On Monday, we returned to the boat in Middlewich, which thankfully was exactly where we left it and it started first time. As we had left the Van in Pock, Nic’s parents drove us back to Middlewich, and were our first overnight visitors and stayed on board until Friday.
After a quick shopping trip to Lidl to boost supplies, on Monday afternoon we moved the boat in the rain onto the Shropshire Union Canal. Not far just to get the boat away from the noisy Middlewich main Road. Our intention had been to go up to Chester, but there were ongoing works on the branch up to Chester after a breach in the canal banks and the work was not due to be completed for a few more days.
Instead, on Tuesday, we took the Shropshire Union south, (left at Barbridge Junction!), and headed for Nantwich. We moored close to the Nantwich Aqueduct, and those in Instagram will have already seen a photo of the grooves in the iron work, left by the ropes of the horse drawn barges in times past.
Wednesday saw us motor to Audlem for a lovely pub lunch at The Lord Combermere, before turning round to head back the base of the Llangollen Canal for our first mooring experience on the Shoppie Lip! This is a lip of concrete below the water surface which prevents the boat being tight up against the bank, and so our usual fenders are not substantial enough enough to prevent the hull of the boat banging against the lip when other boats pass, or when we move around the boat. Those in the know seem to have all manner of tyres to use as fenders to prevent the banging, if we are spending much time on the Shroppie, we will be getting ourselves some tyres!
As the weather had been relatively kind we had been making good time, so on the Thursday we decided on a trip up the Llangollen canal as far as the turning circle between Bridge 10 and 11. It was lovely to have an extra driver (Dad) and catering staff on board (Mum), notably lots of lovely homemade shortbread and scones.
Thursday we had a second night on the Shroppie Lip, before heading on Friday morning to Calveley for the rendezvous with Nic’s Aunt to take parents back to their car, and the inevitable Services stop.
Saturday was a domestic day, sweeping out the boat etc, then a lovely evening meal at Nic’s Auntie’s house complete with chauffeur service by Mum.
Sunday (today) has been glorious, so suncream on and a leisurely motor along towards Chester now that the Canal has reopened.
| This Week | Total | |
| Locks | 37 | 141 |
| Miles Cruised (approx.) | 42 | 252 |
Sorry struggling to upload our photos again…… they can all be found at https://www.instagram.com/travurple/
Travurple 