And onto the Shroppie

Plane of the day – a Hawker Hurricane

It rained hard during the night, and there was a shower first thing as well. It was very unusual to see early morning boaters wearing waterproofs, not something we’ve been familiar with this summer. Some hirers had faith in continuing good weather of course, a hardy breed in their shorts and tee shirts with utter determination that the day will be sunny.

The locks in Middlewich were very busy, so it was sad to see many (most?) of the Anderson hire fleet moored up with no sign of being “turned-around” for holiday makers. Boats in both directions through the locks usually mean life is easier but some people have their own way of doing things which had folk scratching their heads wondering what was going on.

Out of the top lock and hard right into the Middlewich arm where we waited for the boat in front of us to ascend Wardle lock. Once through that we had the canal almost to ourselves again although it became busier the nearer we got to Barbridge.

Left onto the Shroppie mainline and the area around the Barbridge Inn was like Piccadilly circus. Where Graham wanted to leave Jannock is now a 48hr mooring so we continued on through bridge 100 and moored just after on a 14 day mooring. Should be secure as bows were moored to piling even though the stern was on two pins.

A hirer who was moored behind us returned from the pub and asked us where they could wind to return to the junction. We advised using Hurlestone junction but he said that someone in the pub had told him to turn where the willow tree is. He then cast off and tried to turn where we were moored, until the far side land owner advised him that his tree was a not a willow tree and that was why he was unable to turn. The hirer then moved further down the cut and successfully winded after the willow tree.

G&B