Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire     In June we took the Anderton Boat Lift that allows boats to pass between the Trent & Mersey canal and the River Weaver. The lift was built between 1872 - 75 and was mainly used to get cargoes of salt around the system from the Northwich area. We also learnt that Wich means salt so that cleared up all the town names - Middlewich, Nantwich etc. The lift was a really great experience and is classed as one of the 7 Wonders of the canal system.           This is us moored up outside the visitor centre waiting to go down in the lift, the Skipper is obviously feeling the pressure to look professional.   This is the view crossing the aqueduct to the lift.             When we had reached the lift caisson (our boat bucket) the doors close off the water behind you.   This is us entering the caisson with the boat we shared the lift with. You have to enter the caisson side by side and stop at the same time, a bit tricky.             You have to moor up side by side and you can see us sporting our new courgettes, these cause more questions from passers by than anything else!   There are no hand rails or guards so you can see the other gates for the second lift over the side.             As one caisson goes down the other comes up, this is the two passing.   The caissons are lifted by huge hydraulic rams, this is one under the up lift.             We made it down safely and out of the lift to join the Weaver.   The view back to the lift structure was very impressive.             Photos can't show the scale but it is certainly a great engineering feat.   The skipper had enjoyed the trip and was pleased to get back onto a wider river, so opened up to our full 6 m.p.h.               We enjoyed the trip back up just as much, this is us entering at the bottom this time.