Saturday 7th July 2018



After a cooked breakfast, Ethan left us and we then investigated the water in the engine room. I had not reassembled the weed hatch properly the day before when the propeller was cleared. The weed hatch gives access to the propeller from inside the boat to clear anything fouling the prop. It is important to assemble it correctly otherwise water thrown up by the propeller will enter the engine room. A lesson learnt to check the seal whenever the hatch is opened. And quite frankly I should have known better.

We then went for a walk to see the Manchester Ship Canal and the Moore Lane Swing Bridge. When I was young I lived beside the Shropshire Union Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal in Ellesmere Port. The Ship Canal in those days was very busy with a constant passing of ships of 20,000 tons going to and from Manchester Docks and places in between, and tankers going to Stanlow Oil Refinery.

The Ship Canal was opened in 1894, is 36 miles long and links Manchester with the sea. It was built largely by Manchester Cotton Traders seeking to bypass Liverpool Docks and the high tolls charged. Changes in shipping with the advent of containerisation and larger ships led to the decline of the canal in the 1970’s and 80’swith the closure of the docks at Salford.



                        



The canal was certainly very quiet and peaceful and the swing bridge was looking uncared for and had been colonised by pigeons. Googling “Marine Traffic” we found just two small coasters upstream from us.

We had an ice cream from the village store on our way back to the boat.

Retracing our steps back towards Orchard Marina and the repairs by Sandra we called at Midland Chandlers in Preston Brook for some more bits and pieces. Again, we passed through Preston Brook Tunnel bringing us once again, onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. We had to wait a whie to enter Saltersford Tunnel which was bit frustrating. The England – Sweden World Cup Quarter Final was on at 3pmand I wanted to be in the Stanley Arms in Anderton to watch it.

Entering Barnton Tunnel, I completely misjudged the entry angle and proper twated the boat against the tunnel side. There was a lot of clattering inside and crystal sliding off different surfaces. The only casualty was a decapitated glass dog figure so I got off very lightly. A sickening feeling none the less.  

Brenda rang Sandra only to find she cannot do our repairs until at least Thursday. We are feeling like a pair of trapped rats and as though we will never get going.

On the run into Anderton we saw a water shrew cross the canal in front of us and then struggle to climb out on the stone edges.

We got a lovely mooring in Anderton beside the boat lift. We were very lucky. I reached the pub half way through the first half but went on to watch England win 2-0.

After the match we returned to the boat and celebrated the sale of St. Annes Road with champagne and a steak dinner. 








Day Total: 1 locks; 9 miles; 3 Tunnels; engine running hours 4.1

Overall Total: 99 locks; 165 miles; 8 tunnels; engine running hours 97.2


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