Watt Knot Travels
There's no such thing as a sure thing on the cut. You just have to go with the flow. Plans really are fluid, dependent on the weather, circumstances & lock maintenance. When people ask "where will you be", it's hard to say.
We have enjoyed our first week of freedom, & moved on thru the Middlewich branch that was closed for the best part of last year onto a brand new canal, the Trent & Mersey. We moored a couple of days in Middlewich mainly because of storm Gareth. The wind gusts forecast at 40mph+ ( why isn't this country metric?). We didn't fancy ping ponging along the canal so took refuge & found the local supermarket to stock up on, just in case. In case of what? I don't know, we are always stocking up just in case.
The target this week was the Anderton Boat Lift. Amazing 1800's technology. The lift takes your boat in a caisson down 50ft to the River Weaver. Originally all done by counter balancing one boat up, one boat down. I think they just press a button now. Not to be for us this time, as the rain stopped play. The Weaver is flooded with a strong current. It's closed until further notice. Strike 1. We also checked the closures & realised the Cheshire Ring is out too. Marple Locks won't be re-opening until May. Strike 2.
We did have one victory this week in getting rid of the engine oil we
Karen Warren
44 chapters
15 Apr 2020
Week 34 - Plans Scuttled
Anderton
There's no such thing as a sure thing on the cut. You just have to go with the flow. Plans really are fluid, dependent on the weather, circumstances & lock maintenance. When people ask "where will you be", it's hard to say.
We have enjoyed our first week of freedom, & moved on thru the Middlewich branch that was closed for the best part of last year onto a brand new canal, the Trent & Mersey. We moored a couple of days in Middlewich mainly because of storm Gareth. The wind gusts forecast at 40mph+ ( why isn't this country metric?). We didn't fancy ping ponging along the canal so took refuge & found the local supermarket to stock up on, just in case. In case of what? I don't know, we are always stocking up just in case.
The target this week was the Anderton Boat Lift. Amazing 1800's technology. The lift takes your boat in a caisson down 50ft to the River Weaver. Originally all done by counter balancing one boat up, one boat down. I think they just press a button now. Not to be for us this time, as the rain stopped play. The Weaver is flooded with a strong current. It's closed until further notice. Strike 1. We also checked the closures & realised the Cheshire Ring is out too. Marple Locks won't be re-opening until May. Strike 2.
We did have one victory this week in getting rid of the engine oil we
stored since doing the oil change. Found a CRT recycle yard that was recycle heaven. The boat suddenly got lighter!
Sights/Activities
Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre
Pubs
Tollemache Arms
The Big Lock
Total Lock Count
178
NB Spotting
G & T Time Happy Ours
1.
Week 8 - Ready, Set, Go!
2.
Week 9 - Thar She Blows!
3.
Week 10 - SOS, Stuck in Lock 5
4.
Week 11 - Don't Look Down
5.
Week 12 - Blowin' in the Wind
6.
Week 13 - Abandoned Boat
7.
Week 14 - Dilemna
8.
Week 15 - A Night at the Museum
9.
Week 16 - Cow Whisperer
10.
Week 17 - In Lockdown
11.
Week 18 - Country Life
12.
Week 19 - We Made the News
13.
Week 20 - What a Star!
14.
Week 21 - Uninvited Guest
15.
Week 22 - Christmas Escape
16.
Week 23 - Otter Delight
17.
Week 24 - London Calling
18.
Week 25 - Mission Possible
19.
Week 26 - Cool Birthday
20.
Week 27 - That White Stuff
21.
Week 28 - Frozen
22.
Week 29 - DRS ABCD
23.
Week 30 - How did we get here?
24.
Week 31 - Captains Mate
25.
Week 32- We Have a Secret!
26.
Week 33 - Escape from Stalag 13
27.
Week 34 - Plans Scuttled
28.
Week 35 - About Face
29.
Week 36 - Picking Up Strangers
30.
Week 37 - Peak View
31.
Week 38 - Farewell to the Mac
32.
Week 39 - Pottering Around
33.
Week 40 - Murder on the Cut
34.
Week 41 - Screws Loose
35.
Week 42 - Sent to Coventry
36.
Week 43 - Mammoth Monday
37.
Week 44 - Crick Part 1 My Favourite Numpty
38.
Week 45 - Crick Part 2 Living the Dream with Ortomarine
39.
Week 46 - Stuck on You
40.
Week 47 - Stairway to Heaven
41.
Week 48 - Tudor Times
42.
Week 49 - The Avon Express
43.
Week 50 - I'm a Tradie
44.
Epilogue
Share your travel adventures like this!
Create your own travel blog in one step
Share with friends and family to follow your journey
Easy set up, no technical knowledge needed and unlimited storage!
