Intriguing Northwich building

We jumped up excidely this morning, having decided that we would be really awful and have breakfast at McDonalds! So, into Northwich, passing the building above on the way. A lot of the buildings in Northwich have been rebuilt in the original style or moved following subsidence caused by extensive salt mining in the area. After breakfast, Angela explored the charity shops while I went in search of bungee straps!

 The River Weaver

Having dragged our purchases back to Banjo, we set of to wait our return trip on the Anderton lift. We arrived on time and were immediately called into the lift.

 A dove taking a free ride

Whilst ascending, we spotted this dove sitting on the underside of the descending caisson - apparantly unfazed by the movement!

 Boats in the other caisson

We had entered the lift on the side which enabled us to look down on the other boats as they went down, and we up. A truly memorable experience and great fun.

 View from the top of the lift

 Leaving the lift for the last time

 It's not all beautiful

We exited the lift and headed south on the Trent and Mersey canal, in the direction of Middlewich. The stretch of canal around the northeast of Northwich has some dreary bits, including passage through the middle of this huge ICI plant.

 A boat which strayed from the right channel

Along this stretch of canal there are lagoons - bits of submerged land adjoining the canal which look inviting but which must not be entered. Steering the correct course requires a bit of guesswork since the edge on the channel is not marked. The boat above appears to have strayed of course, possibly lured there by sirens?

 A cute crow

We spotted this crow in the middle of one of the lagoons. Picture for Clare - sorry we could't find a pony!

 The canal narrows

Parts of the canal are really wide, but in other places it is really narrow, parts with beds of reeds. We had many meetings with other boats which required on or other boat to stop to let the other through.

 Checking out possible mooring

We initially found this lovely spot called Bramble Corner where we initially moored. However, we could not get a TV signal here because of the trees and we wanted to watch a couple of things on TV tonight.

Tonight's rural mooring

So, we moved a few yards down the canal onto the other side and next to a couple from New Zealand. These guys had a house and a flat in Christchurch and both properties have been destroyed or condemed on the February earthquake. Still, they are both fine and are now trying to decide where to make their new home. It's lovely and quiet here, which makes a change from the past few days where we have been in towns or near motorways.