Heading South

We are just over a week into our journey southwards. We’re so hoping to explore some new stretches of water, as these last couple of years we’ve mainly been on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Mother’s Day we spent in one of our favourite mooring spots beside Moss Bridge, Lathom. There’s a little hazel thicket that the kids love to play in and make dens.

The 9 of us had a BBQ and Jason and the kids built some fairy houses.

We haven’t been in lock for more than 6 months. We love Dean Lock as the M6 is way above and the local railway line is close too.

I love operating Plank Lane lift bridge as it is traffic light controlled as it’s narrow. This means the drivers are used to stopping there & don’t hurl abuse at you for holding them up.

While we were filling up with water at Plank Lane a unicyclist filled his water-bottle from the tap.  We had a nice chat and held our breaths when he got on and wobbled a bit towards the canal before stabilising and cycling off down the towpath. He likes to cycle at least 40 miles a day!

 

Once again, we have been spoiled by spectacular sun rises.

There are miles and miles of banks filled with daffodils.

We once again went crossed Barton swing aqueduct, over the Manchester Ship Canal.

 

 

Last Monday we travelled through three tunnels that we’ve been through many times before. We managed to get to the two timed ones, without waiting for the allotted time, which was on the hour.

It is so nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Luckily, this air shaft wasn’t oozing gallons of water.

We are now spending a few days at a quiet spot on the Trent & Mersey Canal, near Northwich, just before Wincham Bend, to let the strong winds blow over.