Northwich to Manchester

This trip will start, EITHER from Northwich Quay Marina (on the River Weaver), OR (if the boat lift isn’t working), Near the Broken Cross Pub Northwich.

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Guests will arrive approximately 1.30pm on day one and after an introductory blah blah (and most probably glass of something fizzy) we’ll chug off to begin our adventure.  The aim will be to make it up as we go along generally but we will need to put a few hours chugging in before we tie up for our first night…and our mooring location will be dependant upon WHERE we actually started – IF it’s the Broken Cross, then we’ll stop off in Anderton so guests can take a wander around the boat lift visitor centre before dinner… IF however the lift is working, we’ll tie up on the floating river pontoons at the bottom of the lift in readiness for our ascent the next morning.

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Breakfast wise on ‘Ellis’ the 1st day is usually a DIY affair – (as is every other day)… on alternate days, Capt. E. will rustle some eggs up or maybe the odd bacon sarnie.

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If we’ve been lucky enough to be able to go up the boat lift, we’ll chug on through Barnton and Saltersford tunnels before perhaps taking a lunch break near Dutton.

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Timings might get a bit muddled as entry to the tunnels is restricted to; on the hour for ten mins or on the half hour for ten mins (depending on direction of travel)… sometimes we arrive at JUST the wrong time and have to wait it out.

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The same restrictions apply for Preston Brook tunnel too – it’s just one of those things and unlike the old days when Capt. E. used to get stressed about it, he now takes the opportunity to grab a drink or a few zzz whilst we wait.

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Once through Preston tunnel, it’s plain sailing with  pretty villages along the way.  Lymm is lovely and we’ll try for an overnight there if there’s a mooring available.  At the time of writing  (Nov 25) the Bridgewater canal is STILL closed do to the new years breach… Peel ports (who own it as it’s not CRT water) have indicated that they expect it to be repaired and re-watered by December 26.

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After Lymm, we’ll chug on to Stretford and take the opportunity to have a pump out and fill with diesel from what’s probably one of the most friendly marinas we’ve stayed in.  During the 2nd lock down, ‘Ellis' was marooned here and it became a 2nd home.

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It’s just a short chug from here to Castlefield basin where our travels end .  Hopefully we’ll bed able to spend our final night moored here  to give guests the opportunity to explore Manchester and maybe even have an after dinner drink in one ( or a few) of Manchester’s vibrant pubs.

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Our trip terminates after breakfast on the final morning and guests are expected to depart around 9.30am.

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This is a trip of 32 miles and 1 lock