Sunday 14th August 2011

Calf Heath to Baswich (Staffs & Worcs Canal)

Another uneventful day, punctuated by yet another long lunch break at a pub - though this time not totally of our choosing as the kitchen forgot to cook our meals...

The locks seemed to be very slow today, possibly because other people were involved!

We've noticed an amazing number of ducklings on the canals this year - I would have assumed that they would have grown up a bit by this time of year, but evidentially not.

The weather has been very nice today - not 100% blue sky and sunshine, just pleasantly warm and no rain.

The photos show an interesting painted boat and the pub.

8.5 miles, 10 locks today

Saturday 13th August 2011

Brewood (Shropshire Union Canal) to Calf Heath (Staffs & Worcs Canal)

We've continued south along the last bit of the Shropshire Union Canal to Autherley Junction.

On the way, we passed a bridge that was part of the Chillington Estate - a bit posher than the average canal bridge!

This was a bad day to go anywhere near Autherley Junction, as there is a hire boatyard there which had 8 boats in for swapover, and it was quite difficult to actually get to the stop lock to join the Staffs & Worcs Canal.

But eventually we succeeded, and after an appalling left turn into the Staffs & Worcs Canal, we headed north again.

Very shortly afterwards, there's a section marked 'Very Narrow Cutting' on the map, and indeed it was. Luckily, there was only one boat coming the other way, and we crossed before entering it.

After this section, a beer was needed, and luckily, a few miles on, we found a nice pub by the canalside. A large lunch and several drinks later, we are now moored up for the evening in a quiet spot near Calf Heath.

11.5 Miles, 1 lock (6") today.

Friday 12th August 2011

Goldstone to Brewood (Shropshire Union Canal)

We are still moving south and east along the canal.

The combination of cuttings and embankments make for interesting views along the way. In many places, we could see The Wrekin in the distance.

Gemma saw a kingfisher this morning.

It was actually warm this morning when the sun shone, which made a nice change. In fact, the weather has been dry all day, unlike the forecast...

The photos show the unusual bridge in Grub Street Cutting, and Cowley Tunnel, which at 81 yards long is more like a long bridge.

We're currently moored up at Brewood (pronounced Brood) - which is an ideal combination; quiet moorings but pubs and shops only a short distance away.

17 miles, 1 lock, 1 little tunnel today.

Thursday 11th August 2011

Hack Green to Goldstone (Shropshire Union Canal)

We've continued down a very pleasant section of the Shropshire Union Canal, it's been a busy day with three lock flights (Audlem, Adderley and Tyrley).

The weather has been much better today.

The Woodseaves Cutting was spectacular - and to think that it had all been made with manual labour.

We're now moored near to a pub, and are looking forward to a few drinks.

13 miles and 25 locks today.

Wednesday 10th August 2011

Church Minishull (Middlewich Branch) - Hack Green (Shropshire Union Canal - Main Line)

The meal at the pub (www.badgerinn.co.uk) last night was excellent - more posh restaurant than pub food though, with prices to match...

A slow start today, the Middlewich Branch seems to be very busy, and we spent most of the morning queuing for the two remaining locks on the branch.

Eventually, we reached Barbridge Junction, and after taking on water, we headed south on the Shropshire Union Canal Main Line.

As the afternoon progressed, the wind and rain increased, and getting fed up with being blown into the bank, we went through the Hack Green locks and are moored up for the night watching the geese and swans on the opposite bank.

12 miles and 4 locks today. But it seems like more!

Tuesday 9th August 2011

Wheelock (Trent & Mersey Canal) to Church Minshull (Shropshire Union Canal - Middlewich Branch)

After a disappointing evening finding a decent pub in Wheelock (one shut, one without food and one rather grotty), we ended up with some nice fish & chips.

In the morning, we set off down the Trent & Mersey canal; an uneventful journey along uneventful canal to Middlewich. At which point there was a very long queue for Wardle lock (but not long enough to stop at the pub!), where we eventually joined the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.

After stopping for lunch, we waited for a boat to go past and set off behind them, only to have TWO rather dubious single crewed boats push in front of us. So we had a long queue for the next lock as well...

Still, no rain today, which made a nice change.

Eventually, we reached very nice moorings near Church Minshull. The pub in the village reopened yesterday after being closed for 5 years, so we've booked a table for a meal.

12 miles, 8 locks today.

Monday 8th August 2011

We've continued our journey south on the Macclesfield Canal, and have now turned Northwest onto the Trent & Mersey Canal at Kidsgrove. Weather has been a bit cold and showery, but not so wet as to halt progress.

After lunch, we went down "Heartbreak Hill" to Wheelock - 26 locks in fairly quick succession! The weather was better, except for a 10 minute total downpour. The photo shows where the M6 crosses very close to a canal lock.

14.5 Miles, 27 Locks today. No swing or lift bridges!