Monday 22nd July 2013

'Today was the day when we finally reached the end of the Trent and Mersey canal as we arrived at Preston Brook. We have counted down the miles since leaving the marina and as we travelled to Shardlow at the beginning of the canal last year we have now done the whole length. There doesn't seem to be a final post saying that you are there so here is the nearest one.

One boat didn't make it to the end.

We travelled a little way along the Runcorn branch of the Bridgewater canal but decided not to go to the end as a chap we met when filling up with water was unsure about the turning space. We also wanted to visit the Manchester Ship Canal which in the end proved to be a great experience.

We had read about the Thelwell ferry in the guide book so decided to investigate. Having moored at Thelwell we walked thought the village and sure enough at 4pm our boatman Kevin turned up to scull us over the canal in a little boat.

Kevin is apparently now on YouTube and Facebook and you can find out about this unique service by googling 'Thelwell Ferry'. The cost for this trip - 11p per person!

We then walked to Latchford locks on the  ship canal 

Slightly larger than the locks we are used to. Just as we were leaving to continue the walk a man arrived, donned a hi-vis jacket and we realised that a boat was due. Never ones to miss a new experience we decided to wait, and wait and wait. The boat was over an hour late and just like buses not one boat arrived but two.

The second boat had to wait for the first to exit the lock.

So the wait was worth it and we contined the walk back to the boat along part of the Trans-Pennine Way.