Thursday 2nd
August 2018
We went into Frodsham first thing for their market day. Having walked
along the A56 road last night taking the dog for a walk, we didn’t judge it
safe to walk into town with the kids. It is a mile distant but the traffic is
heavy and bushes constantly overhang the pavement forcing you into the road.
The bus fare cost us £7.00, to travel one mile.
Frodsham is a lovely old place, lots of old buildings, many listed,
with plaques on them giving their histories. The market though, was nothing
special. We bought some pies, cheeses and bread. Brenda had her glasses fixed,
the screw had dropped out of the side frame. We have a repair kit on board
somewhere but, as yet, it hasn’t surfaced.
We had a burger bap brunch and then caught the bus back arriving at
the boat at 12 noon. The next uphill operation of the next lock at Dutton, 5
miles away, was at 2pm so we set off straight away. We wanted to get beyond
Saltersford Lock to moor at Barnton Cut today.
Both the kids were feeling tired today and so, on and off, they had a quieter
day. Eva especially as she had a dicky tummy.
We tried unsuccessfully to contact the lock-keeper at Dutton and on
arriving, at 1:45, we found a wide beam just entering the lock coming downhill.
Once he was clear we entered but then had to wait 20 minutes in case there were
any boats behind us. Eventually we went up the lock ourselves, feeling very
small and vulnerable. Apparently these big locks use 500,000 gallons of water
per operation, half a million gallons.
Dutton
Locks
We were told to proceed straight to the next lock at Saltersford but
that we could meet one of the dredging spoil barges coming towards us. Just
before Acton Bridge a woman on the towpath was frantically waving. She had lost
her dog somewhere in the reeds that grow all along the edges here. We could not
find the dog or any signs of it. Poor woman and poor dog. Just hope there was a
good outcome. Then just after Acton Bridge there was a guy and his grandson
whose radio-controlled boat had broken down and was drifting in the centre of
the river. We were able to manoeuvre and rescue the boat, but would rather have
found the dog.
When we reached Saltersford Lock one of the barges and tug was just
entering, going downhill. Once he was clear we entered the lock and again, were
the sole occupants. It seems as though everybody who works on the rivers or
canals, like to make a fuss of the kids. Even the tug skipper was tooting his
horn and waving to them.
One
of the dredging barges
and
tugs leaving Saltersford Locks.
It
was one of these that Manny
steered
pass on the run
down the river.
After leaving the lock we were hoping for a mooring at Barnton Cut. There
was one right at the end but we would have been overhanging the mooring
themselves, so we carried on another ½ mile where there is another mooring, not
as good, and only for two boats. However, we turned out to be the only boat
there and we had a really good evening. A barbeque, the first with the kids,
fishing and then Manny did some pinging with the air rifle scoring one wine bag
and four beer cans.
Fishing score: Manny 1; Grandad 1; Eva kept Nanny company.
Day Total: 2 locks; 8 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Boat Lift; engine running
hours 3.3
Overall Total: 107 locks; 257 miles; 8 tunnels; 1 Boat Lift; engine running
hours 139.3
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