NB Triskaideka: Wheelock to Dunham. We hit the Bridgewater.

After the weekend sojourn in Wheelock, whilst Ali visited family for her nephew Graham's 30th, we were ready for the off on Monday. The weather was not! It was cold, windy and wet. So we visited Sandbach once again, then settled in waiting for the storms to abate.

Sandbach

Tuesday, we were getting stir crazy, but the weather remained foul. It was forecast to improve in the afternoon, so after lunch we pulled the pins. After watering up, within what seemed like minutes, the clouds opened with a deluge of hailstone. As you can imagine, it was not warm.

We persevered, as we were only making for Middlewich.

For the miles before we reached the first lock, we saw ner a boat moving. The weather was truly awful.

Upon arrival at the first lock, Crows nest, we found it against us, but with nobody in sight, Ali filled it and we began the descent. At this point a boat hove into view and an agitated lady disembarked. She was not apparently a happy bunny. When she approached Ali, she told her that we had 'wasted' a lock which was in her favour! Ali tried to explain that their boat was not in view, that we were already descending upon their approach, but all to no avail. Transpires a single hander was ahead of us, and all the locks thus far had been in their favour and thus, so should this one have been!!!

So to the lady, please accept our apologies, perhaps Black Prince will compensate you for your distress......

Anyway, we dropped down the remaining locks, moored near the park and warmed up. Then popped into town for a drink and a meal.

Wednesday saw some improvement weather wise, no rain, but warm and still breezy. After big lock was descended, we had miles lock free ahead, so could afford to chug along. We had read an article in Waterways World about the Lion Salt Works, stating hat it opened that day after much renovation. The article stated it had a shop, cafe and outside play area for me! So we rolled up at lunch time, looking forward to a slice of cake. When we walked into the reception, it did feel a little, not ready, but staff were on, so we approached them, they explained that the official opening was not until early June! but a staff member would be very happy to give us an escorted tour, gratis. This we did, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Well worth stopping when it is fully open.

After that, we continued on to Anderton and called it a day.

Today (Thursday) dawned much brighter than of late and promised to remain good. It was to be our 'tunnel day' with three to tackle in quick succession. The canal here is above the Weaver valley and offers some beautiful views. Barnton tunnel was soon behind us, but we arrived at Saltersford a little early for the passage, which north bound is on the hour. Soon there were three boats and we patiently waited having a chat. As the hour approached, a boat appeared, sailed past us and into the tunnel! How rude, we would not mind but he was so slow, he knew my feelings on his action, so between the exit and Preston Brook tunnel, he went like a bat out of hell, we poodles on admiring the scenery and as we approached the stop lock prior to the south portal, who should we spy waiting for the again on the hour north passage? Correct ....

Even leaving it for five minutes after he set off, half way through, we caught up with him and spent the rest of the passage on tickover.

By Preston Brook, it really had warmed up, well I thought so but Ali did not agree that warm was an apt description! The improvement spurred us onto past Moore and make for Lymm. This proved to be a mistake, as upon arrival, all the moorings were reserved from 18:00 for a boat festival, from Brookfield bridge to Lloyd bridge nearly a mile!

So we carried on and are now moored at Dunham.

Good to be back on deep wide waters of the Bridgewater once again. Local custom appears to travel everywhere with your pram hood up, come rain or shine. Tomorrow's forecast if correct, may see us following suit, or staying put and walking around the grounds and gardens of Dunham Massey Hall.

Fabulous reflections tonight