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.

Chester to Nantwich

The staircase lock opened on Sunday, alas no photos as we were chatting to some Australian gongoozelers and we were at the top before we knew it. Here we are cruising along side the historic wall surrounding Chester.

Heading out of Chester is very much a regeneration area.

The first of five locks rising out of Chester.

Always good to fine a locking partner!!!

Even better when there is a touch of one out one in!!!

Beautiful canal side gardens.

Egg bridge and this fine converted mill.

Men at work putting in new piling.

Tattenhall Marina - Diesel 75p a litre.....lets hope it's cheaper at Norbury Junction.

Little duck family.

The remains of Beeston Castle come into view.

Its neighbour, Peckforton Castle of somewhat younger origins.

Tempted by a swifty in the Shady Oak we overnight at Bates Mill ready for the next 5 locks which will take us to Hurleston Junction and then on to Nantwich.

So with the best laid plans to meet Dave and Beryl on NB Sokai at Hurleston Junction we are up and about early only to find the engine as dead as a door post.  River Canal Rescue called and they can only get to us at 1.30pm  No matter, the engineer duly arrives and hot wires the connection on the left. By now its raining so we call it a day.  The following day we have more of the same, this time its a corroded fuse.  Despite Trev feeling unwell after being up in the night with the trots we set off late morning.

Wharton lock and its started to rain. By now Trev throws in the towel and takes to his bed for a couple of hours. 

Feeling a little brighter we move on to Beeston Iron Lock.

 

Despite it being a wide lock it is unwise to attempt to fit two narrowboats side by side because of the potential snagging points.  Unusually made of iron it was Telfords way of dealing with ground instability.

After 3 locks we decide to call it a day.

After sleeping the clock round plus more Trev is feeling much better and is "greasing his nipples"

This circular building overlooking Tilstone lock was once used by lengthsmen to store their equipment.

Next up is Bunbury Staircase Lock.  Always busy here as this is where  Anglo-Welsh hire boats have their base.

The building on the left is the old stable  block now the offices of Anglo Welsh.

Lucky for us their is a very helpful volunteer operating the staircase and even holds the boat in while Trev takes the opportunity to empty the loo cassettes.

On our way again and its a very sharp left turn before the bridge, thankfully there was nothing coming the other way.

Approaching Barbridge Junction and the Middlewich Arm of the Trent and Mersey Canal.  Had we had passage along the Bridgewater Canal this is where we would have joined the Shropshire Union Canal.  

At last we have made it to Hurleston Junction. this is where the Llangollen Canal joins the Shroppie and where Sokai has been waiting patiently for us to join them.

Sokai following on to Nantwich.

Nantwich Marina to the left.

This boat horse built out of reclaimed lockgates marks the start of the Sculpture Trail along side of the refurbished towpath.

Moored beyond Nantwich aqueduct. We are spending the weekend here.....we need provisions and a pub stop!!!!

Its 4 weeks since we left Scarisbrick and we have done :-

55 miles, 20 locks and 9 swing bridges.