Middlewich -> Nantwich Basin 18/7/2019

Engine hours start: 523.7 end: 530.4 = 6.7 hours

Miles:11.5 Locks:3  Lock miles: 14.5

Off at 09:30. Generally fine, though now always convinced it would remain so. Queues for locks the main feature of the day.

Paused for lunch and water pump window shopping at Aqueduct Marina. A wide variety of skippers encountered , included the Novice Snail for the couple of miles. Everyone starts somewhere, I guess. 

The following day, we used the launderette at the Basin - very impressed - in order to have some clean clothes for a family gathering in Gloucester at the weekend.

On the way to Gloucester, stopped at Midland Chandlers at Penkridge to get a new water pump and accumulator tank. Managed to accidently pick up two accumulator tanks (but only paid for one). The following week Andrew stopped off to return the surplus one and the chap was so impressed that he gave us a 10% discount voucher!

Wheelock -> Middlewich 17/7/2019

Engine hours start: 519.2 end: 523.7 = 4.5 hours

Miles:6 Locks:6  Lock miles: 12


Light overcast, could easily burn off and scorch - or not. Wheelock services an absolute anthill of activity as we left. Alison's bee-sting still a little swollen, found some witch hazel cream which should help. Hot rather than painful, a little itchy as it heals.

An enjoyable day's cruising with little traffic the other way but plenty all going the same way which made for queues at locks - so Andrew did the equivalent of at least 10 locks helping  and being helped by overlapping crews. Barbara of Take Too was particularly helpful. Lock landings inadequate all the way so lots of fannying around mid-stream while waiting.

 

At the Kings Lock turn there was a Black Prince boat with no idea of how to turn into the Wardle canal so Alison grabbed their nose rope and got them round with a judicious push and pull. Andrew then tutored them through the lock and stayed back to work Barbara and Bob up the lock while Alison pottered along - stopped just beyond bridge 28 on the edge of town. Andrew then walked back for some water pump market research - came back with cake!

Rain then set in so settled down for some good ol' home cooking, beer and DVD.

Rode Heath -> Wheelock 16/7/2019

Engine hours start: 514.8 end: 519.2 = 4.6 hours

Miles:4 Locks:14  Lock miles: 18

Rain overnight swiftly cleared to give a lovely warm day. Alison's turn to do locks. A boat pulled out as Alison walking down to the first lock and another closed up as we were queuing - then we closed up on a single-handler and before long we were in a convoy.

Approach Hassall's Green Alison dropped the long throw windlass in the lock - the following boat went by in the other lock while we went magnet-fishing. Success!

Then a couple of locks further on, a bee managed to get stuck in Alison's sandal and sting the side of her big toe. Soaked the place with vinegar and Andrew got the sting out with a multi-tool so very little damage done. However Andrew very kindly said we should swap so he worked the last three locks into Wheelock where we found a lovely shaded mooring, handy for the service block and pub. The boat ahead were brilliant too, lifting a paddle as they left each lock so they were all but set as we arrived - fab.

Filled our bottles and Andrew got some more from the shop. Then did some hand washing to set us straight in underwear. Nearly Nicoise salad for lunch. Andrew revelled in hot shower - praise be to the services - and we had dinner and a lovely chat with Bob and Barabara  nb Take Too at the Cheshire Cheese - new owners, good menu, good value.

Macclesfield -> Rode Heath 15/5/2019

Engine hours start: 507.4 end: 514.8 = 7.5 hours

Miles:12 Locks:13  Lock miles: 25

A glorious evening at last yesterday and we woke to solid blue sky!

 

Final failure of water pump yesterday so early start and cracking on to Red Bull for a shower and shopping. 7 litres of bottled water on board so basics OK. 

Passed Congleton at 09:00: only place to moor is a 2 day stretch between bridges 75 and 76. Also very handy for railway station if further travel required. Possibly not overnight though - better by aqueduct / bridge 73.

Paused for shopping and lunch at Red Bull aqueduct where the Macclesfield crosses the Trent and Mersey. First, a short walk to Tesco then lunch : then Alison walked down to Red Bull services for a proper shower while Andrew single-handed down to the locks. In the event Alison was in time to close the gates of the first lock.

It being beautifully warm, Andrew then suggested doing the locks onwards (the next 11 as it turned out...).  Rewarded by a top mooring directly opposite the Broughton Arms.

