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Tuesday 17 October 2017

Cholmoneston Tuesday 17 October 2017

Well it was a bit bumpy last night but what a different day to today, yesterday it was tee shirt weather, today the wind felt cold even with a fleece on. Even though the gales subsided overnight today was still breeze.

Yesterday our plans were dashed for our visit to the dry dock, this morning I thought that maybe the new ones were as well/. The Canal and Rivers Trust issue email stoppage notices to let boaters know where there is an emergency closure of the canal, I received one this morning saying a tree had blocked the canal by bridge 30, that is between us and the dry dock. However this afternoon I received an update saying it was now clear.

We pushed off at about our normal 10 am and it wasn't long before we spotted windfall apples right beside the towpath probably due to last nights gales, so I pulled in while Diana went scrumping.DSCF9591

We met a few boats one being an old wooden converted working boat which was on a straight run, this was followed by a hire boat at a bridge on a bend, luckily Diana was sitting at the bows and saw it first so I was able to stop in good time and pull over. We carried on to the visitor moorings just above Cholmondeston Lock where we stopped for lunch. It felt a bit warmer after lunch and we carried on to Barbridge Junction where we turned round to retrace our steps. The junction is also the limit for navigation for boats that have a Bridgewater Canal licence, to travel any further they have to buy a Canal and Rivers Trust licence. In return boats like ours with a CRT licence can pass through the Bridgewater canal join the CRT waters the other side.DSCF9592

When we returned we were pleased to find that Cholmondeston Lock was full and ready for us. We planned to spend the night at the visitor moorings between Cholmondeston and Minshull Lock where volunteers have recently "restored" the lengthman's hut. I a not sure what they plan to do with it now with its large double glazed windowDSCF9499

Today's Journey map 410¾ Miles, 3 locks in 4½ hours

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