Middlewich Branch

This morning started wet again so we delayed our departure until about 11 am. by then the rain was very light and the weather surprisingly warm. just before we set off a pair of ex working boats went by, just as they approached the bend ahead of us a boat came round the bend backwards, top marks to Joe.

Rather than be right behind them we stopped for water at the Wheelock services, not the fastest tap on the system. Even though we stopped for water we still caught up with the pair at Booth Lane Top Lock and from here on we helped lock the butty down at every lock. I wouldn’t mind being held up like this on every trip. It transpired it was the first time the lad who owned the butty had been towed so not only was Joe towing he was also teaching the steerer as they went, I think he had done a wonderful job in just a day and a half.

Every time we have been this way I have photographed this ice breaker, the back end is now suspended on a cross beam and 2 Acro props, I really cant see it lasting much longer and if it was now restored it would be a replica of the original.

When we got to Rumps Lock it looks like the Thai Restaurant has closed its doors with the place all shut up, they also have a mobile home in the carpark so I wonder if there are new plans for it.

When we got down to Kings Lock we had a boat between us and the pair, below the lock there were two boats waiting to come up and one waiting to go through Wardle Lock with another waiting below Wardle Lock, so once Joe got the pair down there it was quite congested. I went to give a hand at Wardle to speed things along a bit, then brought Harnser down and tied up at the junction before helping the pair on their way, by now yet another boat was waiting to go up Wardle who got to the junction before me. So that would be the last we would see of Joe and his new friend.

We finally got our turn up the lock and chugged along the Middlewich Branch, the other day I posted where a tree trunk had been caved with a woodpecker on the top, this afternoon we passed this rather smart Hare caved on a tree stump, he looks as if he has been polished and oiled.

We pushed on to just beyond the aqueduct prior to Stanthorne Lock where we moored for the night, we were hoping to moor on the rings there but ended up with the front rope on the rings and the stern on a pin.

Today’s Journey

6½ Miles 6 Locks in 5½hours