We do not have challenging targets for today and tomorrow - we are now booked in at Aqueduct Marina to leave the boat there whilst we make a trip back home. As a result we can hake things at a much more leisurely pace and the weather today helped. Although there were a couple of light showers they did not amount to much and quite frequently we had good sunshine.
Almost as soon as we cast off, Mike could see a boat coming the other way at the next bridgehole, with boats moored either side of the canal. Rather than push our luck, he reserved back, not far from where we had started! By the time we reached the next bridge, closer to Anderton Marina, a hire boat had just set off but this time we were much close to the bridge than they were. Reversing round a sharp bend would not have been a bright idea anyway.
Next came the service block and both water taps were already occupied, leaving a space not quite large enough for us in between. We also knew that there had been problems with the sewage systems on this site so a Closed notice was not a surprise. Hence all that we could do was come as close as possible and dispose of rubbish.
However, a CaRT person arrived to check the toilets and elsan and told us all that they were now OK and left them unlocked. However he did still leave some of the Closed notices, despite removing some! By the time we had done the disposals, the other two boats had finished and moved off so in the end we opted to fill the water tank here anyway!
Time then to set off along the level pound to Middlewich.
New pipework being built across the canal at the Tata chemical works.
We have remarked on this development twice already in previous weeks this year but this time managed to catch all of the detail on the hoarding - looking up the web site the developer is unusual in that it uses crowd funding for its developments. Invest in this set of houses for a return of around 10% - but no investment protection!
We stopped for lunch at Bramble Cuttings - surprisingly no other boats were moored there. Before leaving Mike started to look at some of the patches of external paint that will need some work.
Mid afternoon we set off again and arrived at Big Lock where a boat going up saw us coming but decided to close the gates on us! Obviously not heard about water saving . . .
We pulled on to the park moorings just above the lock so that Mike could pop to the nearby Tesco Express for four items.
On again, up the three locks (first narrow locks for several weeks!) and we turned right at Wardle Junction, onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union (pedantically the first few metres re the Wardle Canal!)
Up through the lock with no delay - again to our surprise there was no queue in either direction.
Just before the next lock we moored up for the night. All of the new mooring rings provided as part of the breach repair were occupied - some of the boats looked as if they were taking advantage of them having no specific time restriction - those closer to to the town all have a 48 hour limit. (Actually, all but one left the next day - never should make assumptions!)
11.1 Miles - 5 Locks
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