Thursday 14^th November 2019

Kenny has been unwell but, since finishing treatment, has been looking forward to going out, but never made the opportunity. So the two boats took off for a short cruise. We had never travelled in company with another boat but, with Kenny in front, it was much easier on blind bends with another boat in front to warn of anything approaching.

It was a cold day with a biting wind that made controlling the boat difficult, we got blown across the canal the moment we set off. Middlewich Narrowboats have been out of business now for over 2 years and it is such a shame to see the buildings still unused. Old buildings like these will go home very quickly without being used or maintained. Similarly, with the dry-dock which is looking very sad.

It was nice passing through Middlewich. But again, the wharf buildings are becoming more derelict. These buildings have been empty ever since we first moved into the town in 2000. While there have been many plans put forward for them over the years, none have come to fruition. Whoever owns them should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves, they should not be allowed to let them deteriorate so badly. Similarly, the town of Middlewich. These buildings are the face of the town boaters will see. Other than a few water points, there are no facilities for boats and the two combined, are hardly welcoming.

It is worth mentioning a short history of Middlewich and the benefits the canal brought to the town. Middlewich has been a salt producing town since before the Roman period. ‘Wich’ is an old English name referring to such and the ‘Middle’ refers to the town lying between Northwich and Nantwich. The Trent and Mersey Canal was completed in 1777, passing through the town, linking the Potteries with the ports of Liverpool and ultimately, Hull. The canal allowed the carriage of salt out of the town and coal in, bringing added prosperity. Originally, the canal was planned to have been a wide beam canal from the junction with the Bridgewater Canal at Preston Brook, to Middlewich, hence the ‘Big Lock’ which is a wide beam lock, the wide bridge holes and Croxton Aqueduct originally being to wide gauge, the supports for the original can still be seen in the river below, beside the present narrow trough.

Passing over the River Dane on Croxton Aqueduct, we saw the first evidence of the recent flooding. The river level was well up although it had, apparently, dropped significantly. The flow was extremely fast and all the surrounding fields still resembled lakes.

Beyond bridge 176, we reached Bramble Cutting, a very favourite spot, where we moored. One boat on the moorings was in the process of moving and so we had the place to ourselves.

Mooring at Bramble Cutting

In the evening, Kenny and Sue came onto the boat to be regaled with our tales since we had last seen them. It was good to be out with them.

Day Total: 5 lock; 2 miles; 0 Tunnels; 0 Swing Bridges; 0 Lift Bridges; 0 Boat Lift; Day’s running hours 2.3     

Overall Total: 816 locks; 1377 miles; 53 tunnels; 61 Swing Bridges; 17 Lift Bridges; 2 Boat Lifts; total engine running hours 888.0