 

Bollington Aqueduct -> The Cloud 14/7/2019

Engine hours start: 500.9 end: 507.4 = 6.5 hours

Miles:9.5 Locks:12 Swing bridges:2 Lock miles:23.5

Start: 08:35
End: 15:20

Overcast, cool and slight breeze. 30 mins to winding hold then back through Bollington Wharf for diesel and potty dump. Decided against shopping in Macclesfield. Filled with water at Bosley Flight (such a fast tap!) and dumped rubbish before Andrew faced the hill.

No lockies helping and not much traffic so many locks against us. Stopped in the country side with the Cloud for company. 

 

Moored at Bollington 12-13/7/2019

12/7/2019
Miles:0 Locks:0 Lock miles: 0

Breakfast at Canalside Cafe : huge!

After a period of digestion, jobs around the boat - Andrew water pump reconstruction and Alison pumping the bilge, and Andrew adjusting the squeaky alternator belt. 

Siesta then eating out again - Italian restaurant  - then to Bollington Folk Club for a jolly night's entertainment.

13/7/2019
Bollington Beer Festival. That is all....

 

Bridge 40 Macclefield -> Bollington Aqueduct 11/7/2019

Engine hours start: 498.5 end: 500.9 = 2.4 hours

Miles:12 Locks:0  Lock miles: 15

Aiming for 11am start but waited for 2 boats to go by which appeared just as we were casting off. Paused for Loo green at chandlery, admired mooring pontoons - and back into the countryside (or at least a green corridor at the back of housing). Paused at Bollington Wharf: no public facilities appear available. 2 day mooring.

Alison walked on ahead to scope out further options and reported back one space on the Bollington Aqueduct: then stood looking possessive along with two mooring pins which had been abandoned on the bank. Both boats that Andrew had been worried would claim the spot sailed obligingly past.

Bacon and egg pitta for lunch : siesta : 4pm tip to Co-op for supplies. Bollington very trendy and cute - admired the culvert for the river under the canal embankment (huge) - then explored up into the rest of town.

Spotted the White Nancy monument looking fairly close and Andrew decided we should climb up to it. Excellent path if steep. Essex girl Alison moaning the whole way but fab views from the top.

Impending thunderstorm so scurried off down through the woods - tempted by Bulls Head - but carried on and almost made it back before the deluge. Spot of Wainwright to restore the tissues and meal on board.

Lamas Bridge to Macclesfield 10/7/2019

Engine hours start: 493.9 end: 498.5 = 5.5 hours

Miles:6 Locks:12 Swing bridges: 2

Start 09:30 Lamas Bridge
End 13:40 Bridge 40, Macclesfield

Bosley flight a breeze due to aid from lockkeeper and a steady stream of oncoming boats leaving bottom gate open for us. Lock free motoring afterwards. 

Automatic swing bridge a pleasure to use. Alison panicked a bit at the next one - lift the great big handle berk - but also very distracted by day boat sideways on and totally blocking the canal. In the end they gave up trying to turn and came through the swing bridge to find somewhere else to turn. Andrew had to give them some coaching in the way of the BW key... Another boat came along so we left them to shepherd them onwards.

 

Nearly stopped out in the wilds having been told Macclesfield moorings were full early but Alison walked head and was able to bag the last space in a lovely quiet cutting above town.

Marched around town, couple of charity shops, a couple of drinkies then dinner at a Gurkha restaurant - delicious!

Rode Heath -> Lamas Bridge 9/7/2019

Engine hours start: 486.7 end: 93.9 = 7.2 hours

Miles:12 Locks:13  Lock miles:25

Rain overnight, greyer and cooler. A gentle start and Andrew's back seems a little improved. AJS no ill effects apart from a bit of stiffness around shoulder and lower back.

Decided that Andrew benefit from gentle exercise walking the towpath - and wound up doing the locks (carefully) as well. Once again some convenient boat crossings reduced the need for gate closing and opening.

 

Reached the junction of Macclesfield canal at 11am. Slow through very reedy section but foraged raspberries at the stop lock.

Sandwiches 12:30, a shower of rain at 13:30. Quite a lot of moored boats. Although housing quite close at times, mostly a very green and rural feeling stretch.

Rain set in for remainder of cruise.

