From the RHS to Kickback Coffee.

 Saturday 26th August 2023 in Altrincham.

After a quick trip to Aldi, we set off from Leigh. This is where the Leeds & Liverpool Canal (Leigh Branch) gives way to the Bridgewater Canal. As we passed under the bridge, a notice reminded us that we were leaving C&RT territory.

A few yards further on, before the next bridge, is a much smaller notice welcoming us to the Bridgewater Canal. A separate licence is required for this canal but the first seven days are free.

Only a few miles further on, we stopped at Boothstown Marina for some diesel. Last year we moored here twice and got to know the guys quite well. They greeted us like old friends, declaring we are their "favourite boaters"! It was great to see them and we look forward to seeing them next year when we come up this way again.

Just a  few hundred yards further on, we moored outside RHS Bridgewater. It is possible to moor in a couple of places here but the canal bank is very overgrown, restricting mooring opportunities. Sadly and suprisingly, there is no notice or indication on the canal bank of the proximity of the RHS garden - what a missed opportunity!

 This is at least our fourth visit to the gardens, as we have visited every time that we have cruised past.

 

Our plan was to have breakfast in the café overlooking the lake, which was perfect at first - until it started to rain!
 

We didn't go into the main garden but M spotted this lovely Purple Loosestrife on the way in.

Although we didn't go into the main garden, M did visit the shop.  The geraniums on MM have been a bit disappointing this year and are looking decidedly tired so we thought we would liven the troughs up a bit with some additional colour.  We chose red cyclamen and a red Impatiens (Busy Lizzy).

To clarify, the plants that M purchased are the ones R is carrying, not those in the big pots! Fortunately, the massive pots were not for sale. How on earth would we have got them home, anyway?!

The canal water here is coloured by dissolved iron ore, which makes it look like milk chocolate, although it wouldn't taste anything like as nice as Cadbury's!

This is Worsley Old Hall, built next to the Delph (on the right), which was the entrance to the Duke of Bridgewater's orignal coal mine. The entire history of canals and narrowboats began here!

This trip boat came from Boothstown Marina, where we had stopped earlier this morning. Everyone was clearly having a great time!.

The Barton Swing Aqueduct crosses the Manchester Ship Canal. It can be opened to let large ships pass below, although it is very rarely opened these days. Sadly it was choked with weed, which ended up wrapped around MM's bow.

Next to the canal aqueduct is the road swing bridge, also still in use, as the bus testifies!

We laughed at this original and rather cheeky name for a narrowboat. No sign of little green plants on the roof though!

Going through the centre of Sale, we saw this heron standing on his dignity and quite unconcerned with our passing; in fact he ignored us entirely, clearly not worthy of his attention.

As we approached Altrincham, we moored up outside "Kickback Coffee" (one of Robin's "go to" places).  We tied MM to the railings and walked in for a great coffee and a very warm welcome from Harvey and Chris, who remembered us from our previous visits.

Today: 15 miles, 0 locks and 5.1 hours.

Trip:186 miles, 80 locks and 97.8 hours.