.
Just after the tunnel comes Dutton Stop Lock - our only lock of the day.
It was very pleasant cruising but we did have to readjust to being on a narrow and shallow waterway once more!
This somewhat draped bridge does amuse us.
Even though still in sunshine with plenty of blue sky to be seen, the occasional darker cloud foreshadowed what was to arrive in the afternoon.
A very green stretch - there has not been enough really hot sun this year to leave us with scorched plants or grass.
We arrived at the northern portal of Saltersford Tunnel (which is immediately followed by Barnton Tunnel) having missed the sign about timed entry. We knew that one of them was timed and the other not but as there was no mention on any of the three signs at the tunnel entrance we carried on in. We were very fortunate that no other boat opted to come in the opposite direction as when we emerged we discovered that we should have waited another quarter of an hour and might have had to back out! Luck was on our side today.
After completing Barnton Tunnel it was a short run to Anderton where we found our overnight mooring and checked again on train times, booking a taxi to take Mike and Andrew to the station. Since Andrew did not want to leave until early evening (he does not like the motorway around Birmingham) we took our time to enjoy a second day of Christine's first soup of the season.
Our booked taxi was over ten minutes late arriving. This was one of the companies that uses a sophisticated computer system that includes the ability for the customer to track where the taxi is before it arrives. Hence we already knew that it was late before it set off and also that just before reaching us it took a wrong turning. We were unimpressed that 'traffic' had to take the blame. We did make it in time to buy tickets and catch our train but it was close than it should have been.
We both travelled first to Crewe where Mike quickly caught a train to Stone and shortly afterwards Andrew took one to Nantwich. Reunited with our respective cars we made our way to Aqueduct Marina where we have booked a mooring for the next three weeks back home. Mike quickly called at the office - very friendly - and found out where our berth will be. Andrew then drove both of us back to Anderton where Christine had an evening meal ready and waiting for us. Andrew set off as planned early evening.
8.4 Miles - 1 Lock
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