Bridge 28, Middlewich -> Rode Heath 8/7/2019

Engine hours start: 479.6 end: 486.7 = 7.1 hours

Miles:9 Locks:20  Lock miles:29

 

Early start (07:30) First couple of hours pretty quiet, a bit more traffic come 09:30 when we were 6 locks done and ready for a coffee. Andrew's back went first thing - in pain all day.

Traffic not nearly as heavy as the weekend but a number of convenient crossings between locks. Weather mostly sunny but after lunch cloudier and a bit steamy.

Wonderful display from house martins diving around us - extraordinary aerobatics.

Got the very last spot on rings at Rode Heath so felt vindicated for our early start!

A read and siesta before meal at the Broughton Arms - excellent quality and value (except not a proper New York style baked cheesebake as advertised).

Back to boat 19:45 - Andrew's back really struggling...

Barbridge Inn -> Bridge 28, Middlewich 7/7/2019

Engine hours start: 474.8 end: 479.6 = 4.8 hours

Miles:9 Locks:3  Lock miles: 12

Sunnystart today, clouds bubbling up. Toasting in sunshine. Met a hotel boat pair at end of Barbridge moorings.

Through Cholmondeston lock by 11am and sun back out  - temperature rising beuatifully.

Sandwich lunch on the move, no faurther delay at locks and moored in outskirts of Middlewich just after 2pm for fiesta.

Important to use local businesses so down Kings Lock for a pint or 2 and coffee & walnut cake to go for pudding - a fine follow up to chicken wings and salad on board.

An early night with a long day scheduled tomorrow - aiming for Rode Heath to get well beyond the M6.

Nantwich Basin -> Barbridge Inn 6/7/2019

Engine hours start: 473.6 end: 474.8 = 1.2 hours

Miles:3.5 Locks:0  Lock miles: 3.5

Arrived Friday pm - To Ebenezers and Enzos for apero and dinner. Alison then back to boat and Andrew to Oddfellows. Andrew recovering from a cold and Alison starting one.

While at Ebenezers, reading a CAMRA magazine, we discovered a beer festival at Bollington on the Macclesfield canal next weekend - much more suitable to aim for than flogging over to Bugsworth.

Saturday morning lazing and listening to heavy rain. Sandwich lunch then shopping while car available.

Cast off as skies brightened; muggy weather replaced by fresh northerly breeze. Not much traffic though herons  - one ignored and the other flew at us head on to veer across the canal.

Top mooring outside the Barbridge Inn on opposite side ready for spot of refreshment. Delicious meal: Andrew steak and bacon burger and proper Eton Mess : Alison chicken fillet with tarragon cream sauce and lemon posset.

Middlewich to Nantwich 18/4/2019

Engine hours start: 467.3 end: 473.6 = 6.3 hours

Miles:12 Locks:3  Lock miles: 15

Solo trip back to Nantwich ready for the start of the Nantwich Jazz and Blues Festival. AJS due to arrive late tomorrow (Friday) after a gig!

Early start to try and avoid lock queues.

Very quiet for first 2-2.5 hours. Only passed one other boat.

Livened up after 11:00 with lots of boats moving. Volunteer lockkeeper at Cholmondeston said he had already helped 16 boats by 12:00ish. 

Lots of lockies working Hurleston bottom lock and they have a portaloo installed so are well provided for...

Back on mooring by 13:45. Lunch onboard then into town for some groceries and to pick up festival wristbands.

Tried the live music at the Oddfellows at 9pm but the band had a stupidly loud bass drum which was nearly giving me palpitations so gave up after the first pint and went back to the boat.

====

The festival was great with lots of good music, beer and food!

Anderton to Middlewich branch by Bridge 28

Engine hours start: 461.0 end: 467.3 = 6.3 hours

Miles:10 Locks:5  Lock miles: 15

Start of solo cruise back towards Nantwich ready for the Jazz and Blues festival

Bright start. Up around 08:00. Several boats already past. Breakfasted on porridge BBE end 2017! Tasted alright...

Aiming for Middlewich branch visitor moorings today. Set off about 08:50.

Trouble free journey to Big Lock at Middlewich apart from getting stuck behind a very slow and erratically steered hireboat at one of the new marinas near Billinge Green Flash.

Straight into Big Lock sharing with another boat. Then ran into queue for the Middlewich 3 locks. Boat in front had been waiting for an hour. Turned engine off and had lunch. Only took about 30 mins to move up to first lock. Single handed the first two and then got help from a volunteer lockkeeper for the final one.

