Saturday 11th August 2007
Adderley Wharf Bridge - Church Minshull (16 miles, 24 locks)
There was early morning mist as we passed down Adderley Locks on another beautiful sunny day. After three days of sunshine, this was surely a record for the Summer of 2007.
At Audlem Locks, Tess found another field of corn, but this time was missing for more than half an hour. Jen and Robert paced up and down calling in vain for the most disobedient seven month old dog in Britain.
The rest of us got on with the serious business of lock-wheeling and hot-air balloon photography. We had every lock set against us as we followed a boat down with no traffic coming up, but we still made good time with Lucy helping me through the current lock while Rosemary went on ahead to set up the next. Tim went for a swim again and needed Rosemary's help to get out.
Tess finally reappeared and Jen and Robert helped with the remainder of the locks down to Audlem village and past the Shroppie Fly. This was our third trip past this famous pub, but once again the timing was all wrong for sampling their food and beer.
We joined a short queue of boats at Hack Green Locks and when it was our turn the crew of an old working boat and butty coming up the bottom lock asked if I could get into the lock as quickly as possible, although I didn't understand the reasoning. The boat came up and out of the lock as I set off, but then the other boat stopped leaving a gap of about 45ft for me to steer a 57ft boat into. I had to stop while the other boat shuffled forwards, before I could straighten up and enter the lock. Why did they want me to get a move on and then make it impossible? I assumed the crew of a working boat and butty would be experienced, but perhaps this was the first lock they had come across.
At Nantwich, we walked into the town and bought the world's smallest pasties which we ate sitting on a park bench. We were still hungry so had to buy cakes as well, apart from Jen who didn't want anything so unhealthy, so she had a bag of chips instead. Not satisfied after pasty and cake, Robert joined her.
We cruised out of Nantwich, stopping for water near the marina and then on past the Llangollen Canal at Hurleston Junction and up to Barbridge Junction where we turned east on the Middlewich Branch.
We passed a hire-boat where I counted six people sitting at the bows, four people on the roof and another four standing at the stern. I can't think of any hire-boats that are licensed to carry fourteen people. Did half the party collect the boat and then the rest jump on at the next bridge?
We moored near Church Minshull before the aqueduct over the River Weaver. Jen cooked a mouth-watering barbeque of lamb steaks and burgers while Lucy made a delicious salad.