Dutton

We were in no rush to get away today as we only had a few miles and no locks to do, so I decided to change the hydraulic filter on the drive system.
The Bluebells are probably now at their best giving a good show in the canal side woods.
As we passed this lady with a dog was going along the footpath on a rather interesting scooter with what looks like a standard bike front wheel and a small rear one connected by a low foot platform.

A little further on CRT have raised the top of the concrete piling where it has slowly subsiding.

A brief stop at Anderton Service to dump the rubbish including the chewed bad from the front deck, there were two boats there and only one water point working. Chugging past the top of the lift the trip boat was just entering the casing to go down. Then we saw our first Cygnets of the year, 2 were hitching a lift on mums back but one slipped off as we approached.

A little further on there has been a land slip, I don’t know if this is the one from about 2 or 3 years ago or a new one. CRT have gone to town on signs, no mooring and no  fishing each side, a speed limit. I don’t think I can do 1MPH.

Then as well as piling, rows of buoys, not sure why they needed them towpath side as well, it just makes it slightly narrower, but even then there is more room that passing the boats on the long term moorings further along.
A clean run round the bend by bridge 202 but with a boat moored on the outside of the bend going into it I think a 70 footer would struggle coming round in the other direction. Arrived at Barnton Tunnel and still a clear run, this set us up to reach the mouth of Saltersford Tunnel at ten past twelve so straight through there as well.
We passed a nicely converted ships lifeboat, with their riveted aluminium hulls they use to be very popular wit DIYers who wanted to get afloat.

On the off side the wild Garlic is now in full flower.

Further on CRT are hard at work repairing the towpath edge, I don’t know if the stones will be used to make good the surface behind the piling.

Always sad to see, is someone’s pride and joy on the bottom of the canal, this little Narrowboat looked as if it had been well cared for before this happened to it.

Almost at our mooring for the night, we were going to stop at the site of the old breach but there were already 3 boats there so we pushed on to within about a mile of Dutton Lock. Just before mooring we passed another family of Coots, the chicks are ugly little thing in my opinion.

Today’s Journey  7 miles, no locks in 3¼ hours