SUNDAY. At Marsh Lock, River Weaver
The 2008 trip thus far: 300 Locks; 496 Miles; 56 Swing\Lift Bridges. Bus pass journeys 20
I went up to see Chris to return the reprint of an early OS map of Warrington and Northwich which he had lent to me. It showed the oxbow course of the Weaver that gave Island Farm its name before the creation of Dutton locks and weir. It also showed the pre 1923 grouping ownership of the railway lines. For me, it was very interesting. Chatting to him for a while, then after the narrow beam Dutch barge he had penned down was a good way down river, we left the moorings and headed for Marsh lock.
The sun was breaking up the remnants of the haze and the air was becoming very hot. There were few ducks around, a cormorant and some swans as we approached Devils garden. On the east side of the river above Blackamoor wood, we saw a buzzard, then another and another! Eventually, there were five of them just soaring around and by the height of them seemed to be playing. What a beautiful sight they made. The Runcorn rowing club were out in force; unusually for oarsmen and oarswomen, they nearly all smiled and the coxes waved, it made such a pleasant change.
It was a lovely sunset, and taking full advantage of the digital system, I took lots of pictures whilst just sitting and appreciating the views. Cabin temperature at midnight was 25 degrees, down from today’s high of 32 degrees.
Weather very hot, lots of sunshine, slight breeze.
