We had a date at 1:30 at Nantwich to have new fenders fitted so we made a prompt start - just after 8 am. The first lock - Tilstone - proved difficult as the top gate refused to shut after the boat had exited. Even with three people it refused to shift until given a little help with a rope and a boat!
Just before we arrived at the Bunbury Staircase we realised that Mike had left his lock key at the previous lock in all the effort to close the gate. Not wanting to lose it (it is a good lightweight one) Mike set off back wondering if it would still be there. No immediate sign but the boat going down (who had also had problems with the top gate) had still not left. They admitted to having picked up the lock key and returned it - with everyone signing up to the deal that they were just looking after it for us!
We called at Calverley Services before continuing down to Nantwich basin arriving early around 1 o'clock. After we had agreed with the boatyard staff what to do, Mike walked into the town for a little shopping whilst Andrew - having driven up from South Wales - walked down from his chosen parking spot at Barbridge Junction.
Just as Mike arrived at Morrisons, there was a very heavy downpour - the car park was soon flooded and torrential streams drained out onto the nearby road.
Back at the boatyard, work was underway on fitting both stem and stern fenders. Somehow the promised one hour job was not completed until 5pm - clocking off time! The staff who did the fitting were very keen to make a good job of it and that it should look aesthetically right!
Back up to Barbridge Junction to moor for the night and to prepare for the handover in the morning.
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