Day 37 we left Middlewich fairly early and found a very low pound between the second and third locks we went through, the lock full of water that went down with us was just enough to let us go through the small and very curved pound, although the tiller did hit something lightly. Later we sadly saw quite a lot of dead fish so J phoned the environment agency. Passed the Anderton lift and through two tunnels (Barton and Saltisford) the latter is very crooked (as D found out) so has timed passages.

Found a really quiet mooring, such a contrast to the previous night; bird song from the reeds instead of traffic.

Day 38 saw a quick trip up to Preston Brook to a chandlers to pick up some spares, this meant going through another tunnel. Turned around here and returned back the way we came. Bought some more canal-side eggs. So back through Preston Brook tunnel, some great orchids just to the south of the tunnel. Also back through Saltisford and Barton tunnels, so four tunnels in one day. J not fond of driving through tunnels but did three of them, including going through Saltisford without one touch! Also, for a change, we were going into the second two tunnels to keep dry as the skies opened and J got soaked. Moored near Anderton lift for lunch in advance of our passage down to the Weaver. The Anderton lift is a Victorian structure which allows boats to travel the 50ft or so between the Trent and Mersey canal and the River Weaver below. Last time we came this way w stopped and looked at the non-working historically interesting structure; in the mean time it has been put back into operation and is a successful tourist attraction as well as giving boaters the option of travelling between the two and becoming part of the entertainment.

We were due to make our passage at 1545 giving us plenty of time to get to a mooring. It became apparent that this might be an issue when we were watching the previous passage which was very delayed. We got to the queue moorings in plenty of time. It had started raining again, so we did this in the rain J reaching the various plant pots and handing them to D in the bow, don’t know how he got the dry job. Our passage time came and went; eventually someone came and told us there was an issue and they would let us know as soon they knew something. We also needed to do some shopping as we didn’t even have enough milk for coffee in the morning (major issue!). By now it was about 1630 and the visitor centre was shutting up so we couldn’t even go and get some from there. No shops near the lift. One of the staff went into the centre for us and came back with a large coffee cup full of milk at no charge, very kind. We went down soon after. All the staff involved were really nice and the guy on the boat who travelled down with was going to Northwich, so we followed him up the river (he had previously phoned a friend to check that there were free moorings in the town for us). Finally moored up about 1700. Almost immediately D spotted a cormorant which had caught an eel and was having a bit of a battle to kill and eat it. It finally won the battle after about five minutes, this was in the centre of the river between us and the boats moored in the marina opposite us; amazing.