Set off at 0900 down the easy to Operate Tyrley Flight of 5 locks. Half way down I had High Water Temperature alarm sound. A quick stop was called for while I topped up the radiator and repaired a minor leak on one of the radiator hoses. The work seemed to do the trick and we were on the way again in 15 minutes. We didnt stop at Market Drayton Wharf in this direction but continued on into Betton Cutting There is supposed to be a ghost that haunts this section "having no language but a cry" we didnt see a ghost but did see a sunken boat. Was the driver "spooked" by the ghost causing him to crash!
Yet another 5 locks at Alderley and we entered Cheshire. Bought a lemon Drizzle cake at the little stall at the top lock. Very nice with afternoon tea!
15 locks at Audlem appeared daunting on the map but on this bitterly cold day doing the locks was one way to keep warm. Joanne set the lock ahead of the boat and I drained it and opened the gates to let the boat out. A number of working boats were coming the other way following a show in Ellesemere Port.
Towards the bottom near the "Shroppie Fly" public house we came to a stand as a working boat was unloading many bags of coal for the lock keeper there. We couldn't get past so Joanne went ahead to see what was what. The rather muscular woman on the boat said "Sorry your husband cant get the boat past" Joanne said "Thats alright make 'im wait"
At the bottom we passed a small hut selling sausages and chicken called "Georges Pork and Poultry" Inspired, Joanne went into the kitchen and made us welcome bacon sandwiches! the final two locks at Hack Green were passed without problem making today's tally 27 locks. With the exception of the one odd lock these Shropshire Union locks have been very easy. Unlike other locks on the system have their balance beams painted a distinctive grey colour.
We are now in Cheshire. Passed the site of a disused station with the rather odd, but quite contempory, name of Coole Pilot Halt. odd also to think that my dad used to travel this way in jst after the Great War when travelling from Stourbridge (Brettell Lane) to his mothers family in Manchester. Even colder from the bottom of Hack Green locks as the wind whistles over the Cheshire plain.
Pleased to moor up at 1645 in Nantwich on the embankment high above the roofs of the adjacent houses. Walked into nantwich on this Easter bank holiday Monday but not many places open so its Fish and Chips taken back to the boat for tea.
14 Miles and 27 Locks
At the bottom we passed a small hut selling sausages and chicken called "Georges Pork and Poultry" Inspired, Joanne went into the kitchen and made us welcome bacon sandwiches! the final two locks at Hack Green were passed without problem making today's tally 27 locks. With the exception of the one odd lock these Shropshire Union locks have been very easy. Unlike other locks on the system have their balance beams painted a distinctive grey colour.
We are now in Cheshire. Passed the site of a disused station with the rather odd, but quite contempory, name of Coole Pilot Halt. odd also to think that my dad used to travel this way in jst after the Great War when travelling from Stourbridge (Brettell Lane) to his mothers family in Manchester. Even colder from the bottom of Hack Green locks as the wind whistles over the Cheshire plain.
Pleased to moor up at 1645 in Nantwich on the embankment high above the roofs of the adjacent houses. Walked into nantwich on this Easter bank holiday Monday but not many places open so its Fish and Chips taken back to the boat for tea.
14 Miles and 27 Locks
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