Heading South.

We are not sure that this is a wise move. We have really enjoyed our time in the Northwest and Wales, but it is time now for pastures new.

The drought has finally broken here, with some heavy overnight downpours. This will not do the river levels any harm and as the canal system hereabouts sources it's water from the River Dee, should maintain them as well.

But, further south?

Due to the stoppages, particularly the Middlewich breach, our only option is to repeat our journey, navigating the Shropshire Union canal  once again. No hardship, apart from the interminable Golden Nook moorings! Over half an hour passing these extensive linear moorings becomes a tad wearisome at just over tick over. Then a farewell to Beeston castle and up the broad locks. A tad tricky these ascending alone.

Lots of buzzards in these parts

We did share a lock with a duck, she stayed in and had a ride up, not sure if its the same one that was in the previous lock whilst we emptied it and then came paddling out when the gate was opened.

We decided to stop just above Tilstone lock. A very pretty setting, with wooded slopes and the river Gowy just below us. There was ner a breath of wind, but the sky was brooding. A good spot for kingfisher spotting though, we saw several darting below the trees, too quick to photograph though. From previous trips, we noted that the invasive Giant Hogweed is common in the upper Gowy valley, its course isolated from normal footfall. Awful stuff if skin comes into contact with it, but it has a structural beauty none the less. The picture shows the invader, with its harmless native cousin in the foreground.

We were not far below the last of the broad locks for us for a while. This is Bunbury staircase. Below this sits the Anglo Welsh hire base. The hirers almost exclusively head for the Llangollen and who can blame them, but they miss out on a beautiful stretch of canal towards Chester and the city itself. (Barring Golden Nook!)

After something of a dearth of service points in Chester, we are heading now for the land of plenty. So, washer on before we untied, then a second load after the staircase.  Once again, we were assisted by a volocky, so an easy passage up.

At Calvaley,  we replenished the water and disposed of the waste, then on towards Nantwich. I must admit, the tiller twitched at Hurleston junction, but we have spent a goodly time on the Llangollen already. Tempted though! But onwards went we.

Richard & Ruth heading for the Junction , sorry to have missed you guys, next time!

We managed to stop on the 24 hour moorings near the iconic wooden horse near Nantwich basin entrance. This was so we could make use of the tumble dryers situated in the launderrette in the basin. Whilst this was tumbling, coffee and cake in the adjacent cafe filled the bill nicely, the back to the boat and off.

Saw N.B Annie (Dave & Ange) moored on the embankment, but no sign of life aboard. Enjoy the Golly both, pity to have missed you.

We really wanted to get to Audlem, but the clouds were rolling in. Up two narrow locks. Should we chance a soaking or let discretion dictate?  The deciding factor was the lack of boats on the normally popular Cool Pilate moorings. Loads of space, so we moored up. Sods law meant it stayed dry !

Perhaps being Friday 13th?
Triskaideka day...

At least Ali got to watch the fantastic Anderson v Isner  marathon semi final at Wimbledon, and the other semi, Djokovic v Nadal, to the end of play for the day.

Saturday dawned bright, not that we actually saw the dawn, but you know what I mean. Others had moved on before us, leaving us virtually alone on the moorings, unheard of at this location.

Initially, our immediate plan was to ascend all of the locks in the Audlem flight, 15 of them. Being narrow locks, they are not too difficult, but it does become a little tedious and repetitive after a time. It was getting hot when we arrived at the bottom of the flight. One boat was just exiting the flight on our arrival and they said they had not seen another boat descending thirteen of the locks from their overnight mooring.

So off we went, up two locks then debated whether to stop below or above the third lock for water and to empty the waste. All quiet, so we opted to go up. Sods law, a boat appeared whilst we ascended the lock and slotted into the service bay otside the Shroppy Fly pub. So we emptied whilst sitting in the lock as tother boat was on the only water point. No problem though, as we only wanted to top up and there are plenty of points ahead.

I would think the next ten locks were in our favour, so we made good time. We then met two  boats descending. Now we really wanted to watch the Wimbledon semi final between Djokovic & Nadal. This was on at 1300. We had time to move to the bottom of the Adderley lock flight, moor up, tune in and prepare lunch all for 1255!

Great match, could have gone either way.

It was nearly 1600 when we pulled the pins and began the flight. Only five locks and we saw not a soul. A beautiful late afternoon, seemed a shame not to enjoy it, so we carried on. It remains eerily quiet boat wise. We passed straight through Market Drayton, not a Shropshire jewel for us, then we reached the very picturesque Tyrley flight, hewn out of the bedrock. Only another five locks!

Up we went,  somewhat more slowly now, but again without seeing another boat . Probably because of the lack of lock use, the byewashes were fierce, throwing the boat as you approached the lock mouth. At the top,  we used the slowest tap on the system to top up. So slow that a hire boat appeared behind us!

The final leg for the day was passage through Woodseaves cutting. The canal is cut into a hill, with steep wooded slopes. The offside is somewhat overgrown, giving the impression that it's only wide enough for one boat. Two can pass, but the one North bound would be in the foliage. We saw ner a boat though and arriving at Cheswardine bridge, we slotted into one of the last mooring spaces. It was nearly 2000hrs by then and after eleven miles and 25 locks in the day, we were ready to rest.

Total 34 miles, 41 locks, 15 miles of narrow canals, 19 miles broad canals, 27 narrow locks, 14 broad locks