Gently on to Barton

Before coming on to today, I must mention the excellent walk we found yesterday after I'd blogged. A bit beyond where we'd moored was a footpath sign pointing away from the canal. On exploring where it led, we found ourselves walking alongside some preserved woodland, part of the Woodland Trust's work. At the further end was an interpretation board that showed the paths through the wood. It's partly really ancient forest with a screen of more modern broadleaved planting to protect it.

We were able to ramble right through, down into and out of a steep gulley or clough and then finally back down again and out onto the towpath very near the Dutton drydock. The atmosphere inside was incredible, a bit like the 100 Acre Wood in Christopher Robin, Sheila reckoned, but for me more like the Old Forest at the edge of the Shire in the Lord of the Rings. Many of the trees are clearly very old, especially the hornbeams which tower into the canopy above you.

It was very quiet and restful and ideal for an afternoon stroll. Strongly recommended.

Today was quite straightforward. We decided it was my turn to steer, but Sheila made a start a bit before half seven whilst I got some breakfast. We wanted to get to Saltersford tunnel whilst it was still quiet and managed that by 8.35. Entry is from half past the hour until ten to in this direction, so we were able to carry on without stopping.

Ten minutes later we were out in the pool which lies between the two tunnels. There was an Andersen hire boat on the best bit of mooring, but rings have been installed a bit further on round the right hand bend, so we tied there. It was only just after nine by the time we were sorted, so we walked up into the village.

You walk across the top of the tunnel, past the ventilation shafts, and turn left at the road to walk to the village. There's a very basic Premier store at the main road, but we carried on, turning right and crossing the road at the lights. You then walk up the minor road, following your nose to another main road at the top. Cross that and carry on in the same direction and eventually you come to a Co-op and a couple of other shops.

Back at the boat, we stowed the stuff and had a coffee. The Andersen then set off, so we pulled Sanity Again back onto their mooring. We've had a pleasant day here, watching the varied comings and goings through the pool and the tunnels.

Tomorrow, we'll make an early start again to get through Barnton tunnel before it gets busy. We plan to tie for the night at the bit of Billinge Green flash that's not been turned into a marina. On Tuesday, we'll carry on into Middlewich for a couple of days.