Vale Royal

Day : Saturday
Date : 6 April 2019
Start : 0920
Finish : 1530 Vale Royal moorings

Well this morning we escaped from the dry dock, Matt came along about 8 is and got things ready and we vacated the boat so the steps could be removed.
When Matt drew the paddle in the gate the water came in at quite a rate hitting the first bostock which takes the sting out of it, it was

  then a matter of waiting until Harnser was afloat and the lock full so that she could be draw to the side so we could re board.

Then at 9-20 AM. we set off backwards out of the lock turning in the weir stream, I was quite pleased that the sluices were closed down this morning so there was little flow. You can see how the mouth of the dry dock is just in front and one side of the sluice gates.

There were plenty of rowers about when we made our way out onto the river and headed upstream to Vale Royal lock. When we arrived the keepers were about to open the gate for us as the lock keeper at Hunts had given him a ring to say we were coming.
Once clear of the lock we went to the head of navigation at Winsford and filled with water, the first fill up since last Friday afternoon. We then dropped down to The Red Lion moorings and went in for lunch. After bit of a lengthy break we carried on down stream to the Vale Royal visitor moorings where we have stopped for the night.

Today's Journey

6¼ Miles 2 Locks in 3¼ hours