Wimboldsey

Today's canals - Llangollen, Shropshire Union Main Line, Middlewich Branch

Although the forecast for today included plenty of sunshine, it did also suggest fairly cool temperatures. For the most part this was accurate.

When we arrived at this mooring we were on our own but, as today's photo shows, a couple of others joined us later.

The landscape in the early morning sunshine was most attractive.

We had about 10 minutes cruise to the Hurleston locks. Just above the locks is the weir where the water from the canal runs into the Hurleston Reservoir. The strong flow along the Llangollen Canal is juts for this reason - a supply of fresh water from the River Dee, around 55 million litres per day. Indeed, the navigation itself is dependent on the Dee. The adjoining water treatment works then supplies Crewe and Nantwich with drinking water.

We had to wait for one boat already making the top lock ready to descend. However, by the time we started on the top lock there was a steady stream of boats coming the other way and a somewhat fraught queue at the bottom - waiting an organised line is not as easy here as at other places.

A couple of lock keepers were on hand to help - one had already largely refilled the lowest flight pound which he had found almost empty. We were not sure how this might have happened as a couple of boats passed us, presumably having already come up. Despite clear signs, boats still attempt to come through with their fenders down. Although the bottom lock has recently been re-built and no longer presents the problem it notoriously had for a long time. What is not always realised is that the next lock also has a problem. No-one was worried about this before as, if they were over-sized, they never made it that far!

Doing a docey-do in each pound helped us through speedily and we then arrived  at the junction whw2re we turned left towards Barbridge. 

Shortly before the junction we spotted Emily Anne a well known and well loved steam powered boat that we have seen previously moored at one of  marinas at Anderton. It is also known for being owned by the founder of Canal World Forums, one of our frequent sources of information (and gossip!) about the canals and boaters.

A little before the turn onto the Middlewich Branch at Barbridge we caught up with a boat that travelling very slowly. So slow that for much of the time we had to drop out of gear and rarely made it above tick over. The more popular view of the junction b ridge is from the main line but, just as a change, here it is looking back towards the junction from the branch.

The fuel boat Bargus was topping up a customer shortly before the first lock on the branch. Alas, we filled right up before leaving the marina. This boat operates along with Halsall and both have great reputations for keeping many liveaboards supplied with fuel. The can be contacted by phone or via Facebook so rendezvous and orders can be organised in advance.

We asked if they were needing to make progress - we would have let them overtake us at the lock -but they were pausing at Venetian Marina for a drink and a virtual 'management' meeting(!) and so quite happy to take their turn.

No queues at Minshull Lock - in the past we have had to wait well over an hour here. The lock cottage has good views along the canal and the keepers of the past would be expected to keep a lookout so, if possible, have the lock set ready as a boat arrived.

Just after Aqueduct Marina we stopped on a visitor mooring for lunch. The morning sunshine gave way to clouds but soon after we set off once more we were back to pleasant sun again.

The former warehouse and cottage at Minshull is said to have been built by Thomas Telford around 1830. It is now a splendid private residence.

Boaters coming out of Middlewich warned that it is very congested there in advance of the Boat and Folk festival to be held over the next weekend. We made no attempt to get that far and risk not finding any room to moor - the visitor mooring at Wimboldsey is quiet, apart from the occasional muted sound of trains on the main line a couple of fields away. At times there is a good view of Top Flash but today the trees have grown so many leaves that we could only glimpse through. At least there is a reasonable phone signal here.

9.6 Miles - 6 Locks