SATURDAY. At Dutton lock moorings, River Weaver
The 2008 trip thus far: 300 Locks; 489 Miles; 56 Swing\Lift Bridges. Bus pass journeys 20
We had breakfast outside this morning, I should have captured the event with a digital image as this is only the second time in 14 weeks. We chatted to the crew of a plastic boat as we waited for the lock at 10am. We were joined by the steeerer of the only other narrowboat on the moorings. He was born on a boat at Weston point docks and was christened in the church there which is now boarded up.
These three boats were in the lock and as Bryn started to close the gates, 5 more boats arrived, from Acton bridge boat club. We locked up and discovered that they were bound for Vale Royal lock, where they would go to the moorings above and have a barbeque. At the moment of that discovery, I decided not to moor above Vale Royal lock tonight.
We arrived at Northwich to find one of the boat club plastic boats at the far end of the moorings with space for two narrowboats behind. We took one, mooring near the plastic boat. The steerer got off his boat and walked towards me. I though (silly me!)that he was going to help us moor up. No, he walked straight past and barely managed a smile. He stood at the back of our boat and indicated to the approaching club narrowboat to moor behind us; yes, he helped him to moor!
We did the shopping and went to the market cafe for a meal; it was cheap, cheerful and not bad. Returning to our boat, the boat club boats had all gone. Another boater returning loaded with shopping said the've all gone, good riddance. He told me that they arrived most Saturdays, took up all the moorings, seldom breasted up and never gave a thought for anyone else. Where have we heard that before.........
We set off for Saltersford lock, and were soon overtaken by the cheerful soul on the boat club plastic boat. Waiting in the lock, Bryn told us that Vale Royal lock was closed until further notice owing to a paddle problem. That put paid to the location for the barbeque. Happy Harry then left his boat and wandered up to impress us with the fact that he was a committee member of the club (it didn't) and to overwhelm us with his boating expertise (he didn't). He did, however, confim my initial appraisal of him at Northwich.
Arriving at Dutton lock, we saw the relief lockie, Chris who we had met last year.
He remembered us and after mooring at the bottom of the lock, we went up for a chat.
He is a very interesting man, having a Foreign going Masters ticket and in common with Dutton lockie Fred, a strong interest in local history.
To return to Weston Point docks, Runcorn, they were recently sold off by BW ( the towpath telegraph stated for £10,900,000) so the days of the church are probably numbered. An interesting thought. From the date of the sale, the only way from the Weaver onto the Manchester ship canal will be through Marsh lock, which to borrow from G&S, 'has the remains of a fine lock about it'. Semi derelict would be the charitable description of its present state. How long before it suffers the same fate at Vale Royal lock?
Weather- bright sunshine, very hot, moderate breeze.
