From terry@talwaldron.freeserve.co.uk Fri Apr 30 22:44:34 1999 Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 19:35:53 -0000 From: Terry Waldron Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: mailing list Subject: Trip Report Christmas 98 New Year 99 part 3 [The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] Crew: Sue, Terry and Clyde (King Charles Cavalier) plus visitors David and Brenda Boat: nb Stella 1 Jan 1999 The New year is with us and last nights festivities have not dulled our brains, we are ready for cruising at 0930 after a hearty breakfast. Sun to start the morning but turning to cloud. Handed steering over to David for the day, he was apprehensive at going through Saltersford and Barnton Tunnels but he got through no problem, a few less revs than when I go through but he kept the boat virtually in the middle of the tunnel. Stopped at Anderton for David and Brenda to go for a walk down to the lift, both had knowledge of its history but never had the opportunity to visit. I would have liked to visit the Museum but was unsure if it would be open, never mind theres more chance later in the year to do that. Quite a few boats moored, looked like a boat club all with the same pennants. We took the opportunity to top up with water again while we were stopped and pulled out to allow Sundance in to moor. After starting off Sue and Brenda wanted some fresh air so David and I set to putting up the framed WW pictures we had brought with us, I had tried this earlier in the week but was having difficulty in getting the screws into the tongue and groove that had had many coats of varnish, now I had a drill it made the job much easier. Stopped at Broken Cross for lunch and again at Lion Salt Works, Sue had spotted a sheep in difficulties and wanted to go for a walk to warn the farmer. As David is interested in Aircraft we were aircraft spotting (and listening to his radio) many to the south east of us but could not understand where they were coming from as nearest airport manchester and that in the opposite direction. Weather getting worse as the afternoon set in, finally moored just after Big Lock. Nice and quiet but relatively close to the shops. 13 Miles 1 Lock 2 Tunnels 2 January A bright morning with a little wind coming from ahead, this was to our advantage when turning the boat at 'The Moorings' , I instructed David in what he needed to do to turn the boat and he did extremely well (aided by the wind). A good run back to Saltersford with a mixture of sun, light wind, light rain all day. One kingfisher seen just after br179 and another just after br181. Stopped at Anderton for Sue to go and get a paper. Finally moored not far from north end of Saltersford Tunnel but far enough away not to be disturbed by the dogs. Very windy and heavy rain at night. 12 Miles 1 Lock 2 Tunnels. 3 Jan Away at 0930 heading for Acton Bridge, grey overcast sky with the sun promising to break through. David and Brenda had packed ready to leave for home, stopped Acton Bridge and gave David and Brenda a hand to get their luggage to the car. Took water and pumped out whilst we were there. Set off heading North, at Preston Brook Tunnel at 1215, no signs of any boats in the tunnel but waited until 1255, still no boats in sight either with the naked eye or with binoculars so decided to enter the tunnel and 'pinch' 5 minutes. After the motorway the outskirts of Runcorn dominate the scene, two railway viaducts ahead and the tower of the research establishment in the distance. Two motocross motorbikes racing round the waterlogged fields between the canal and the railway, looked good sport for them. Beautiful sunshine by the time we got to the research establishment, no boats around today. By 1500 the sky was clouding over and rain is coming our way, finally moored at Thelwell in the woods, nice and quiet despite many dog walkers passing. A very wet and windy night. 12 Miles 1 lock Part 4 to follow