Timing is everything as we cruise the Bridgewater Canal
Dutton Hall to Thelwall, T&M and Bridgewater Canals, 10 miles 1 lock
The timing was perfect this morning. We were about a mile and half away from the southern portal of Preston Brook Tunnel..
Arriving here at exactly 11am.. we can only go through between on the hour and ten past. Just before this is Dutton Stop lock with a rise of just a couple of inches if that. Now we will have a lazy time, because we are in the longest ‘pound’ (a stretch of water between two locks) in the UK. It will be almost 40 miles until we see another lock!
After the tunnel and joining the Bridgewater Canal we called in Claymore’s Hire boat base for all the services today.. with both water and diesel tanks full, rubbish and loo tanks empty and a quick stop at Midland Chandlers for a new chimney inner, we veered right, the left branch to Runcorn looked inviting..
The best day of the year for us, the wind now round in the South and the sun on our backs as we travelled north made things that much better.
It has been a long time since I had been on the Bridgewater Canal, it is now so very well kept unlike when I visited last time all those years ago. Towpaths are without mud, hedgerows tidy and the suburban housing well cared for. For sure they have not turned their backs on this canal.
Lucy and Meg have enjoyed the towpath, taking no notice of a dog lying outside Thorne Marine at London Road Bridge in Stockton Heath. A handy water point here by the way.
This used to be the end of the Bridgewater Canal in the late 1770’s and here there were wharfs and stables as well as warehouses and canal companies. It would be later that the Duke of Bridgewater would complete his canal to Manchester.
After clearing the build up areas we found an ideal mooring, a little bit of open countryside at Thelwall not far from Lynn..
I really, really enjoyed today, gosh it has been a long awkward winter this year.. I think one of the most enjoyable things was first thing this morning when I walked Lucy and Meg before we set off.. a swarm of mossies attacked me on the towpath!! Hey, spring is really here! 
Sue
Updated 23rd January 2012
March 20th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Hi Sue
Been following your cruising for some time.
Silkwood is moving up to Acton bridge for a couple years.
We are out on Silkwood during April hoping to do Acton to Chester as we have crew with us.
Think we’ll have a go at the Bridgewater at Christmas when we will next be out on our own. Look forward to continued reading of your blog.
Dave & Chris NB Silkwood
March 20th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Well you have picked two nice routes.. we were in Chester last year, and it is really nice and very different. You will enjoy the Bridgewater for sure.
March 20th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Hi Sue – yes spring is very definitely here thank goodness winter now seems behind us and we can hopefully look forward to a good summer and good cruising. best wishes
March 20th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Phew, yes Carol, I think everyone is just so pleased not to be iced in!
March 20th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Hi Sue,
Jaqueline, USA
This is a lovely post. I can feel the sun and wind at my back! You do a wonderful job of conveying your joy in traveling the canals. Thank you!
March 20th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
It’s only what I feel put into a few words.. thankyou for your comment, it makes writing this blog so worthwhile when I read comments like that
March 20th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Does the boat do open days
March 20th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Ha, I guess you want to take a look and maybe have a go at it yourself? We must be getting close to you?!
March 20th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
The rubbish is a sure sign isn’t it.
I do miss that little Map Of Where You Are.
March 20th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
I’ll do a map when we move to the new place then you can see how close we are getting
March 20th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
There’s a great little farm shop behind the Axe and Cleaver pub in Dunham Massey. You’ll be able to get all the veg you need there, along with lovely local meat. Well worth a visit.
March 20th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Thanks for that Adam, I shall take a look in the morning
March 20th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Aaah, we’ve walked there many times, one of our favorite canals, we had often wondered what the bits on the sides of the canal were, thought they were just decorative(!) Goodto find out their use! Thanks
March 20th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Kate, Well they are very decorative I must say, I love the little cranes.. hope they don’t get too rusted up!
March 20th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Sue and Vic – you MUST visit Dunham Massey. It is a really lovely NT property. We too loved the Bridgewater Canal and were impressed by the up-keep and the Womble boat.
March 20th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
We walked through the grounds today and met a lot of dear.. I am sure the house is beautiful inside, but we will leave that to the purists who enjoy the past.