Market Drayton

We drove up from Cornwall yesterday - we had a service in the cathedral at which one of the choirs Mike belongs to was singing - setting off from Truro just before 1 o'clock. We made very good time up the motorway and even felt we could stop for a drink at Strensham. Andrew, who was joining us for this trip, was ahead of us by now and arrived at Nantwich just in time to collect the keys from the office - as well as our invoice for work to the main hatch lining.

By the time we arrived - just after 6 o'clock - there was only enough time to unload before it became dark. In any case, we had to wait until the morning to pay our bill! Fortunately we had brought a cottage pie with us so meal preparation was nil!

This morning we moved the boat down to the end of the basin where we planned to fill up with diesel. there was no one there to serve us but Christine, who had gone to the chandlery office to pay up, discovered that they have a very new diesel point on the main line. By now, there was a delay which they located the person to serve us - turned out that he was in the dock and then was assigned to setting off a hire day boat.

Leaving Nantwich Basin

Meanwhile we took the boat around to the water point - not so easy as it involved an almost 360 hairpin bend at the junction with the main line - only to see another boat just cast off from an overnight mooring and occupying the water point. Since he claimed that he was going to be there for at least 40 minutes we decided to pick up water later on. This almost always a bad decision! However, we eventually filled up with fuel and were on our way.

Wood Sculpture

We spotted a number of wood sculptures along the next stretch, the largest was this horse next to the basin entrance.

Nantwich Aqueduct

The weather was sadly a change from the warm bight sunshine of yesterday: very overcast and occasionally light rain. The wind was blowing and so a bit chilly - definitely autumn is arriving fast.
Immediately ahead was Nantwich Embankment including the substantial aqueduct over the main road.

We did think about making a visit to the Secret Bunker, a relic of the Cold War, but decided that it was rather expensive at £7.50 and only a minuscule discount for concessions! May be another trip . . . (we said that last time was came by!)

Hack Green Lower Lock

There were quite a few boats on the move and by the time we arrived at Hack Green locks we were third in line. However, these locks can be quick to operate although some folks do take an age. At least it gives a chance to chat to other boaters - one of those ahead of us used to live in Redruth.
At the upper lock were former stables - probably a reminder that fast fly boats used to operate this stretch.They achieved their speed by, as well as having priority, changing horses very frequently.

Hack Green Top Lock Stables

Christine was now into soup making mode, happily using a quantity of tomatoes that Andrew had bought from Devizes Market on Thursday but some of which had been squashed in transit, along with a number of peppers from a large job lot. This made a very tasty superior soup.

Former Railway Bridge

One remaining railway line crosses the canal south of Nantwich but several other bridge holes are a reminder of how complex the rail network once was at its peak.

River Weaver

We thought about joining the queue at the next lock and having lunch then but when we arrived the boats that had been ahead of us had either turned into Overwater Marina or also stopped for lunch by the towpath. This meant we too could stop just a short distance from Audlem Bottom Lock, close to a small aqueduct that overlooks the infant River Weaver.

Audlem Lass

Several times we saw the tiny Audlem Lass that operates a half hourly service between Audlem Bottom Lock and Overwater Marina. Sadly on none of these occasions did we see any passengers!
Refreshed by posh soup and sandwiches we tackled the fifteen locks of the Audlem flight.

Audlem Mill Wharf

The first half were set for us by a boat coming down. However, with three of us it was possible to work to a routine with one of us setting the locks. Apart from any delays from boats coming the other way we managed between 6 and 7 minutes a lock, including transit between them. Not bad going! Our only problem was that the water point below Lock 13 was occupied but by the time we had gone up through the lock to the water point above we discovered that it was out of action!

 

Our provisional trip plan suggested stopping somewhere between Audlem and Adderley flights but Andrew was keen to continue since we were making such good speed. Indeed, we polished off the five Adderley locks in little over half an hour.

Adderley Top Lock

Bridge 77 is a turnover bridge. Although it was a late design, with inclined ramps each side, it is not quite as advanced as those on the Macclesfield where the ramp on one side curls around and underneath so that a horse drawn boat can pass through without having to detach the towing rope.

Turnover Bridge

It was now definitely time to look for a mooring and we pulled in a couple of bridges after Adderley. As we started to prepare the evening meal we checked the water tank - the sight tube is not the easiest to use - and reluctantly concluded that we were perilously close to running on empty. A decision was made to move on to Market Drayton where there is the next water point although that is just under an hour away.

Former Warehouse opposite water point

It was still light when we reached the water points (2) and we began the task of filling an almost empty tank. Andrew checked out the visitor moorings signposted just ahead but he reported that they were full for some distance and, in any case, would not permit the use of the TV. So, once we had completed the water stop we reversed a short distance to the main moorings which, in any case, were rather better and did allow TV and mobile connections.

12.8 miles - 22 locks