Short wait at Wardle Lock as chap had lock waiting for a boat coming down. Single handed through with no problem. Moored just beyond Bridge 28. A warm afternoon.

Later walked down for a couple of pints in the Kings Lock and took fish and chips home from the Kings Lock chippy!

Middlewich to Anderton 15/4/2019

Engine hours start: 457.1 end: 461.1 = 4 hours
Miles:10 Locks:0 Lock miles: 10

Solo cruise for ADS from Middlewich to Anderton.

Up quite early to internal alarm clock.  Walked to Morrisons and was there by about 07:50! Did battle with self-service tills and only needed assistance twice... Used shore facilities before returning to boat for breakfast. Another boat arrived at the mooring last night.

Set off at 09:00. Stopped for coffee 11:00. Moored outside Anderton Marina 13:00 after winding at the Boat Lift.

Checked to see if there were any films on at Northwich Odeon that I wanted to see. Fishermens Friends caught my eye so I decided to book a ticket for tomorrow.

However in and amongst internet signal problems, I managed to book for 15:00 today... This meant I had to hotfoot it into town. Pleasant walk through the nature park to arrive at the car park near the Asda fuel station.

Got some sweets and a drink before heading for the screen. Very few people in: I was the first!

Enjoyable film with a good smattering of sea shanties in the soundtrack as might be expected.

Afterwards I had a little look round and found the Salty Dog Alehouse. Monday is real ale night so got two pints of a very nice locally brewed pale all for just £2 a pint!

After that wandered back to the boat then straight off to the services for a shower. Didn't bother lighting the fire as 14 degrees inside and I was warm from the hot shower.

Planning to have a sort out of the front starboard locker tomorrow morning then heading back into town for lunch etc. 

Nantwich to Middlewich 14/4/2019

Engine hours start: 450.0 end: 457.1 = 7 hours 
Miles:13.5 Locks:8 Lock miles: 21.5 

Start of a short trip in first week of Easter break for ADS. AJS present for first day's cruising. 

We had spent the previous day at the IWA branch AGM held at Wappenshall Wharf followed by a walk to Berwick Tunnel. We did a car shuffle to leave Alison's at Middlewich ready for the next day. 

Sunday started bright and sunny with a chilly wind. By 10:45 the sky had clouded and the wind was brisk - layers piling on. 

Spoke to the Findlays on NB Muddy Puddle at their Barbridge mooring. 

Bacon butties at 12:30pm just past Aqueduct Marina. 

Cold breeze all day and sun increasingly absent. As soon as moored up below Middlewich Big Lock, we got the fire lit. 

Dinner at the Big Lock pub before AJS returned home having fetched car from street parking on arrival.

Shropshire Union - Nantwich to Audlem 28 /2-1/3/2019

Engine hours start: 443(est) end: 446
.9 = 4 hours

Miles:8.75 Locks:3  Lock miles: 11.75

Short trip during February half-term.

Arrived at boat on Wednesday evening after work.

Had planned to cruise to Audlem on Thursday but persistent heavy rain all day. So just stayed snugly on board with books and the stove lit until about 8pm when we went to the Oddfellows for the Thursday quiz night.

Didn't disgrace ourselves even though we only had two on our team compared to at least 4 on most of the others. We have to admit to being weak on sports and geography though...

The Oddfellows kitchen still a work in progress so we got pie and chips from across the road and washed them down with a couple of pints each of Razorback.

Friday morning
Both went for showers before breakfast. While Alison had hers, Andrew swept the chimney while the stove was cold.

Finally got moving about 10:45. Our newly refurbished gearbox seems responsive.

Very impressed by the work done by the Hurleston Lockkeepers to clear offside vegetation. Much easier to navigate the Nantwich to Henhull stretch as we went to the winding hole.

Winded and then Alison took the tiller to head back through Nantwich towards Audlem. Andrew got off at Marsh Lane Bridge to walk to the Hack Green locks. Got chatting with some people from the Small Task Team Volunteers who were laying some towpath.

Trouble free trip through the Hack Green locks. Couple of boats coming the other way meant the locks were both set for us.

At Audlem, Andrew had the idea of reversing up one or two locks to the visitor moorings. While he turned the boat, Alison walked up and confirmed that there are 48 hour moorings on rings above the first lock. Lovely quiet spot within easy walking distance of the village. First top mooring of the year! Engine off around 14:40.

Time to relax before checking out the pubs later!