May 23rd 2012 moored at Billinge Flash on the Trent and Mersey
                          24 miles, 1 lock and 3 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Wednesday 23rd

Hotter still today.  We cruised on through Barnton and the two tunnels to Anderton passing the lift bridge just as the trip boat entered to descend the lift.  Quick top of the water tank at Anderton services and moved on to Marbury Country Park for a lunch time stop and walked the woods to give the dogs some exercise. Very disappointed that the meadow which was alive with wild flowers last year had not much more than thistles and nettles on show.  Looks like the late frosts have taken their toll.   Headed onwards down the T&M through Marston and Wincham.  More evidence of work going on at the Lion Salt works at last, may be it will be saved as a museum before falling into a total ruin. Through Broken Cross, passing the site of a new marina on the right, just beyond Orchard Marina on the left.  Still no sign of it being connected to the canal yet. Moored up on the flash with open water to the side of the boat and tried another chilling out session before the sun droppped below the line of the hedge and it it started to get cool again.

Tuesday 22nd

Another sunny and hotter day, how lucky we appear to have been deciding to set off this week.  Early (for us) we set off for a short cruise before watering up and using the services at Thorne Marine under the London Road bridge Stockton Heath. Onwards passed Preston Brook (saw Ruby Tuesday moored with the other hire boats at Claymore Navigation).  Onwards through Preston Brook tunnel, timed to perfection arriving with 5 minutes to spare before setting off on the half hour.  Very few boats seen on the move at all, we seem to have the canal to ourselves although managed to time our arrival at the stop lock after the tunnel well, passing a boat as it emerged from the lock.  After the stop lock we cruised just a short way to the winding hole between bridges 212 and 211 above the River Weaver and the Dutton Locks.  Here we moored up for a late lunch and chilled out sitting in our chairs on the towpath for a couple of hours.  Only 2 boats passed, not many more pedestrians and one cyclist.  Then off down to Dutton Locks and through Dutton parkland in a useful circuit to work up an appetite.

Monday 21st

We woke to a very sunny day and went off early into the deer park with the dogs for a walk before taking it in turns to visit the gardens (no dogs allowed).  I visited the house and saw the silver collection as recently seen on TV.  Bridie deferred until next time we pass Dunham.  We made our way back to the boat to enjoy the warm weather and set off towards Lymme, a pleasant hours cruise away, where Bridie had a quick trip to Sainsbury's before continuing on beneath the M6 and on to Pickerings Bridge - a mooring spot we have visited several times.

Sunday 20th May

Left Cumbria this morning with a clear blue sky and almost no cloud to be seen but at a cool 9°as we motored onto the M6 and headed south as far as junction 7 of the M56 for Dunham Massey where we met Simon and friends with Prairie Oyster (PO).  Arrived about 11:30, a bit warmer now at 14°, but now a grey sky with no sign of the sun.

First priority was to unpack the car of our belongings dumping in PO and filling it with Simon's.  Then off to the Swan with Two Nicks for lunch. Managed to find a table for six and take all four dogs in with us.  Why aren't more pubs dog friendly?  This was Mabel's first pub lunch and she approved once she found food was a possibility.  She was generally well behaved apart from engaging a Staffie at the neighbouring table in a little polite 'conversation'!

After lunch Simon and friends headed north, with our car, and we set to unpacking and getting ourselves settled on board.  Took some time off for a dog walk during late afternoon to prevent a rebellion.