Runcorn

Thursday 30th May 2019

We set off from home just before 2pm on Wednesday expecting a 2.5 to 3 hour journey. There was stationary traffic and 50mph roadworks on the M40, M42, M5 and M6 but NOT on the M56. We arrived at Acton Bridge just after 6:30pm and so went straight to the Leigh Arms for dinner before unloading. The food was good but a little expensive – even by Oxfordshire standards. A pleasant pub atmosphere with a full events program. Shame we’ll miss the American wrestling, steam fair and dog show.

Back at Jannock we unloaded in the rain and settled in for the evening. The rain had stopped when we got up so we readied for the off. Past the Black Prince base and on through lovely woodland to Dutton Stop lock where we arrived just as an ascending boat leaving. He was towing another boat so helped work us through so that he could pull his tow through. At Preston Brook tunnel we had time for a cuppa as we waited out time to pass through.

Under the M56 bridge and turn left onto the Runcorn arm to visit another new section of canal that Jannock has not been on before. A pleasant 75 minute cruise took us to the terminus at Waterloo bridge, Runcorn, in sight of both the Manchester Ship canal and the River Mersey – when you stand on tip toes. They are upgrading the towpath to smooth tarmac along this section of canal and we met this work boat coming the other way near Astwood bridge. Once moored up we did a circular walk that took us down to the promenade and along to return up the route of the Runcorn locks that used to link the Bridgewater canal to the MSC but were closed in 1966 and subsequently filled in.

Then into town to visit the Coop supermarket to see whether we could spend the balance on our Divi-card in this store – Yes we could and so two large bags of ‘free’ shopping we staggered back to the boat.

The moorings at Runcorn are right underneath the Liverpool airport flight path – we could see the colour of the pilots socks as they flew over us – so we decided to make our way back to find a quieter mooring for the night. Back up to Preston Brook junction and almost to Bridge 3 where we found a spot not to close to railways, M6 or flight paths.

Graham