Blimey them bywashes were fierce.

Wednesday 2nd Oct

We had youths....5 of them all with fishing rods and bait.  Some concerns as we were due to go over to Merlin for a meal and a game of Mexican train. The thought of them seeing us leave the boat was somewhat worrying. They kept riding up and down past FS shouting to each other and boy was I relieved when the drizzle started and they cleared off pretty smartish. Other than that it was a good mooring spot.

As we pulled pins this morning and set off a figure appeared at the lock, windlass in hand.  Gosh, what a stroke of luck. 5 minutes later leaving and we would have had to turn every lock. As it was all but one had either a boat descending or the lock was empty.

Reached those dreaded long length of moorings. Travelling back toward Bunbury I took a better photo of the breasted pair by the bridge 'ole. This shows just how awkward to negotiate and get past the moored boats if there was an oncoming boat. See my previous post

Can anyone tell me the reason for cruising with the pram top up when the day is fine? This boater did not want to go through the trees...obviously....and went completely on the wrong side of the canal. How Tony missed hitting him I will never know!

Beeston Castle

Wardle lock and the fun and games started. The bywash looked fierce and with both lock gates open it was full throttle and power FS in. Even so, the stern swung out against the flow but I had enough speed to rectify it and got in in one piece. Not so Tony and Merlin. I'm not sure he realised just what a flow that bywash threw out but Merlin was pushed hard toward the bank, Tony tried to correct and hit the side of the lock wall with a bang. And then, unfortunately, the bow bounced back and hit FS hard on the stern. Good job these boats are made of steel. And what luck... no crockery breakages!

Iron lock was as bad as ever. A notice on the top lock beam mentions roping up and opening both paddles because of the bottom gate leakage. Only one boat through at a time so I went first.

Ian took hold of the centre rope wrapping it around the bollard to stop FS surging forward whilst Lynda opened up the paddles. Job done and then it was Tony's turn. Blooming centre rope of Merlin was short and not enough length for Tony to throw up to Ian. He had to lay on the ground to take it from Tony. This will have to be discussed with Sean when back at the Anglo-Welsh base.

Sean happened to be at Bunbury when we went up the staircase locks. In fact, he locked us through, what a very nice man. Anyway, Sean confirmed that the rope was to short and said it will be replaced when Merlin is back on Friday.

Hey Anglo-Welsh have named a boat after me😁

 We decided to head left at Barbridge junction down the Middlewich branch.  A BBQ was planned and the weather for once has been perfect although a tad cold.

A good length of moorings with a wide enough towpath was the perfect place to stop. This will do very nicely for the BBQ.

And wildlife,