CHANCE MEETING, OLD FRIENDS AND NEW.

 

A Narrowboat post box topper, how sweet

The Big Lock is just that, big, well compared to the single locks we have been doing. As we set of I walked down and was very happy to see another boat waiting, 2 boats in the lock going down and one waiting to come up. So there were plenty of people to help. I chatted to the crew off NB Mr Moonlight, it turned out they moored on the Erewash and came from Ilkeston. When I got a good look at the boat I remember seeing it on its moorings when we have cruised the Erewash.

The weather was definitely improving, and it was nice cruising in the sun without the cold wind that has been with us for the last few weeks.

The Captain spotted some great moorings between 2 boats, and I instantly recognised the first one NB The Rum Wench, Heidi Manning’s boat, we have met Heidi a few times over the years. She trades as The Pirate Boat. She also has a vlog that the Captain watches.

https://thepirateboat.co.uk/

Heidi, Bonny and me

As we moored Heidi appeared with her dog Bonny and the couple off the other boat. Of course we had to have a chat, Dan and Sara are roving traders too, and sell handcrafted wood & leather goods.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560379432761

We had settled down for the afternoon when Heidi came calling again, she had heard that Oakwood marina, which we had just passed, had a pizza and pint night that night, and would we like to go. Never to pass up a pint or a pizza we said yes.

https://www.oakwoodmarina.co.uk/

Dan and Sara joined us too, we had a great night, the pizza was really tasty and the Captain didn’t even mind having to drink lager for the night. The bar was quirky and housed in an old boat. We swapped stories and just had a wonderful time, I was very sorry when we had to wend our way back to the boats. Hopefully we will see them all again at some point.

Off to Anderton and we had hoped to moor before the lift, but it was not to be, and we had to make do with mooring just beyond it, this meant the Captain would have to reverse past 2 boats next day to access the lift. Not a problem for him at all.

Mid afternoon we took a walk just in time to see Heidi pulling in so we went to help. She was mooring in front of another boat I know, Barge Inn Booze, and as the name suggests this is a floating bar which sells a variety of beers and spirits including a range of Titanic brewery bottled real ales. Which makes sense as the boat is usually to be found around Stoke, the home of the Titanic Brewery. The owner of Barged Inn very helpfully pulled back slightly to allow Heidi to moor. Her plan was to trade next day and the day after, Sunday.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/137056690271893/?locale=en_GB

As we chatted a hire boat turned up with a stag party on board, the music was loud and the beer flowing. They were booked on the lift but were about 15mins late (the lift operator had already been to look for them), we helped them pull in and told them they would need to see the operator before going under the bridge. Surprisingly they were allowed in the lift, I just hoped they stayed safe on the river.

It wasn’t an early start next day as we weren’t booked on the lift until 2.15pm. To break up the day, after lunch we took a stroll to see how Heidi was getting on, she was trading steadily and the footfall past her boat was good.

We were joined in the lift by a sea otter called Green Jewel, sea otters are small narrowboats made from aluminium, and had a crew of 3 youngish lads on board, but a lot more sensible than the stag party.

Out of the lift and we turned right, away from Northwich. The Captain had decided to spend the night at Acton Bridge, the sea otter was heading for the delightfully named Devils Garden mooring which was further on. They joined us in the only lock of the day. Now these are huge river locks and are manned by lockees so I had nothing to do.

We found great mooring at Acton Bridge in front of NB Adagio and chatted to her Captain Liz, she told a nasty tale of being driven off Devils Garden by some very unpleasant characters, who turned up in camper vans claiming to know the owner of the land. As a single lady boater she felt very intimidated, even though there were other boats there too.

There is a pub at Acton Bridge, The Leigh Arms, so we asked if she would like to join us for a pint or 2, she was very happy to say yes. But then blew us out as some friends were already in the pub, not a problem.

It was lovely to sit in the sun with a very very happy Captain, not only were there 2 darks on the pumps, they also had Old Tom in bottles. He started with Luna stout from Unicorn brewery, and was so happy with it he didn’t bother with the Robinsons Dark or the Old Tom. I checked the menu out and it looked great, as did the food we saw brought out.

http://www.leigharms.co.uk/jml38/

it was so good we had 4 pints, yes 4.

We headed back to Northwich next day, and just before we set off 4 narrowboats and a wide beam passed us. When we got back to the big lock they were all in and waiting for us. The widebeam and 1 narrowboat first, then we brested up with the other 3 narrowboats and the lock still wasn’t full at all. That’s how big it was. Chatting to the other crew it turned out they were on a weekend jolly and heading back to their marina, which turned out to be Oakwood (yes, the pizza and a pint place) and the lady on one of the boats was the lady who had served us earlier in the week. They were a very friendly bunch. But had had the same experience at Devils Garden as Liz and weren’t happy about it at all.

Unfortunately when we got to Northwich the pontoons were full and we had to make to with mooring against a wall on the opposite bank, luckily the wall wasn’t to high so I could get off quite easily.

Monday and we headed into the town to do the bits needed before lunch. Then off to the Salty Dog for a pint at teatime, the Captain was again very very happy with a choice of 3 darks. He choose Dark Magic a 4.8avb stout from Merlins Micro Brewery. It was also only £2.50 a pint for real ales. Bonus.

https://salty-dog.co.uk/home

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054231681902

We decided to stay out for tea and tried Northwich Tandoori, and it was amazing. One of the tastiest curries I have had in a long time. I tried the Chicken 65, hot, spicy and sweet all at once, mmmmmmm yummy.

https://northwichtandoori.co.uk/

Our time on the Weaver had come to an end and we headed back to the Anderton lift and back onto the Trent and Mersey next day.

Another change to our plans we are going to head into Manchester for a couple of days.

But that’s for next time.

22miles, 3 locks 1 canal and 1 river