Barnton Cut to Acton Bridge and Acton Bridge to Sutton Swing Bridge

Thursday 14th August

Going in Saltersford Lock

It was a bit rainy when we got up, the hire boat in front of us chugged off up to the lock, then three other boats went past, so we decided to wait a bit and let them go through the lock first, the other boat moored with us then also left and went up to the lock, so we thought we would leave it a bit longer before we set off, so about 10 minutes later, we set off for the lock.  

Davenports Tea Rooms

Moored at Acton  Bridge

We rang the lock keeper to let him know we were coming and he said if we hurried up, we could go through with the others, so we speeded up and went into the lock and in there was the hire boat and two of the other boats, so even though they left quite a while before us, they ended up having to wait for us, so there were four of us in the lock.  The locks are very big and can apparently hold up to 18 boats.  Down we went and out of the lock and up the river to Acton Bridge.  There was only one other boat there, so plenty of room for us.   We chilled out for a bit.  We were told that there was a farm shop and tea rooms up the road near the Trent & Mersey Canal, so we walked up to find it.  It wasn’t far up the road nor was the Canal, so we walked up to the canal, then went down the lane to the farm shop and tea rooms called Davenports.   The farm shop was a bit of a disappointment as it wasn’t big and didn’t have much in it.  They seem to be concentrating on the tea room.  We sat in the garden and had a drink, then walked back to the boat.  Chilled out for the rest of the evening.

Friday 15th August

In Dutton Lock

Lovely sunny morning on River Weaver

Down and out Dutton Lock

Railway Bridge over River Weaver

The sun was shining again today so we set off up the river to Dutton Lock.  The lock was ready for us, so in we went and down the lock and out up the river.  It is really lovely at this end, very rural, we chugged along past Devil’s Garden moorings in the middle of nowhere, they looked really nice so we will stop there on the way back.  On past Frodsham Cut and up to the moorings just before Sutton Swing Bridge.  There was no one there, so we moored up.  Had lunch, then walked up the road to the town of Frodsham, about a 15 to 20 minute walk, up hill, but at least its down hill on the way back!! Had a walk around, it’s a very old town with lots of old interesting buildings, stopped at the nice coffee shop where we went last time we were here, then walked back to the boat.  It was a really nice sunny evening.  Staying here tonight and chugging off tomorrow.

Moored at Sutton Swing Bridge