Multiple locking - 16th - 18th July

Tuesday 16^th July 2019

Anderton to above Big Lock, Middlewich

9.5 miles, 1 lock

Sue and Ken had moved on last night to use the services at Anderton and we planned on meeting once we had emptied and filled as required.  As we approached the services, there was Cleddau – not far to go to find them!

We were on our way shortly before 10am.  We passed Lion Salt Works which looked quite run down and sad from this direction, but it is indeed open as stated and I gather worth a visit – next time, maybe.

One place you can never miss along this stretch is TATA Chemicals – it stretches for what seems a long time.  The first hint that you are approaching are the many pipe bridges

Before you see the works themselves which are on both sides of the canal

10 minutes later we escaped (it seemed longer!)

We had just the one lock to do today – Big Lock at Middlewich and of course there was a queue, but only a small one.

It was not long before we were in and on our way up

At the lock we met a family from Dallas – it appears they come over most summers to catch up with family members.  Mum was (quite sensibly IMHO) keeping their table at the pub warm whilst Dad and the twins were eager to help.  

We moored up not far from the lock and then Monty and I walked up to the first of the three locks that climb out of Middlewich and there we found a friend for Monty

The two boys had a little ‘dog chat’ and we then went on our way. 

That afternoon we paid a visit to a chemist – Chris had surgery on his right foot a couple of years ago which has left his second toe lower than its neighbours.  He stubbed it badly a while back, then did it again and split the skin.  It had failed to heal quickly, so we were after some advice.  Rowlands was our pharmacy of choice and the pharmacist was excellent.  She dressed the wound adding an iodine patch.  It is to stay on until Friday and if it is not better he is to see a doctor when we get to Chester next week. 

Wednesday 17^th July 2019

Middlewich

Just a domestic day for us.  I did take Monty for a long walk in the morning, but failed to take the camera.  I walked back to Croxton Aqueduct and turned left into Croxton Park and followed a path along the small river.  I suspect it may be a circular route, but as I was not sure I turned back and retraced my steps.

Next job was a Morrison’s shop.  It is only just over half a mile away, but with heavy shopping and two rotten knees between us we got a taxi back again to the pub car park. 

Apart from washing two loads of towels that was our exciting day in Middlewich!  It was dry until late afternoon when we had thunder and quite heavy rain.

Thursday 18^th July 2019

Middlewich to just before Aqueduct Marina on the Middlewich Arm of the Shropshire Union Canal

7.5 miles, 5 locks for the boat, but 11 for Jennie!

Monty and I were the advance guard and arrived near at the lock in time to see a boat going into the bottom lock ahead of us.  The lock keepers use the same frequency on their walkie talkies as we do, so we knew there was one on each lock – such a great help.

Just before you get to the first lock there is this charming bench

Before long Tentatrice and Cleddau were in sight

e whipped through the first three locks and we were in and going up in the fourth lock (Wardle Lock) (round the corner into the Middlewich Arm) by around 10:30

Sue and Ken were not far behind.  We had managed four locks in an hour.

Monty and I walked the three quarters of a mile to Stanthorne Lock – our last of the day. We passed many lovely gardens on the other side of the canal, but only one had a boat moored at the bottom. 

This really took my fancy – I am sure it was not purchased on expenses!!

 Just before the next lock you pass the site of a very serious breach that occurred in March 2018 and required the canal to be closed until December 2018 while the very large breach was repaired.  The cost of the repair was in the region of £3million.  

This is the view down from where the breach occurred.  Some boats were stranded and had to be craned out and taken by road to safety. 

So here we are at lock 5 of the day, so how did I end up working 11 locks?  With boats going down and up that I helped through, by the time I had locked both Tentatrice and then helped with Cleddau, I had clocked up 11 locks for the day!

 By the time it was our turn there was a party of ramblers who stopped for a gongoozle

By this time Monty had given up and gone back on board

Finally we were out, Ken and I worked the lock and Sue came in and up on Cleddau.  It had taken an hour for us to negotiate just one lock!  It is a good job it was the last of the day and that we were not in a hurry!

Just a few more miles of steady putting, firstly past a pretty house

And is this just one large bungalow – I think it is

And then past some serious piling work being carried out on the offside of the canal by Canal and River Trust

Up to now it had been dry, but as the morning wore on it got chilly enough to need a jumper on the back deck – we then began to ask ourselves if we would be moored before this lot let go of the water they were holding?

We did and the sun came back out again and I made use of the table by our mooring to have my lunch.

Thank you to the owner/s of nb Miss Eloise who kindly sponsored the table – it was much appreciated

The only downside to this mooring is lack of internet where we are – one boat length further forward and we would have been okay! 

And finally for two of our grandchildren