We stopped at the services to get water. Unfortunately the screwed connector on the water pedestal was missing and we had to make do with a push fit. This kept blowing off and only when Sam found an old jubilee clip could we get a satisfactory fill. Our friends were waiting near the lift holding moorings and as soon as the previous boats had gone down we waited there to wait for our "safety inspection". Really just a few straightforward instructions. 
At the appointed hour we were called in to the caisson, first the aqueduct conecting to the lift itself. Doors were lowered behind, then opened in front and we moved gingerly into the caisson itself. More heavy door lowered behind us and after a further wait, we started the descent, jerkily at first, then smooth towards the halfway mark when we crossed with the opposite lift going up with the trip boat. at the bottom another wait while levels were equalised, I suppose and then out onto the Weaver. 
Turning left we motored on to Northwich and found moorings on the abandoned trip boat wharf. Apparently, due to Health & Safety concerns it is no longer allowed to go under the swing bridge, so I am told. A quick visit to shops and a cafe lunch followed. Then we returned to continue up river to Vale Royal where our friends were waiting. Only a few minutes wait for Hunts Lock. The locks are all operated for us, so no effort required. The lock keepers explained that we would have to wait for the next lock until 3:15 because they were having to use the big lock of the pair and it takes a lot of water, so ockings are restricted. In phoning our progress ahead, we were then informed that if we were quick the lock would be waiting for us. So we were! The huge lock gates are operated by a water turbine driving a capstan with chains attached to the gates. We were the only boat - in fact the last that day - and on meeting our friends we learned that we were infact the only three boats on this reach. Lovely mooring, warm sunshine and lots of chatter. The top picture shows us approaching the lift at the uper level and the lower, emerging.
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