Initially we thought that we were in for a damp and somewhat dismal day but the early cloudy skies gradually cleared. As Mike walked back to Moore Village Shop, the sun through a small gap was catching the cooling towers of Fiddlers Ferry Power Station on the opposite bank of the River Mersey.
There was just the single copy of our paper - OK for us but anyone else on the same mission will be disappointed today! Hope it wasn't someone'a regular order.
Outside the shop there was this sign. Hoping that it might refer to some special variety of Cheaire Cheese, Mike asked what the sign meant. The cheerful lady in the shop said that it announced the arrival of the first local early potatoes. She said that as very little happens in Moore, we have to make something exciting of what we can - even new potatoes!
Mike walked a little further along the road and down a side turning, just to see what there was. Not a lot as it happens except that he could see a little closer a development site close to thew railway. We could see part of it from the canal and last night had wondered if it was some sort of outdoor race circuit for bikes, pedal or powered. There was no indication of what was being built at the lorry entrance to the site so in the end we are no wiser!
In the village the former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel has been converted into three homes - The Old Chapel, the Old School House and The Minister's House. The church was thriving at the start of the 20th century but gradually lost its congregation in the years to follow.
By the time we set off mid morning the sun was frequently shining and blue sky was much in evidence. We thought that it might remain rather cool but quickly the temperature rose.
The section through Walton Village is somewhat enclosed by trees and shrubs - most of the Bridgewater is more open. The wild rhododendrons, which we have noticed on previous passages this way, were in full bloom.
We passed under the road bridge at Stockton Heath but when Christine enquired from the crew of a boat that just returned to base about where she might buy some milk, we quickly looked for a mooring and backed up a short distance.
Whilst she walked down to the shops - not really very extensive but enough for today - Mike made more progress with the paintwork. As it is about patching up small chips and places where the paint has lifted (same issue as with the hull?) it takes time and at times a bit frustrating. Still, we are getting there.
Taking a break from brushes, Mike walked back under the bridge to take a look at Thorne Marine. They do several things here including a newish small fleet of hire boats. They are noted for their small but incredibly well stocked chandlery with all sorts of items that, unless they are just the item you are looking for, can seem wholly baffling! However, Mike spotted that they have the handcuff padlock keys - one of ours we recently discovered had lost the t-bar which makes it unusable. So he bought a replacement and then proceeded to make a hole in the handle so that it can fit on a keyring.
Time then for lunch and afterwards we moved on in search of a quiet overnight mooring spot. We pulled in just after Grappenhall. When we put the pins in it seemed just right but then Christine checked on the opening of Dunham Massey, a National Trust property a little further along the canal which she would like to visit. Alas, our plan to move up there slowly tomorrow and visit on Thursday was thwarted as they are closed on Thursdays and Fridays! In the end, as Mike wanted to do some more painting, we stayed put but will have to make a prompter start tomorrow, especially as we want to pick up a newspaper as we pass through Lymm.
4.8 Miles - 0 Locks
No comments:
Post a Comment