Saturday, 21 January 2012

A walk around my local history................................. Anderton Boat Lift

It was wet and very windy today... and I mean windy... my garden fence has been destroyed.
It will have to wait... as I had already made plans for my walks for the weekend.

Anderton Boat Lift provides a 50-foot (15.2 m) vertical link between two navigable waterways
 The River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Anderton Nature Reserve has a large car park (Pay and Display)
The weather looks lovely in this image... believe me I spent the afternoon running after my cap.
The lack of cars proves my point.

The Trent and Mersey Canal next to the boat lift has an overflow... after all our recent rain it was in use.

The young Mute Swans were loving the attention of all people out for a wander with the kids..

 ...braving the weather and feeding the ducks.
I descended the footpath from the canal to the River Weaver to view the boat lift.

Built in 1875 it was in use for over 100 years until it was closed due to corrosion in 1983.
Restoration started in 2001 and the boat lift was re-opened in 2002 at a cost of £11m.
This is the bottom of the overflow from the canal flowing (gushing) into the River Weaver.

I walked back along the river... sheltered by the chemical works on the other side of the river.

This is the entrance to the lift from the canal... barges enter the two caissons and are lowered or raised between the river and canal.
The traffic these days....... leisure boats.
The chemical works of Northwich in the background.

The visitor centre was closed for winter...
...click on the link below to see more about Anderton Boat Lift... you won't be disappointed.

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23 comments:

  1. John21 January 2012 at 19:15

    What an amazing piece of engineering!
    The wind has blowed a bit hasn`t it!?
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

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  2. TexWisGirl21 January 2012 at 19:52

    sorry about your garden fencing!

    i like those young swans. like the 'dusting' of coloration they still have.

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  3. Bob Bushell21 January 2012 at 19:55

    Great story and photos Andrtew.

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  4. Horst in Edmonton21 January 2012 at 20:19

    Hi Andrew, we have a lift simular to this on the Redeau Canal Near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

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  5. Sondra21 January 2012 at 20:25

    how cool that its still in operation after the very expensive face lift...
    I've always been fascinated with locks and what an engineering feat it is to build and maintain these.
    Hope that winds dies down for you...buckets of rain here today!!

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  6. Brian King21 January 2012 at 21:20

    Sorry to hear about your fence, Andrew! Glad you got out, though. Sometimes the best photos are taken in the worst conditions. The swan photos are wonderful and I really like that boat lift. You have some very nice scenery there!

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  7. Carole M.21 January 2012 at 21:48

    I'm glad you chose to continue with your plan for the day; it would've been good for your soul. Face the fence in good time, later, it will heal; shame though, it must've been wild and woolly last night! Love the swans and the rest of your walk with camera.

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  8. Kay21 January 2012 at 22:51

    Hello Andrew. Wanted to thank you for stopping by my Photoblog and leaving a comment. I love looking at your blog and I think I will sign up to follow you. Hope you also check out my hiking blog. There is a link to it on my Photoblog.

    Kay

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  9. John @ Beans and I on the Loose21 January 2012 at 23:25

    Very interesting. Yes, you have the right idea, don't worry about a fence. It'll be waiting for you when you're ready.

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  10. Dina J22 January 2012 at 01:06

    Interesting to see your side of the world. Love that juvy swan shot. I haven't seen one still a little brown.

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  11. Susan Scheid22 January 2012 at 01:47

    The swans at the overflow is an exquisite photograph. Thanks for bringing your walk to us.

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  12. Chatty Crone22 January 2012 at 02:18

    I love those young mute swans - your pictures are all so clear and beautiful. sandie

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  13. Ruby22 January 2012 at 08:17

    The lock mechanism is a marvel and good to watch them in operation. The swan shots are great. I always chase after my caps or scarves on a windy day :)

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  14. ADRIAN22 January 2012 at 08:24

    I have always meant to have a look at this. I saw it out of commission. I must get back for a look. A great piece of engineering.
    Put up some sheep netting, the wind will blow through it.

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  15. MadSnapper22 January 2012 at 10:45

    I really like the photo of the swans taking there bath on the edge of the falls

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  16. eileeninmd22 January 2012 at 11:05

    I would have left the fence too! Wonderful outing and the swans look beautiful.

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  17. Unknown22 January 2012 at 12:24

    The second pic is my favourite. Sorry about your garden fence.

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  18. Unknown22 January 2012 at 15:35

    Another beautiful stroll around your area!
    So much to see there!
    Lovely shots of the Swans!

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  19. Anonymous23 January 2012 at 00:11

    THANKS FOR SHARING. ENJOYED.

    GRANNY FROM FLORIDA. I'LL BE BACK.

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  20. The Glebe Blog23 January 2012 at 10:20

    Great stuff,I love the canals and waterways.
    I worked for a number of years at Keadby Wharf on the Trent and would often talk to bargees heading up the Keadby and Stainforth Canal.
    Before I finished working there in 2001, the re-opening of the Anderton Boat Lift and The Bingley Five Rise Locks were often a favourite topic of coversation.
    Here's a
    Map of Englands Inland Waterways

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  21. Inger-M23 January 2012 at 19:24

    The young swan is so cute! And that path along the river looks really inviting for a walk.

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  22. Sallie (FullTime-Life.com25 January 2012 at 02:41

    We live on a canal, but yours are soooo much prettier and more interesting. (It might be warmer here though ;>)

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