Audlem

First the apologies, yesterday I should have mentioned John and Judith who took the trouble to introduce them selves and tell me they read the blog, also fellow Blogger  nb.Seyella who I met in a bridge hole and just had time to say hi as we had a boat following. Today we had a chat with nb Alchemy who stopped along side us as well as Kevin and Carol who called from the towpath.

It was gone 10 when we set off this morning, waiting for a gap in the passing traffic. One of the boats opposite had what looked like a leaded glass porthole, but looking at the photo more closely I think its hanging inside the main glass.

 

There was quite a bit of traffic going up and down the Hurleston flight and after Nantwich things quietened down. We stopped at the services to top up with water, but again a very slow tap and as another boat arrived wanting water we moved on and left them to it. Virtually every visitor mooring was taken on the embankment, but I understand the is a festival on this weekend.
I don’t recall seeing this setup for stop plank storage anywhere else, no doubt someone will tell me there are lots like this one about.

This swan was just stretching her legs as we passed before settling down again, her partner was close by keeping an eye on things including me.

We arrived at the mouth of Hack Green bottom lock just as a boat was opening the top gates to come in, I assumed there had been a boat going up ahead of us but Diana later informed me they had turned the lock. There was another boater coming down in the top lock so only a few seconds wait before sliding in there, the icing on the cake was another boat coming through the bridge as we left so we could leave the top gates open. The clay shooting ground were doing a good trade with the sound of shotguns going off.
We passed the not so secret bunker which made me think, even during the last cold war the government prepared with their bunkers but there were no shelters for the public to use, just like today, unlike Norway who are prepared. Before we set off this rather nice tug came by and we passed them moored at Nantwich, since we have been here they have come by again. The last time we saw them was on the South Oxford canal.

 

Again we have done a longer day than planned and moored for the night just below the Audlem flight of locks, something to look forward to in the morning.

Today’s Journey

9 miles, 2 locks in 4¼ hours