Home stretch

Today was the final race for the line, after eight days and more than 100 miles. In fact it wasn’t really a race, more of a stroll, as this was the easiest day of the journey, with only one lock (and that one having a drop of about 4 inches). We were back in familiar waters too – we have sailed these stretches on most of the hire boat holidays we have taken in the past.

Morning on the Flashes

Safe from the puppy

After leaving the flashes we pottered through the countryside, past a couple of new marinas which has been built in the last couple of years. One of the nicest odours on the canal came next as we reached Roberts Bakery, and then Rudheath and the Old Broken Cross pub, a landmark on the network.

Lostock Works

Just beyond that we sailed right through the Lostock Soda Ash plant, now owned by Tata Chemicals, but part of ICI when I started work in Northwich. Wincham Wharf has a lot of boatbuilding facilities, but under a bridge and you are suddenly winding through the countryside. The Lion Salt Works at Marston is being restored, with a Real Ale festival under way as we passed, and then you pass through Marbury Country Park. Anderton is next, and as we approached a boat unexpectedly popped out of the boat lift, which is clearly back in operation.

Although there are no locks, the top end of the Trent and Mersey is dominated by tunnels. First is Barnton, where you have to creep up to the tunnel mouth until you can see if anyone is coming through. If they are – as was the case for us today – you hurriedly pull yourself over to the side out of the way until the boat pops out, then you go back and have another look.

Passing through this tunnel, which is about 500m long, you emerge into a strange pool before the next tunnel, with trees on one side, and grassy slopes leading up the houses in Barnton on the other. It feels very isolated, with just a few boats moored there, and the waiting points for the tunnels.

Saltersford tunnel is a little shorter, but you cannot see right through so it is controlled on a time basis. Northbound you can only enter between the hour and twenty past. Southbound it is half past to ten to the hour. This means there is a minimum ten minute buffer, which is enough for a boat to clear the tunnel comfortably.

After we had done the tunnel Loulie got off with the dogs for a walk, then we carried on to Dutton and the Preston Brook tunnel. The stop lock is nearly redundant – this year the water levels in the two canals are so close that you can open the gates without operating the sluices. This tunnel is much the longest of the three at nearly 1200m, and it also uses a timed operating system, though this time the window is only ten minutes after the hour or half hour, so there is a twenty minute buffer. Despite its length it is quite possible to see all the way through the tunnel.

Preston Brook Tunnel

Rather than turning up the Runcorn branch to the marina straight away we went up the main line, winded (turned) at Moore then came back to Keckwick Lane, where I dropped off Loulie and the dogs. This is only half a mile from our house, so Loulie could take the car to the marina ready to meet me there and take the luggage home.

Loulie steering

I entered the marina gingerly, and found our pier with Loulie’s help. I had to turn round then manoeuvre carefully in past other moored craft – and then we decided we were on the wrong side of the pier for our nominated berth, so I had to back her out and go in again on the other side. All of this was further hampered by a stiff breeze – Eileen is rather high-sided and the wind affects her significantly – and in the end I was quite happy with my first attempt at marina parking.

Home at last

We packed everything into the car, and it was off home for fish and chips. It has been a great week – although it was forced upon us by the Middlewich breach, I am really glad we had this first shake-down cruise. We have learned a lot about the boat and how to get the best out of her, and we have been getting better at it all week. We have some ideas about changes we will get done over the winter, but we will be spending a lot of time on board before then.

Today: 8.5 hours. 15.9 miles. 1 lock.

Voyage: 68 hours. 116.8 miles. 97 locks.