Devil's Garden

Today's Navigations : Trent and Mersey, River Weaver

Yesterday afternoon we managed to book a passage down the Anderton Lift at 10:45. Boats have to be in position on the waiting mooring half an hour ahead the scheduled departure in order that, if needed, staff can check that a boat is suitable and to give a briefing for newcomers. We had been several times before and so did not have to go through it all again!

As we were waiting we spotted a notice that this last weekend had been an event for pirates and visitors were warned to expect loud bangs from their cannons. Not that we heard any but it did explain why the visitor centre was even busier than it might have been.

Looking down from the mooring, the scale of the structure becomes apparent.

Once the member of staff had made contact with us he directed us into the waiting area - a sharp left under this footbridge.

And so into the waiting area - by now the entrance gate was already open so we could go straight in with further ado. We were the only boat descending on this trip.

There is a sealed section between the entrance gates in the previous picture and the actual caisson. 

There is a delay here whilst the caisson is opened. Time to chat with the staff.

Now we could proceed into the lift itself. Then another wait whilst the narrow gap between the canal gate and the end of the caisson is emptied. Before long we were slowly dropping down.

Half way and the other caisson passes us on the way up. The large hydraulic piston that does the actual heavy lifting can now be seen.

Once at the bottom we were warned that yet another short wait would be needed to allow the gap at the other end to be filled. This is where things started to go wrong!

We could see the cables attached to the two gates begin to take the strain and start to unlatch the gate to allow just enough water through. But then nothing! The cables relaxed and started over again. Still nothing. We were not able to find out what exactly what the issue but we do know that there are extensive safety interlocks and we suspect that they did not signal that the gap was empty and that the gate could be fully lifted. We could see that another attempt was made - we think that the operating staff had to reset the process and with a sigh of relief all round we eventually were able to exit the lift.

Out we went . . .

The view from the boat just after leaving and before turning out onto the river is perhaps the most spectacular - we defy anyone not to be impressed.

The chemical works on the opposite bank are still in production - we had thought that it was closing and the land used for housing. One of the lift staff said that he understood that a new plant was planned to be constructed to the rear of the site and then the waterside developed - but the timescales seem a bit obscure. Houses with a full view of the lift will no doubt be popular.

In the deeper water we were now moving comparatively swiftly - well over 4 mph. A few minutes later we passed under Winnington, the first of several swing bridges over the river.

Another chemical works was still in place a little further down when we visited here before, although the last time is was just closed. The wharf where small ships were once loaded is evident but the site is now being converted to housing. As seems to be the received wisdom in waterside development, the work starts furthest away from the river and the actual waterside ones are built last. No doubt this helps with sales but it is surprising that the buyers of the first houses are that gullible.

After half an hour we arrived at Saltersford Locks - only the larger one is now operational. As a result we seem almost lost in a large hall!

The locks are fortunately mechanised and also staffed so all that we had to do was to hold onto ropes around bollards, letting them out as the boat dropped down some way.

We passed the rowing club facility for The Grange School, near Hartford, Northwich. This is a co-ed independent school with over 1200 pupils and seems to have done well in its more recent inspection in the Spring. The school started less than a century ago (young by comparison with most independent schools) initially as a Prep School but gradually adding facilities for all ages. It looks as if rowing is a major part of its sports activity.

The next bridge is Acton and it is possible to see the mechanism used to operate it - cables from an engine house are wrapped around the central pillar and thus drive it around. Alas, we do not need any of these bridges to open for us!

Shortly before Dutton Locks we passed the now very reduced remains of Chica. We have watched over many years as it has gradually disintegrated. At least is out of the way of  passing craft.

And so down through Dutton Locks - again only the one is now is use. This time we shared with another narrowboat. Both of us were looking for somewhere to stop for a lunch break - the lock keeper directed the first to the visitor mooring to the right and we were told to use a short mooring on the left. We presumed that this is technically a lock landing but that no-one was booked for a passage - as far as possible the keepers try to ensure that boats can drive straight into the locks without waiting on arrival.

Below the locks we passed under the huge Dutton Railway Viaduct that strides across the wide river valley.

The river is pleasantly rural - mostly quite isolated with very occasional signs of small developments (one a popular caravan park) After 25 minutes we arrived at Devil's Garden, a mooring spot with accompanying cattle! There is only room for a few boats - one was already here and the boater kindly came to help pull us into the to moor. One of the rare occasions this year that we have had to use pins.

After a very grey morning cruise, the afternoon, by contrast, was very pleasant - a lovely place to moor!

7.9 Miles - 2 Locks