Although there were some clouds around, today has been generally sunny and much warmer than of late.
We set off in good time as our estimated time of arrival into Middlewich was around 4 pm. With the sun in a more helpful direction, Mike managed a slightly better picture of the structure of Chellshill Aqueduct - still could be improved!
These dead and alive trees look quite striking against the blue sky.
Within about twenty minutes we reached the first of our locks for today - 16 in all until we reach Middlewich. Alas, all but a couple were against us as we were following at least one other boat downhill, with only a few coming the other way to set locks for us.
Lock 57 used to have a tea room and chandlery business but all trace of that seems to have disappeared, except for the large number sign.
Here's the motorway that we were trying to avoid mooring too close to last night.
Most of the bridges across the canal were built to a standard design - only where modern traffic is too great have they been replaced. Many, like this one, stand quite isolated as they were only intended to allow landowners to access either side and today may not even be accessible from the towpath.
Lock 60 is one of at least three of the Cheshire Locks that have a width restriction - the yellow sign indicates that it should not be used by boats over 6ft 10in wide. Fortunately most present day boats meet this gauge but we avoided all of them, just in case!
Lock 63 last year had one of the pair out of action awaiting repair but it is the other side that has recently had new bottom gates. Alas the paddle mechanisms seem to have missed out on the painting schedule, nor was there any sign at all of grease being applied since they were installed. This makes them quite hard to operate.
This bridge, at Malkin's Bank, once carried the Sandbach Branch of the North Staffordshire Railway. At one time, Malkin's Bank had two or three large salt works between the railway and the canal. We could see no sign of this former activity with Malkin's Golf Course where the factories once stood.
Above Lock 63 is a short arm, now used as a boat mooring, but looks from the old maps as if it ran straight into one of the salt works.
The terrace housing either side of the lock looks from the 1882 map as if it was for the workers at the various works.
It was with some relief that we passed through Lock 66, the last of the Cheshire Locks, not known as Heartbreak Hill for nothing! However, on the lock which we used, restrainers have been fitted to the bottom gate paddles pawls, despite the fact that these have been withdrawn following boater outcry. These paddles were very stiff and, having to hold the pawl off with lone hand, made it unusually difficult even to wind the paddle down, it was so reluctant. Please will someone remove the unwanted piece of metal!
Shortly afterwards we stopped at Wheelock Wharf to use the services. At the same time, Christine popped to the village shop for a newspaper.
A longish pound followed which gave us the chance to have our lunch 'on the run'.
Just after passing under the Rookery Bridge mainline railway bridge there are some remains that have long been a mystery to us. It looks both as if there was some sort of loading wharf as well as a further railway bridge. The old maps indicate that alongside the canal once stood a Bone Works and that these structures were related to it, perhaps as sidings although nothing indicates a further line actually crossing the canal. However, between 1910 and 1932 another salt works developed on the other side of the canal. There was also a Methodist Chapel which seems to have disappeared under modern factory units.
Just below Lock 67 there was a sunken boat. Judging by the tide matk around the hull it has been there for a little while. Sad nevertheless.
For about two miles south of Middlewich, the busy A533 runs very close to the canal. This bus shelter seems to have suffered some rather catastrophic event.
One salt works remains active in the area south of the town - it is possible to see a huge mountain of white powder waiting to be processed into bags and loaded onto pallets.
Soon after we descended Rumps Lock, the last of today and then a short distance to the moorings above Kings Lock where we expect a visit from an engineer in the morning.
9.0 Miles - 16 Locks
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