This walk allowed Chris and I to explore the peaceful countryside along the terraces above the River Weaver and beside the river itself. There were good views up to the sandstone ridge on one side and the Pennines on the other. Very wet in some places, we encountered a herd of Long-horn cattle while making our way through a particularly muddy patch.
Chris liked the way their horns were on upside down! She was also pleased they watched rather than come closer to see why we were behaving in such an odd way.
The next encounter was that of monkeys!
Someone was having a laugh! The 'monkey puzzle tree' had many residents like the one in the image above.
As the valley was approached, the massive Dutton Viaduct came in sight and trains were seen crossing it every few minutes.
We walked past the lock before...
...the chance to admire the scale of the viaduct as the path passed directly under it. Following a brief encounter with human habitation, the route passes through the most remote part of the lower Weaver Valley.
Apparently, the River Weaver was a working river thirty years ago, with 1,000-ton coasters plying between Liverpool and the former ICI works at Winnington and Wallerscote near Northwich. Salt came by river from the works at Winsford to be transshipped at Liverpool to West Africa and other deep-water destinations. Canalisation of the Weaver in the early 18th Century reduced transport costs and thus enabled Cheshire salt to dominate the UK market for this essential commodity. Further information on Dutton Locks and the Weaver as a working river can be found at www.duttonlocks.co.uk.
Blogged with Flock
No comments:
Post a Comment