The sky this morning as we awoke was very different from yesterday with brilliant blue all around. A chilly breeze did not detract and everyone was clearly feeling much better as a result!
We only had a short distance to go to the first lock at Cholmondeston. Since at least two boats had recently passed us we were expecting the queues which frequently build up at all four locks on the Middlewich Branch.
There were waiting boats above and below and so it was getting on for an hour before we ourselves could make progress.
Below the lock was Venetian Marina, of two large ones on this short branch, the other is later at the Aqueduct (over the infant River Weaver).
By the time we arrived at Minshull Lock the traffic had balanced out and from here onwards we did not have to wait. All of the locks here are on the deep side, around 11 feet rise/fall.
Cruising this morning was very pleasant with open landscapes on either side.
This house at the bridge closest to Church Minshull used to be Minshullhill Wharf and has unusually rather decorative elevation.
A little further on are a couple of buildings that used to provide fresh horses for the fast, fly boats. According to Tony Lewery, writing in 2009, this was a relatively late development, opening in the 1890's, right at the peak of the technological evolution of horse powered transport. stables were substantial and well maintained with a permanent ostler living in the cottage just beyond. The operation survived until the last World War, after which commercial canal transport generally went into decline.
We paused for lunch at the moorings which overlook Top Flash, part of the River Weaver. The difference in height at this stage is noticeable and a number of locks take the level most of the way down but the last part is via the famous Anderton Lift.
Since late morning we had been under the final approach flight path for aircraft heading into Manchester Airport around 15 miles away.
Shortly after we set off after lunch we saw in an adjoining field a much smaller competitor - a remote controlled helicopter (not the infamous drones that have plagues several airports recently and, in any case, outside the exclusion zone!) If, dear reader, you examine the above photo very carefully you will see a tiny dot in the middle and will have to take our word for what it was!
After passing through Stanthorne Lock we could see the extensive work that had to be done last year to repair the huge breach that kept this important link canal closed for many months, much to the frustration of the many boaters that use it to connect between the Trent and Mersey and the Shropshire Union.
Even so, most of the work is now out of sight, below the water or down the bank. The canal at this point is on an embankment over a small brook, the River Dane, that flows underneath.
Where did the little one at the back come from?
Finally, on this branch, we descended Wardle Lock (technically on the Wardle Canal which is but a few metres in length!) It was good to see that the lock cottage, famously where Maureen, a former commercial boater, lived and who kept a close eye on the proper operation of 'her' lock. After she died it took some while before planned work on the cottage was complete - it was still on-going when we last came this way in 2017.
We then turned left onto thw Trent and Mersey Canal. Just after the junction we passed the base of the former Middlewich Narrowboats which closed down around 18 months ago. Alas, their slogan the fastest way to slow down, came to be all too true.
We then had the Middlewich Three Locks to descend, with the well known sharp bend after the first. The pound between that and the next lock also very short so quite a challenge for new boaters setting off from the hire base just below the flight.
Quite recently a sculpture has been installed that incorporates seats for passing walkers. the carvings on the wooden uprights appear to be inspired by various features of the Trent and Mersey Canal and the places it passes through. Just before this photo was taken, it was in use as intended!
We just managed to find a mooring spot closer to the park ahead, alongside the closest access to Morrisons. After sorting out a shopping list we set off and returned a little later with three full bags to restock our larder!
9.4 Miles - 7 Locks
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