Made the most of not having to get anywhere fast so didn't leave Hack Green until well past 9am. Unfortunately just as I was about to pull away from the mooring a boat came past. Where did he spring from?? Not from the Hack Green locks that's for sure. He must have come up late last night. Anyway, ahead of us was the 15 locks of the Audlem flight and 5 locks of the Adderley flight. Dismayed to see another boat waiting on the Audlem lock landing as well as the boater that passed us earlier.
Had another nice surprise this morning and very welcome as it made for a pleasant trip up part of the fight. While waiting for the lock a gentleman came up and said: "Ah, the Jameisons at last". Well, I was baffled as to who he was until he mentioned his boat Tumbleweed. Of course, the penny dropped it was another fellow blogger. Steve stayed with me all the way up to Audlem chatting and keeping me entertained. A nice change as usually I'm the one left on the boat all alone and twiddling thumbs while the lock wheeler (Ian) gets to chat with everyone. Lovely to meet you Steve and thanks for keeping me company.
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| Bottom of Audlem flight |
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| That's Steve on the left. Note the vicious by wash. |
The flight had very few boats coming down so consequently every lock had to be turned around. But a system got underway by those boaters in front raising a paddle for those behind and we did the same for the boat following. Meant that we all zoomed up the flight in no time at all.
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| Low pounds and I never thought I would be glad of it. Meant those vicious by washes stopped running. |
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| The only boat met on the way up. |
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| Ian raising a paddle for the boaters following |
Top of Audlem flight and we had to stop for an ice cream. We purchased salted caramel tubs for £3 each and then saw the shortbread. £2.50 was a lot to pay for 4 big biscuits but I do so love shortbread.. Then, as an added bonus, at the top of Adderley flight, the farm shop had delicious pork pies for sale also for £3.
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| Ian 'going in'! |
Stopped at Market Drayton for shopping and decided to call it a day. I was knackered by the time we had done the 3/4mile walk to Morrisons there and back. I feel sure we made a wrong turn somewhere as the locals told us it was no more than a 10-minute walk. More like 20 minutes each way and with a full backpack and trolly, knackered was not an understatement.
And seen on route,
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| Not a great photo but this could be a hornet as it was huge. |
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| Grey Wagtail. |
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