On the move again

We'd been delayed in Worsley because we heard about the 2 4 1 offer at the opticians at Tesco and they also have another offer where you can double up your clubcard points and use them in the opticians. We managed to get eye tests late yesterday afternoon and chose 2 pairs of glasses each. After doubling up some of our clubcard vouchers we only had to pay an additional £6 - now that's what I call a bargain! They'll be ready in a week but will hold them for us until we can get back to collect them.

This morning we set off early at 8.00 and have just moored up at Dutton at 5.15. It's been a lovely sunny day but was too dark when we'd finished mooring to take my usual photo. It's been a long time since we've cruised for a full 9 hours but we have to be through the Big Lock at Middlewich by tomorrow evening as BW are shutting it on Monday morning for the winter maintenance. By putting in another 8 or 9 hour day tomorrow we should be well clear and can slow down a bit again.

Dutton

Over the years we’ve visited the Stanley Arms many times, both by boat and car. The food was always excellent quality, basic English pub food. Unfortunately the pub appears to have recently changed hands and this is no longer the case. They’ve changed the menu for more ‘exotic’ meals and although the portions are still huge, the quality has deteriorated drastically. I doubt we’ll be back.

It’s been another lovely sunny day and the canal has been quite busy. We joined a convoy of 5 boats to go through Barnton Tunnel. The boat behind us had 2 car headlights built into it’s front bulkhead and they were so bright I wouldn’t have wanted to meet him coming towards me in a 2 way tunnel. You would have been dazzled beyond belief!

the boat was 200 yards behind us!

At Saltersford Tunnel the convoy was joined by one of the hire boats we’d had problems with at Middlewich. They still haven’t learnt how to steer in a straight line and went through the tunnel on tick-over forcing all of us travelling behind to do the same.

Saltersford Tunnel 

We’re now moored just before Dutton Stop Lock

and have been for a lovely walk through Longacre Wood.

It’s really beautiful with the sun shining through the trees.

I picked a couple of apples to go with the handful of blackberries I found yesterday. I don’t know about where you are, but so far this year the blackberries seem to be quite scarce. This time last year I was making jam but so far I haven’t found anywhere near enough. I think maybe we didn’t have enough rain earlier in the summer, as the ones I have found have been very small and sour and there are a lot of dead flowers that haven’t gone on to develop into berries. Maybe I’ll have more luck up on the Bridgewater Canal as they seem to have had more rain.