To Winsford Flash




interesting old sea faring boat

We cruised  to the top of the Winsford Flash as the barometer rose to very dry. It was a treat to go through the locks with all the work done by the cheerful lock keepers.

We passed lots of salt works. The factories were large and ugly but the salt was sculpted into intricate shapes and sparkled various shades of pink and coral. One heap looked like a pyramid with the top cut off and another like a heap of giant flowers.

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Tons of sand

On reaching Winsford flash Paul turned the boat as there were warning signs about shallow water but the hotel boat passed us and headed onto the flash. He couldn't have gone far on it though as he soon caught us up when we moored up.





Heron on lookout

 Lottie went crazy on her walk, running through the soft peaty bogs and getting plastered in black gloop. She met 2 dogs and showed off her running skills, keeping ahead easily, even hurdling the dogs when they got in her way.  Fortunately she then paddled in the river to cool off and cleaned herself up saving us a difficult job.

Later in the afternoon we passed the Anderton Lift and headed towards the next lock. The river was very quiet and felt more like a lake as it was calm with almost no flow. We only saw a couple of boats moving all day. 



Cormorant taking off

I was fortunate to see a cormorant catch a fish and shortly afterwards a heron also caught one but Paul missed the action on the camera. The river seems very healthy with lots of wild birds on it.