This is the blog of Norwyn & Sheila aboard their narrowboat Shell Bell.
Leaving Anderton on another nice bright morning, we stopped at the services just past Anderton Marina to top up with water and dumped some rubbish. Although bright it was slightly cooler than yesterday but never the less it was dry. Cruising was pleasant with the aroma of the Rape seed heavy in the air and through the wooded areas the air was heavy with wild Garlic. We stopped for lunch in Middlewich. Straight after lunch we set about doing the four locks that would take us clear of Middlewich as we head south. Staying on the Trent and Mersey we went through four more locks and finished the day about 2 miles from Wheelock.
Total 15 miles 9 locks
Fields of Rape seed
Spot the Buzzard
What a glorious day warm sunshine all day we left Lymm a really nice place to moor and explore around 9am, our first stop would be the North Portal of Preston Brook tunnel. We had lunch and went through the tunnel at 13:30, at the south portal we left the Bridgewater canal and went onto the trent and mersey also we had our only lock of the day. Two more tunnels were navigated on our way to Anderton, which was our chosen overnight mooring. We found lovely moorings just past the Anderton lift and tied up around 16:00hrs. In the evening we took in a pleasant walk down by the river Weaver and back through the woods.
Today 18 miles 1 lock 3 tunnels
Back on the Trent Mersey
The perfect angler
We pulled the pins around 09:15 this morning and set off into a strong head wind but at least it was dry, Clive on board Lady Arwen waved and wished us well as we passed them on there moorings. After about 45 minutes we arrived at Plank Lane Lift bridge which used to be operated by a BW bridge keeper. Alas, not anymore. A new bridge has been built and the whole area opened out, rumour has it a new Marina is to go in the wide expanse of open water to the side of the bridge. One boat was already waiting when we arrived and the lady onboard informed us she had been waiting over two hours- the new bridge had broken down. Two guys from BW were on site and trying to sort the problem but to no avail. Then, as if by magic they informed us it was fixed by a guy on his laptop in an office miles away- the wonders of modern technology. Once open off we set against a really strong cross wind which caused us to crab across the open expanse but soon the shelter of the trees and banks allowed us to travel in a straight line. Next stop was Leigh for a Tesco top up. Mooring here was fun as well because the wind wanted us to moor the opposite side of the cut but the skipper of NB Ruby dashed from his moored boat and helped me pull Shell Bell in using the centre rope. What a day this was turning out to be. Shopping done we set off once more stopping at the excellent Bridgewater Marina to top up with diesel. This was going to be a long day, our destination was Lymm so, with the wind decreasing slightly we made our way through the outskirts of Manchester past the Trafford centre and on through Sale. Around 16:30 we had a shower of rain but it didn’t last to long and we moored in Lymm around 18:00.
Today 27 miles 1 lift bridge
The Trafford Centre
I know its been cold
The long straight Bridgewater canal outside Sale
It was nice and bright with light winds when we joined NB lady Arwen at the top of the Wigan Flight (21 locks). We made a good team with Clive and Mel from Lady Arwen and we cleared the last of the 21 locks in a little under four hours. Once clear we turned left and headed for the two locks that would take us onto the Bridgewater Canal . We were soon through those locks and made our way to Dover Bridge were we moored behind Lady Arwen. This evening we went to the pub with Clive and Mel and had an enjoyable couple of pints.
Today 8.5 miles 23 locks
the last of the 21 locks
Clive and Mel from NB Lady Arwen
We follow Ladt Arwen to the Bridgewater canal
The weather forecast was correct, gale force winds and rain. The decision taken yesterday to stay in Adlington was a good one. We only ventured off the boat to collect some groceries and a paper from the small Co-op, and some coal and kindling from the local garage. We have had the fire alight all day so it is really cosy and warm on the boat. Not many boats on the move today although I did feel sorry for the three hire boats that came past. I guess they had to be back at their base so couldn’t stop for the day. We have arranged with the crew of NB Lady Arwen to leave in the morning around 8am and head for the 21 locks that make up the Wigan flight.
