We set off about quarter to ten this morning after a boat had gone by. Stanthorne lock was very slow to empty, the reason being that stops have bee attached to the gate paddles which restrict the lift by half. I take it this is after the flooding and breach a few years back.
This year seems a very good year for wild flowers, the woods are full of Wood Anemones giving a white carpet. The towpaths are covered in Dandelions, Cow Slips and Celandines.
This Ewe had her very new triplets by her, they can’t be more than a day old. By one of the bridges someone has set this little chap up.
This swan was making sure her nest wouldn’t be effected by and canal flooding by building it up until it was about a foot above the water.
The canal was quite busy, we met 28 boats just on the Middlewich Branch let alone on the Shropshire Union canal and we were fifth in the queue at Minshull Lock and spent over an hour there. When we arrived at Cholmondeston Lock we were third in the queue and I had time to fill with diesel and not lose my place at Venetian Marina.
This is another of the reasons I avoid mooring near trees this time of the year, there is nothing like a Rook singing the Dawn Chorus.
We then carried on to Barbridge Junction where we turned left towards Nantwich. Last time we were here there was rubbish disposal in a locked compound requiring a CRT key, this is all what’s left of it. A few steel posts.
We have moored almost opposite Ye Old Barbridge Inn where we plan to eat tonight.
Todays Journey 9½ miles, 3 locks in 5½ hours.
Second part of our trip
1 comment:
Re paddle blocks, yes, that's C&RT's excuse. when all the locals knows it was a combination of Badger sets in the bank & blocked overspill wear that the farmer had been complaining about for ages!
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