Vale Royal

Dry start to the day and would have made an earlier departure but for getting into conversation with crew of nb Amy and generally enjoying the ambience of Devils Elbow.  However we were eventually interrupted by another narrow boat trying to moor up.  nb Amy departed downstream whilst we departed upstream closely followed by two of the three broadbeam boats we saw yesterday (Maggie D and Moonshine) and were moored further up the bend from us. We then led a strung out procession up the Weaver to Dutton Lock where we waited for another boat to descend.

Onwards to Saltersford Lock where we took advantage of the lock keepers lunch break to water up.  Once through Saltersford we carried on past the lift and through Northwich to Hunts lock by which time it was raining. At Hunts lock we caught up with nb Barney from Chirk on the Llangollen canal.  The three of us just fitted abreast in the smaller of the two locks (this being the only Weaver lock currently still able to use the small lock instead of the larger ship lock).

As we then progressed towards Vale Royal the heavens opened and tipped water all over us, we weren't sure if there wasn't more water falling than we were sailing on!  At last through the railway viaduct arches we spotted the mooring pontoon and breasted up to wait fo r 3:15 as instructed.

After locking we moored on the visitor moorings about a quarter mile upstream where the lock cut leaves the river.  We ignored the yellow BW notices telling us they were closed having established with the workmen that they would not be digging where we were moored until the following afternoon.  Cheshire CC are busy destroying the grassy Weaver towpath that has been used by boaters, walkers and fishermen for over a hundred years.  All in the name of progress and to ensure that the cyclists can hurtle along at breakneck speed without dismounting of course.  Not that they would ever notice their surroundings anyway!