A lazy start today as our plan was to get through the Johnson Hill locks and moor in Adlington ready for our run up to the 21 Wigan locks on Sunday. Well, we had a nice run up to the first lock in overcast chilly conditions. At the top lock we used the services for water, loo tank and rubbish. Also a chance meeting with the crew of N.B Lady Arwen who were heading for the Wigan locks. By this time we had heard the weather forecast for Sunday- heavy rain and strong winds!!!!!. After a discussion we all agreed to moor in Adlington, stay put on Sunday and attack the Wigan flight on Monday in what will hopefully be better weather conditions. So it will be a day of rest tomorrow.
Today 7 miles 7 locks
An early start today in grey murky and chilly conditions. Making good progress we soon arrived at the first of the three swing bridges we would pass through today. The weather was improving although not warm it was getting brighter and better than the forecast we watched last night. Around noon we arrived at the top lock in Blackburn and locked down the six locks with N.B. Midnight Lady, Skippered by a lady. By now the weather had improved even more and we had blue skies and the sun was shining, albeit weakly. Clearing the locks we carried on until we reached Riley Green and moored at the the pub. We had a nice meal at the pub and a couple of pints of Peroni to help it down.
Today 16 miles 6 locks 3 swing bridges
Primroses in a garden we passed today
Overnight the wind had subsided and the rain had stopped. So it was in quite pleasant conditions that we started on the seven Barrowford locks. We hadn’t been through the last lock long before the rain came but at least it wasn’t windy or as cold as yesterday. It was still raining when we pulled onto the moorings for the Morrisons supermarket at Nelson. We stayed on the moorings for lunch hoping that the rain would subside, but do pigs fly????? So once again we set off in the rain only stopping for diesel at Reedley Marina. Onward we went, through Burnley and we hadn’t seen anoher boat on the move all day until we arrived at Gannow tunnel where we had to hold station to allow a cruiser to exit and, as we were a third way through another narrowboat appeared but didnt wait. We did, however manage to pass in the tunnel without mis-hap. We are moored at Hapton and as I am typing this blog it is still raining with the prediction for more rain tomorrow.
Today 12 miles 7 locks 1 tunnel
that's some chimney stack
Yesterday we had a day of rest and stayed in Gargrave. It was a really nice day weather wise. We did some odd jobs on the boat then went off for a walk into the hills (part of the pennine way). We decided that we would head back the way we came rather than go down through Leeds and then the Rochdale Canal, So Norwyn Winded (turned the boat round) Shell Bell and re-moored. Today we set off and again it was raining and it wasn’t long before the wind really got up. We probably should have abandoned our trip and moored up but we carried on and it was rough, very rough. There were other boats on the move but not many. It was hard work doing the twelve locks we had to do today. Things went fairly smoothly but we did have one or two hairy moments. Our overnight mooring tonight is Barrowford top lock, but even mooring was a problem with the wind pushing Shell Bell to the opposite side of the canal. It must have taken us ten minutes to sort out and get the boat away from the bank to the other side of the cut and safely tied up. Our worst days boating by far. Pictures from our walk yesterday.
Today 13.5 12 locks 1 tunnel
great view from our walk yesterday
Norwyn doing his Bill Oddie impression
Hooray! No rain today but its was overcast when we set off this morning. This was how it was to be all morning. We soon arrived at the Foulridge tunnel where there is a traffic light signal in operation. The red light was showing red when we arrived so we moored up and waited about 15 minutes for the green light. The tunnel is around 1 mile in length and we were through in a little over a quarter of an hour. It is really scenic on this part of the canal with lots of sheep grazing nearby. It wasn’t long before we had negotiated the three Greenberfield locks. After stopping for lunch and with sun showing itself we went through the six locks at Bank Newton. The locks were coming thick and fast and after three more locks and we stopped in Gargrave for our overnight mooring.
Today 13.5 miles 12 locks 1 tunnel
waiting for the green light at Foulridge tunnel
great scenery even deer grazing in the distance
Water coming over the back lock gate !!!!!!
