Thursday, October 25, 2007

Today has been grey and cloudy, but still dry, and quite mild. We set off towards Middlewich at around 10:00, and had a pleasant run to the town.

Saw this Peregrin near bridge 179 (that spot, just left of centre. I’ll have to get a camera with a decent optical zoom…Hmm - Christmas is coming.....)
The wreck near Croxteth “Just gets worse and worse”.
Boat traffic increased as we neared the town, making going up the locks easy with boats coming the other way.

We turned onto the Middlewich Branch, the first few yards of which is the Wardle Canal, arguably the shortest in the country.

Middlewich Branch
Up Wardle lock, and moored so I could make a visit to Kings Lock Chandlery, then made the decision not to stop on the moorings in the town, so pressed on, up through Stanthorne Lock and moored for the night shortly after.

Waiting for Stanthorne Lock
Both the locks we passed on the Branch had queues of several boats waiting to come down, most of which were hire craft returning to base. Quite a mixture; Black Prince, Anderson and Middlewich boats, Anderton Marina, Anglo Welsh, Wrenbury Mill and Claymore from Preston Brook. No Viking Afloat, though. No doubt we’ll see some of those on the Shroppie.

Had Toad in the Hole for tea. Mags’ yorkshire pud rose so much it looked like Snowdon! (the mountain, not the Lord)
Tasted good, though.
Locks 6, miles 6.

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