Saturday 11th August 2012
Billinge Green Flash to Moorefield Bridge.
I stayed up late last night doing a bat survey and to observe the Perseids Meteor shower. The bats consisted of a few Pipistrelle round the trees. Daubentons could be detected and seen skimming low over the water surface. There were few meteors of note observed - with a single bright long persistence one. I will try again tonight if the clouds keep away. But it was also a night to listen and look for the local wildlife at the same time. The best spot being a Barn Owl floating across the fields at the far side of the flash.
Another sunny day is promised and this morning was a little bit misty with a good covering of dew forming on the grass. Soon the sun dried away the dew and it promised to be a good day for cruising along the Trent and Mersey canal. However, as we prepared to move there were dark clouds building on the horizon!
Whilst the flash as a place to moor is very attractive. I discovered that the Flash is also on one of the flight paths into and out of Manchester airport. There was a steady stream of arriving aircraft passing overhead.
We were tempted to take Rosie down the Anderton Boat Lift and have a day or two on the River Weaver. However as we have a tightening schedule this has been put off until next years cruising season.
A steady cruise through open countryside until we reached Barnton Tunnel. A quick look and we could see that the tunnel was clear and so in we went. It's only a short pound between Barnton Tunnel and Saltersford Tunnel. This is a timed entry as the tunnel has a kink and there is no clear view from one end to the other. The passage was quite eventful. First a pause halfway for a trip into the weed hatch to clear the prop. Then as we reached the other end three boats entered the tunnel. (They had set off 5 mins early!!!) There was some delay whilst the boats reversed back out!
After clearing Dutton Stop Lock we were just in time - to join three other boats - for passage through Preston Brook Tunnel. Then we were onto the start of the Bridgewater Canal.
Whilst the flash as a place to moor is very attractive. I discovered that the Flash is also on one of the flight paths into and out of Manchester airport. There was a steady stream of arriving aircraft passing overhead.
We were tempted to take Rosie down the Anderton Boat Lift and have a day or two on the River Weaver. However as we have a tightening schedule this has been put off until next years cruising season.
A steady cruise through open countryside until we reached Barnton Tunnel. A quick look and we could see that the tunnel was clear and so in we went. It's only a short pound between Barnton Tunnel and Saltersford Tunnel. This is a timed entry as the tunnel has a kink and there is no clear view from one end to the other. The passage was quite eventful. First a pause halfway for a trip into the weed hatch to clear the prop. Then as we reached the other end three boats entered the tunnel. (They had set off 5 mins early!!!) There was some delay whilst the boats reversed back out!
After clearing Dutton Stop Lock we were just in time - to join three other boats - for passage through Preston Brook Tunnel. Then we were onto the start of the Bridgewater Canal.
Daily Total
Miles: 15.1
Locks: 1
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 3
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 6.0
Accumulated Totals
Miles: 1058.3
Locks: 773
Swing / Lift Bridges: 119
Tunnels. 21
Pump Outs: 12
Engine Hours: 2337.4
Later......
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