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

March 16, 2019

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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

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