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Saturday 17 February 2018

Stanthorne Saturday 17 February 2018

We had quite a good run to the boat until we reached Middlewich and found the road between Middlewich and Northwich was closed with diversion signs. As we didn't know exactly where the road was closed, we go a lot less than half way to Northwich we ignored the diversions and found the road was closed less than half a mile from where we turn off, but we still had to divert back to Middlewich to get to where we wanted to be.

We were loaded up and ready to go by quarter past two, this included refilling the water system and putting everything back in the galley cupboard above the pump. We had a bit of a start as we first walked down the pontoon to the boat as a Kingfisher flew out from right under our feet.

We only met one boat all day and that was right in a bridge hole, the afternoon was quite pleasant but a little cool out of the sun. Passing Bramble Cuttings we could see the maintenance team trimming the grass.DSCF0231

As I drained the plumbing before we left the boat last and had to refill it before we set off today the potable water tank was well down so we stopped below Big Lock to fill up, while the tank was filling I walked up to set the lock. I must say well done CRT. it's the first time I have ever been able to open the bottom gate without drawing a paddle, the top end now seals!

We discussed where to moor for the night, maybe near the kiddies swings but then thought, Big Lock was empty, maybe the next three will be as well, wrong. We got there and they were all against us, but we are committed now unless I reverse back to the moorings, by now Diana had drawn the lock so it was on and up. Elton Moss Share Boats have taken over the off side moorings that use to be Middlewich Narrowboats, but no change at the dry dock or services.

At Middlewich Junction it was sharp right and up through Wardle Lock, it was half empty so by the time I arrived Diana had the gates open. It fills a lot slower than it did a few years back when there was quite a pull from the top paddles. We considered mooring below Stanthorne Lock but that would have required pins in the town path so we gave that a miss and I set Stanthorne Lock for Diana to come up, by now the sun was getting low lighting the clouds but it wasn't far to the 48hr visitor moorings where we called it a night at quarter to six.

Today's Journey map 016¾ miles 6 locks in 3½ hours

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