Perfect Timing! 30th July 2019

Tuesday 30th July 2019
Hassall Green, Lock 57 to Church Lawton (B135) Trent & Mersey Canal
3.5 miles, 10 locks

We woke to sunshine having had some overnight rain.  How long would the wet stuff hold off?  Boats started to go past us from just after 7am, but thankfully all going down, so we hoped that meant and an easy passage for us as we headed up the next 10 locks.

We left at 08:45 which turned out to be exactly right.  Eight of the locks were indeed empty, I had to lower one lock by about 6 inches and at the penultimate lock we had to wait for a boat to come down.  The entire journey was the same miles and locks as yesterday's, but took half the time!  There were boats behind us - one had a crew of six, so we often had help.  With boats continually coming down as well, it really was a breeze.

There were some interesting clouds in the sky - we were not sure what they heralded.

The bits of blue were not very big!

So a few things seen en route.

I have added this conservatory by lock 54 before with the stuffed dog in the window

I have never been so close before - this is a double lock, so we must always have used the towpath side in the past.  The food, vet and insurance bills must be very manageable!

The by wash for this lock is in the same garden as above - the owners have made a great effort to make it look as pretty as a picture

How is this for a garden room with a great view (the canal is just below their patio area) without all the hassle of being too hot or too cold that most conservatories give you.

It was not until we went past we realised it is one half of a double garage with a very appropriate stained glass window.

I have seen plenty of these on bridges, but this is my first on a lock beam!

We made it to our chosen mooring spot and were moored up and inside well before lunch time

with a reasonable view out of the side hatch - a bit less reed and the view would have been quite far reaching.

About an hour after we moored, Cleddau slipped past to moor just ahead of us

Just after that we had a light shower, but by 1:30pm the heavens had opened along with lightning and thunder which really scares Monty. 

I decided to try an experiment and 'built' him a den.  I popped his bed under the table and he went straight in, curled up and was quite calm.  Something to remember for the future.

A quiet afternoon and evening ahead with a walk for Monty almost between the showers.  We headed back along the towpath and up to the church.  I know I have been in here with Sue some years ago, but I can't remember when

We re-traced our steps back towards the towpath and then took a footpath to our right past the extensive church yard.

Then on down towards the woods below

Plenty of shelter from the light rain, but it kept going down and down with no signs of the towpath, so we turned and went back the way we came.

 I had not realised how far down we had gone.  A pleasant walk apart from dodging dog deposits.  I know it is in the country, but if they walk their dogs along these parts, surely they should assume others might as well!  Rant over.