Monday 29 May 2017

Nantwich to The Anchor Inn, High Offley



After having a restful weekend in Nantwich its time to move on.


38 miles to the end of the "Shroppie" - to be taken in a slow fashion and savoured.


New housing abounds on the outskirts of Nantwich and a spot of weed control going on along the towpath.


The countryside awaits.


"Sokai" is setting the pace.


Entering the first of 2 locks at Hack Green






Sshhhh it's a secret.......


paddling cows......



Canada geese in abundance.


A flight of 15 locks and one of my favourite on the system.... very easy to operate and numerous places to moor along the way.





We overnight above lock 14 .


Waiting to fill up with water.


One of the prettiest wharfs on the Shroppie.


Audlem Mill (the brick building) houses a superb craft shop and offers various courses.


It's pre - festival week so there are plenty of boats coming down the flight.


That's where we are a heading.



Always have to watch the by-washes however they were the least fierce we have seen them.


Stunning tree .... horse chestnut????



Nearly at the top and its quietened down



Lockside goodies.....


"Sokai" has caught up to us.


Bees round a honey pot......


After resting overnight at the top of the locks we set off in beautiful sunshine heading for Market Drayton.


Even the sheep rest it out in the shade.



Reminders of home and the "Lankie" along the way.



Market Drayton - the last size able town until the end of the Shroppie so its time for a hike to the town and stock up on provisions.


The corn mill has been tastefully renovated.


The hotel boats Duke and Duchess are on the water-point.  It was from Market Drayton that I boarded Taurus and Snipe for my hotel narrowboat holiday in 2007 then in 2008 I went to meet a certain person armed with my photos of the trip into Gas Street Basin and as they say the rest is history....


With a 'single hander' in front and a very fierce by wash the Tyrley Locks of 5 were a challenge.  Thankfully a volunteer appeared and with help of the guests off the hotel boats behind we survived.


Feeling the effects of 25 locks in 5 days we crashed out at the top of Tyrley and woke to yet more sunshine.


Next up is Woodseaves Cutting with its pair of high bridges, narrowness and is cut through solid rock.


"Sokai" following on.


Breath in....


My rock with the rock....


20 miles to go....


Shebdon Wharf and once the home of Cadbury, the chocolate manufacturers. It  was opened in 1911 as a centre for processing milk collected from the dairy farms of Shropshire.


Moored down from The Anchor pub and its the first outing of the plank.  

Week 5

73 1/2 miles, 47 locks and 9 swing bridges.

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