6 miles only today

Didn't leave Nantwich until well after 1pm. Such a late start unheard of normally. Get away early and stop early for the best mooring spots, that's usually our motto. But had to do a shop first, well we had actually shopped yesterday but as is our norm these days, we forget things! So while Ian was away I gave FS a well-needed wash and brush up.

Ian returned very pleased with himself as he found a Home Bargains and a supply of fire logs. He also returned with a stove sweeping log. Never seen that before and is supposed to remove the soot from the flue when lit. Only time will tell if this works. Chimney was swept before we left Langley Mill so this won't be needed for a while.

Also in his back pack was double A batteries.  Lynda and Tony are meeting us at Bunbury on Friday cos they have booked Merlin for a week and Ian thought walkie talkies would be a good idea as we are travelling together. But here again the memory failed him as he should have bought triple A's. Another trek back to town to change them so I took the oppertunity to make butternut squash soup ready for his return.

Eventually leaving Nantwich after lunch it didnt surprise us that the moorings the other side of the aqueduct were also full. Hoping to get onto the facilities, we were out of luck with two boats already there. We carried on past knowing that we could empty the loo at Calvelly.

The moorings after the aqueduct

The Nantwich wooden horse made from recycled lock gates. Click this link to read about the artists

We passed the Middlewich arm of the Shropshire Union Canal. Most boaty readers will know of the breach between Stanthorne lock and Wardle Lock where C&RT think paddles being left open caused the damage. A good aerial photo can be seen by clicking this link. We were watching a program on BBC1 with Nick Knowles presenting Real Rescues (or was it close calls on camera?). The chap who survived this terrifying experience meters away from the breach was on this program. I'm not sure if it is on iplayer but would be worth a look if it is.

The Junction

Middlewich Arm

Hurleston Junction was busy with boats ascending. C&RT volunteers were on duty. Hope they will be there on Friday as both FS and Merlin are going onto up the Llangollen canal. Lynda and Tony fancy a cruise over the Pontcysylite Aqueduct. To achieve this 8 hour days will need to be cruised.  Hmmm can't remember when we were on the move for that length of time.

 Did the biz at Calvelly facilities and moored on the visitor moorings beyond the next bridge. Tomorrow we make the final push to Bunbury. Only half a few mile to go so a lie in is on the cards.

And seen on route,