Bank Holiday rambles continued......................................................................

Tuesdays weather wasn't as good as Mondays but I did my planned walk anyway.

The reed beds along the river bank were alive with birds... this little Reed Bunting had a mouthful of insects to feed to it's young.

 Dutton Lock was about to be put into action as I arrived.

 Dutton Locks were built in 1874 at the height of Cheshire's salt trading industry to help transport the valuable mineral from Northwich to the Port of Liverpool.

The paddles are opened letting the water escape slowly.

The river craft descend to the level of the river beyond the lock gates... I took a little video clip of the boats as they carried on their journey as the gates opened.

           Alongside the locks are some pretty cottages... these used to be the homes of the lock keepers.

                                                     

The gardens were lovely to see.

As the boats continued their journeys so did I.

 Passing under the railway viaduct before turning left to follow some footpaths that would eventually take me across country back towards Acton Bridge and my starting point.

 The railway viaduct from the far side as I headed away from the river.

 It's a wealthy part of the county... with lots of private meadows complete with grazing pets.

An early 1960's Hillman lay rotting in the garden of an old cottage.

I also passed some lovely well kept gardens... always a delight to see.

I would have loved to taken a peak through that gate.

This walk was done on Tuesday (a public holiday to celebrate the Queens Jubilee) and as I passed this Landrover I had to smile... masks of the Queen and Prince Philip adorned the front seats.

It was raining quite hard as I returned to the car... but it was a lot better than being at work.