Industrial landscapes and salty tales

Half seven yesterday morning ...

... misty and oh so cold.

20 past 9 and we waiting to set off when this angry swan comes by ...

... and sets off into the air to chase an unwanted guest ...

... and making sure he doesn't come back!

That's better!

Seyella is off ...

... promptly followed by Moore2Life ...

... and us!

The pair are content again ...

... as we cruise this lovely river towards - what is that? a monument?

Whoops, that bridge looks a bit low!

Moore 2 Life will never get under there ...

... with the chimney on ... or the tv dish either!

Ann has it sorted now and I think now they'll be ok.

At least we know that our headroom is approximately 1.9 metres now!

Is that what I thought was the monument?

yes ... but it's actually ...

Salt Union

Doesn't look much like salt though being loaded into the queues of lorries ...

... once full, off they go and the next one moves up for more of the same!

It's a massive place ...

... with mountains of the stuff ...

Rock Salt - that's what it is!

Those mountains dwarf Moore 2 Life ...

... but the colours as the rock salt dries and the formations are a sight to behold!

On the other side of the river the banks are also high and the factory tops the Weaver up too.

Round the corner another factory - on the return trip we could smell washing powder here but I don't know what this factory produces.

This made us smile, the River Weaver is so wide this winding hole must be for ships the size of the Queen Mary!

Herons standing to attention close to ...

 ... Winsford Bridge which marks the end of British Waterways and the start of Winsford Flash

 It's also the repository for the locals rubbish!

 Geoff and Mags have already ventured onto the flash and M2L follow ...

 Seyella is turning ...

 ... and watch with interest as Chas does his turn ...

 ... got there in the end ...

... and here we all are - shooting the breeze ...

... in the middle of Winsford Flash!

 Time to go back now ...

 ... and the heron has not moved!

 Impressive!

 The tipper climbs the mountain - the bucket was nearly over the river!

 I'm assuming that the salt comes from under the ground and along the conveyer belt into this storage area - the interior looks as if it's carved oak

 The contrast of such industry with such a lovely river is amazing and does not detract from its beauty.

 Gongoozlers (people who enjoy watching boats) at Newbridge Swing Bridge

 Molly is quite happy to snooze the cruise away today!

 The pretty bridge over the weir where we were moored last night

 A soaring buzzard and cormorants sunning themselves in the trees

 Waiting for the lock keepers to arrive at Vale Royal Locks - M2L and Seyella are tied abreast (together) ...

 ... and stayed that way as they cruised into the lock ...

 ... which was a bit awkward because one of the gates wouldn't open fully ...

 ... after the two boats had shuffled about a bit, there was just room for little Rock n Roll!

 Smile please!

 The blue Hartfor Bridge - very nice

 Passing the marina's assortment of vessels ...

 ... and into Hunt's Lock.

 Moore 2 Life leaves first to go under the railway

 Yarwoods Basin formerly the site of WJ Yarwoods ship, tug, barge and narrowboat builders 1840 - 1966

 Past the BW Repair Yard and Northwich Town Bridge ...

 ... to our mooring spot on the town wharf.

 The view through the galley window...

 ... where I had visitors ...

at 7pm!
The evening was a bit noisy as we're moored at the back of MacDonalds car park but it did quietened down later so all was well.
Today it's been a domestic day, washing, shopping etc., and it's been wet and windy and chilly so I'm glad we've stayed put!