WHAT’S THAT FOLLOWING US ???

 

Willeymoor Lock Tavern in the sun

After my very successful weigh in we decided to give the pubs in Whitchurch a try. First was the Black Bear, not a great deal of choice on for me, but the Captain tried a fruit and nut mild, not great so only a half. Then we walked down to the White Bear, hidden down a little alley, we had great hopes but were sorely disappointed, not even a bitter on here, but a very helpful landlady who suggested we try the Wheatsheaf, still not great, but Rev James on here, a palatable bitter so a pint, it was very much a locals pub and quite lively. Then we gave up and headed back to the Crafty Dragon for the last pint.

Friday was a busy day, we managed to achieve the holy grail in boating terms, a full water tank, an empty toilet tank and we got rid of our rubbish, all at the top of the Grindley Brook locks. After this amazing feat, I pottered off to help at the locks, 3 boats were coming up, they all had plenty of crew but I still helped out were I could. We were the 2^nd of 3 boats going down, the 1^st a hire boat with a large group of American fella’s on who seemed to know what they were doing. I chatted to one of them, he was interested in the history of the canal, but in true US style wasn’t very aware of things outside the USA, didn’t even know where or what Blackpool was.

We followed the hire boat for quite some time before they moored before Willeymoor Lock and headed to the pub, the Willeymoor Tavern for a pint. The Captain chatted with them (after they got their pints) and discovered there was a stout on. With this information we decided to moor and give it a try, it was early for us as the pub closed for a couple of hours at 3pm. So we sat taking in the afternoon sun with a couple of pints. The stout was Belhaven Black Scottish stout. Belhaven is Scotlands oldest working brewery, and part of the Greene King group. It wasn’t to my taste, but I was quite happy with San Miguel.

https://www.willeymoorlock.co.uk/

https://www.belhaven.co.uk/our-brewery

The American contingency decided to move on after a couple of pints, and made a bit of a pigs ear getting into the lock, I won’t say it was because of the beer, but we do have an unwritten rule if we have had a drink, we don’t do locks. So much can go wrong.

The weather this trip has not been the best, but in the main the rain has held off. We were not so lucky next day, our plan was to get to Baddiley Locks, a journey of 6miles 2 locks and 3 lift bridges. Well as we approached the final bridge of the day at Wrenbury the heavens opened, and of course suddenly there was no were suitable to moor, so we had to keep going. We eventually moored up near our destination looking like drowned rats.

Unsure of how far we wanted to go next day, we decided to get to the top of the Hurleston locks, these take us off the Llangollen and back onto the Shropshire Union and then see how we felt.

At the 5 locks before Hurleston we met boats coming in both directions which was great and made for easy passage through. As we had made good time we decided to keep going. There are 4 locks close together at Hurleston, unfortunately all 4 boats there (including us) were going down, so it took a little longer.

We turned back onto the Middlewich branch of the Shroppy after the Captain successfully got us past the Barbridge Inn without me suggesting we stop for a pint, and moored up in the MONW.

A short hop to Aqueduct marina for fuel next day. The Captain doesn’t like to let the level drop to far just in case we develop the dreaded diesel bug. We use red diesel which is available from most marinas, wharf, working boats and in one case a garage by the side of the canal, but it’s always best to check the price first as it can vary greatly. For those of you who don’t know, red diesel is used by haulage firms and farms, and does not have the same amount of tax added as normal diesel. It usually works out about 47p cheaper a litre, but we have to declare what we use for propulsion, and what is used for domestic, ie creating electricity to charge our batteries, the split is usually 60/40 but its up to the boater to decide.

Another night in the MONW

On the way to Middlewich next day we spotted a cormorant swimming in the canal. Now we tend to see these on rivers but not so much canals. They are not the most attractive of birds with their drab black plumage and evil looking beak (think vulture). But having seen one close up I discovered, that the markings on their back and wings are iridescent and looked like fish scales. Well, this cormorant followed us for some time, diving down down and then reappearing close to the back of the boat, we decided it was because he was hoping that we would stir up the bottom of the canal and disturb the fish so he could catch his dinner, this proved to be true as on his 3^rd dive he came up with a silvery fish which he soon gulped down.

Cormorant

We moored above Wardle lock and decided to head back to the Kings Lock pub. The Captain had been very impressed with their choice of beer but was to be disappointed on this occasion, all they had on were hoppy pale beers. He tried one, only a half, but couldn’t finish it so gave it me. We didn’t stay but walked to the White Bear on the main street in Middlewich and faired a lot better in here, with Dunham Massey Milk Stout, so a couple in there.

https://www.thewhitebearmiddlewich.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/dunhammasseybrewing/?locale=en_GB

Next day we came of the Wardle/Shroppy canal and on to the Trent and Mersey once again, but we didn’t go far, only 4 locks, and we moored up near the Big Lock, this is the first of the double locks (will take 2 boats side by side).

There is a pub at the big lock called The Big Lock (original I know), and we decided to give it a go. It was a nice afternoon so we sat on the veranda over-looking the lock. They had sold out of cask ales due to the Middlewich Folk and Boat festival which had been on at the weekend, so the Captain made do with John Smiths.

https://biglockmiddlewich.co.uk/

A family of swans caught our eye as they walked past the lock, Dad first followed in a neat row by 5 signets and Mum bringing up the rear. Reminded me of a Victorian schoolmaster taking his pupil between classes.

Ok kids, one at a time

We have decided to take the Anderton boat lift down on to the river Weaver for a few days, a slight change of plan because the Captain needs to go to the bank, and there is a branch still open in Northwich (surprisingly), we can moor on the pontoons there (hopefully) and walk into the town. 

Anderton Boat Lift

25 miles, 26 locks, 4 bridges and 4 canals