We awoke to a wonderful morning.
Cruising on a calm, untroubled canal with a clear sky and a mixture of quite warm in the sun and somewhat chilly in the shade - what else could we ask for?
Just as we were setting off a large flock of geese flew noisily over head, collecting other, small groups as it went. A little later as we passed Croxton Flash, we wondered if this is where they meet up before taking off.
We crossed Croxton Aqueduct. This was originally build wide to accommodate the craft of 9 ft beam that were originally able to trade from Preston Brook to above Big Lock in Middlewich. However when the aqueduct had to be rebuilt in 1937, this was considered no longer necessary and so was reduced in size, no doubt to save costs.
At Big Lock we stopped to fill with water as Christine had just completed a load of washing. This is not the fastest of taps but eventually we were full. The footbridge below the lock, which seems to be popular with local walkers, was recently rebuilt after it became unsafe.
As we arrived at the next lock, two boats carrying a stag party were just leaving the adjacent hire base so we had quite a wait as they were inducted into the arcane art of lock operation! Eventually we were able to proceed up the three Middlewich locks to Wardle Junction. As we turned right onto the Wardle Canal (all 47 metres of it) we had to wait for a boat coming down.
We continued along the Middlewich branch towards Stanthorne Lock. We had hoped that, by now, the two 'stag' boats would have made it through but alas the first was only just coming to terms with setting the lock! Time for Christine to go and lend a hand.
It was still very sunny as, just above the lock, we found a good mooring spot for lunch.
We continued promptly as we wanted to get above Minshull Lock today to give us a simple run to Hurleston in the morning. We need the afternoon to prepare for our return home on Monday - just for a short visit.
By now some dramatically black clouds were arriving. Although we could see rain in the distance we do not experience any as a direct hit!
Again there was a queue at Church Minshull Lock - but not the same two boats as before, they had already pulled up for the only pub along the whole of this canal. Since they have to get back to Middlewich by the end of tomorrow and there is about an hour and a quarter's run to the next winding hole, let's hope that they do not too bad a hangover! (News Flash: They passed us around six so much have worked out their schedule!)
The boat ahead of us in the queue had a couple out for three weeks from Autherley Junction. They had already come up the Shroppie and all he ay to Llangollen and planned to return via the Trent and Mersey. They had reached Middlewich, turned right and went into the next lock. They then found that the top paddles were padlocked with no notice to explain. They soon discovered that the T & M has been shut again through lack of water. This left them no choice but to return the way they had come. They seemed remarkably laid back about it!
Another boat arrived to come down so we helped them through before it was our turn. They too had had their plans thwarted by the closure but at least they knew about it before they set off from the nearby Aqueduct Marina.
We moored up at the first opportunity above the lock.
10.1 Miles - 7 Locks
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