2018 Part 3 Aqueduct to Crick
Via Shroppie
~ 25th August to ?? September
On the night of 15/16th March there was a major breech between locks 1 and 2 on the Middlewich branch draining the whole pound between the locks and causing extensive damage to the embankment. It is likely that it will take 6 months or more to repair effectively closing this route for the whole if the 2018 summer season.
An alternative route does exist but this includes the large commercial Manchester Ship Canal between Ellesmere Port and the mouth of the River Weaver, and the lower Weaver which is also still used by large commercial traffic. While this is a challenge it is possible in a narrowboat given proper planning and preparation. Unfortunatly this route is now closed until further notice by a collision between the steamer Daniel Adamson and the lock gates at Marsh lock.
Unfortunatly the logistics of navigating the Manchester Ship Canal mean that even if Marsh lock is reopened it is unlikely that we could take advantage of it, and I am not planning to shell out the £100plus for survey etc on spec.
Having rung around the various boatyards I have placed a deposit with Crick Marina with a booking until after the Crick show next year. Lets hope the watersupplies to the Crick summit hold out.
As a result we have no option but to proceed back down the Shropshire Union to Autherly and from then to the winter mooring at Crick.
