Wednesday was fun.
Canoeing from Acton Bridge, I had a plan, but unbeknown to me I sort of picked the wrong day ( maybe)!
As soon as got there I realised that all the recent rain had raised the river level quite significantly. Once I started canoeing could see there was a definite down stream flow, you very often don’t notice the flow.
Paddled a few miles up to the next locks, Saltersford, ( yesterdays image) but instead of like last week when I got out, and walked around the locks and got back in to the canalised part of the river ( it’s wider, deeper and straighter for the large ships), I planned to veer right at the locks and explore the now mostly disused original route of the river.
There are two big weirs that allow surplus water to flow from canal into the river.
One by Northwich, near the boat lift and one about a mile before. That was my target.
As soon as I entered the river I knew this would be interesting.
The flow here was much faster, and stuff was being carried downstream by the currant. The instant I stopped paddling I was swept backwards. Add to this all the trees and other obstructions in the water that was diverting the water and forming strange flows, eddys and whirlpools.
Its not used very much and isn't maintained as well as the main channel.
I continued on, at one stage I nearly gave up. The river had narrowed and I guess was shallower too, and was whizzing along. The same amount of water was trying to squeeze through a much smaller space. I spent about two minutes paddling like crazy, watching the bank and didn’t move an inch forward !!!!!!
I made one last big effort and managed to get through it.
Struggled on, got to the weir, tied up, took photos, had dinner and a rest.
This image of the weir/sluice gates is the other side from Tuesdays post called Mind the Step. It took me about an hour and a half struggling to get there. Coming back was exhilarating, I hardy needed to paddle, more just to control the canoe and steer around all the obstacles. I was back at the locks in less than twenty minutes, including pausing for photos !!!!!
Todays other post was taken during my return journey from here......
https://365project.org/markp/Alternatively/06-11-2020
