Stinky Sutton Weaver

The River Weaver navigation is only 20 miles long. We intend to spend the rest of the summer here so we didn't feel the need to travel far and moored at Sutton Weaver, just a short way upstream. We passed under the impressive Weston Viaduct and passed by a beautiful boat called the Danniel Adamson. It was getting some TLC from enthusiastic volunteers who were painting and polishing. 'The Danny' as it is affectionately known is a 1903 steam powered canal tug, designed for towing strings of barges. Today she is under the care of a charity who run themed cruises along the Weaver and Manchester Ship Canal.

Continuing on and passing under Sutton Swing Bridge we were hit by the most gut wrenching stink. We pulled in at the moorings assuming it would go away but it persisted all evening 🤢 It smelled like rotting flesh or some strange kind of sewage. Will spotted a muck spreader but we don't know if it was coming from this or a farm or factory.

Vicky finished off her Dad's card and Will went to post it while she rested. He then sat on the stern with his fishing poles. Unfortunately Mr Whiskers has discovered that fish occasionally dangle from the end of these poles and that he likes to eat fish. It is now a battle for Will to safely remove his catch from the hook and return it before Whiskers gets his claws in 😪

The river flow had picked up a little after rain overnight and the water was clear for a good way down so Will got his homemade rope ladder and went for a cooling swim. Feeling summery, he then got the bbq and made some pittas to go with the vegetable skewers, passing food in to a tired Vicky through the side hatch.

The smell had gone from the boat when we woke the next morning. Will took the bike to get some shopping but encountered the foul aroma again when he crossed the swing bridge. Concluding that the wind might well change back, we moved on before lunch. It's a shame because otherwise it was a nice mooring within decent distance of shops.Read more