Covering Old Ground with a Twist

Sunday 2^nd June to Monday 3^rd June 2013

It was all smooth cruising and with the weather bright and sunny, it was perfect.

To think that this was the fourth time already this year that we had covered this canal – in fact the fourth time in just 2 months.

We did not have any locks to contend with on the Bridgewater and the only stop that we had planned would be at Bridgewater Marina for diesel and the obligatory pumpout – it was needed.

We have been to this marina on three separate occasions now and each and every time Peter, the guy who runs the place (and as we found out – owns the marina), has been so very accommodating. Very nice place and so very friendly – please stop here for whatever you need when you are passing.

I caught up with Peter and his wife on Duchess and their dog Scamp – the time before last when we were here, we had a problem with our heater and Peter was able to help us out with some fuses.

Approaching the swing aqueduct I suddenly noticed that the bridge had swung around and we could proceed no further – Paul (nb Caxton) had described the sight best of this colossus of a bridge that moves – the sheer weight of water in the trough was immense.

So we moored up on the left side behind a cruiser and we watched and waited and waited – eventually a dredger approached, went through and disappeared – no movement on the bridge. In that time the road bridge had swung open and then closed – normal services had resumed.

thar' she goes - you can just see the superstructure behind the bridge

first through after the bridge reopened

Then the road bridge opened again another smaller ship sailed through. Job done, the road bridge closed and traffic flowed again; then the slower process of closing the aqueduct – it was a sight to see. Check that off the list of things achieved.

On our way again, but only as far as the Trafford Centre where we moored up and headed to ASDA for the list of things that were apparently needed – and then there was also the list of things that suddenly jumped out at us as we strolled along each of the aisles.

I was consigned to returning the purchases back to the boat – 3 bags full (sounds like a nursery rhyme) and the backpack.

Diane on the other hand decided to have a traipse around the rest of the complex – whilst I did some work back on board.

We had read on another blog that someone had overnighted here without any problems and it looked peaceful enough; and no housing around so we gave it a try – it was so so quiet indeed and no trouble whatsoever.

We woke to another resplendent day – the sun was out in full today and we headed off again fairly early – this time I was in the boat working to the full – it was again just cruising and Diane was in full control with her trusty side-kick Banjo (what use he would have been I do not know).

When I did appear out of the hatch to make sure it was all going well it was for an order of coffee or to take the dog for a walk – so better that I went back inside.

Our intention was to make for Dunham Town – actually the Little Bollington Aqueduct – and to have a look at Dunham Massey (the National Trust property).

We moored up mid-morning and made our way to the property, arriving just before opening time.

We found these two moored up here as well

Our National Trust cards are starting to pay for themselves – free entry.

We took a short introductory tour through the property and after that it was free range throughout the gardens and of course back through the house.

It never ceases to amaze me the extent of the accumulation of wealth into the hands of so few people in the past – not quite as bad today, but bad enough.

Diane had had a terrific idea earlier in the day and we enacted it upon return from Dunham Massey – so we cruised to Lymm and moored up there – just a few miles further but we really do like it here and gave us a chance to reacquaint ourselves with this very lovely town (too big to be a village) and so we did.

22 miles

Totals: 1791 Miles, 1331 Locks, 56 Tunnels, 29 Lift Bridges, 139 Swing Bridges