Farewell “Shroppie” and Hello Birmingham!

It was 6:30, and dark, on Wednesday morning when we set sail from our mooring at bridge 8 on the Shroppie ……..

……… but it was light, and no need for the headlights, when we got to the stop lock at the end of the Shropshire Union canal at Autherley Junction ………….

…….. and another half an hour before we got to the start of the 21 locks in the Wolverhampton flight at Aldersley Junction.

Two and a half hours later, and one dry pound (which the CRT chaps sorted for us almost before we got there) we were at the top of the Wolverhampton locks. Not having ‘done’ the flight before we were more than pleased with the general level of maintenance and it was really quite pretty in parts. Our trip up was nicely finished off by the attractive appearance around lock 1.

Our journey continued through a rather dirty stretch of canal from the top of the locks to our stop over at the Black Country Museum. Meeting a hire boat on the wrong side of the canal (and on a bend!) required an emergency stop which resulted in a large piece of carpet caught around the prop and the fourth time on that stretch when James had to get his head down in the weed hatch.

This morning (Thursday) we left the Black Country Museum to continue our journey into Birmingham. After an hour we had reached the rather exciting stretch of canal (for James at least!) which passes several times under the M5.

Strange to think that the motorway users at this point have no idea that they’re right above the “motorway” of the 19th century.

Out in the daylight for a while we passed over the ‘New Line’ which is the alternative, but less interesting, route to Wolverhampton.

Then it was back under the M5 again – this time have some major maintenance work carried out.

Finally we got out from underneath and experiencing the contrast between the ancient and the modern.

Still being dominated by M5 it was interesting to get a boaters eye view of the gigantic LED adverts we see along the motorways.

Then, rather weirdly, we were plunged back into very familiar canal scenery for a while.

Nearing the three locks on this stretch of canal it was nice to see the “new” Smethick Pumping Station!

Then, after a couple of hours since the start, Birmingham sprung up before us!

It’s been a couple of years since our last visit – a city we’ve always enjoyed, and we’re looking forward to the next few days to enjoy it again.

“Brum” bound

Our lovely weekend in Nantwich continued on Sunday when friends Bill and Eileen took us to lunch. A very good meal and lovely company was the order of the day. After lunch we had a tour of B & E’s enormous and luxurious motor home before going back to their home for coffee.

After saying a sad farewell to Bill and Eileen, and thanking them for all their help and hospitality, we set sail from Nantwich and headed out for a quiet mooring. We stopped with this milepost outside the galley window.

Monday saw us at popular little Audlem by mid morning ………

………. and it was fairly quiet for once.

Ascending the fifteen locks out of Audlem was a bit slow with about six boats all going the same way and meeting only two coming down. However, with the boat crews before and after us all helping each other we had a pleasant time. This lovely old barrel-roofed workshop next to lock 10 was used by the workers during the days when the flight was (pro-actively) maintained!

There was time for James to leave the tiller for 3 minutes and pick a bowl of Damsons as they hung thick on the tree.

Peering through bridge 77 we could see locks 6,5,& 4 ahead of us before bridge 76 in the distance.

The penultimate lock in the flight and where else could you find this wonderful sight – picnickers having lunch next to a lock with a narrow boat entering and a tired, but still smiling, Doug resting against the gate beam. Like an illustration out of an Enid Blyton book!

After skipping up the 5 locks of the Adderley flight (which, surprise, surprise James did!) we arrived and departed Market Drayton without our usual shopping stop and headed out towards the charming flight of locks at Tyrley.

Pretty to say the least, the approach to the Tyrley flight (pronounced ‘Turley’) is cut out of solid sandstone …….

………. and the canal bottom is also solid sandstone and very uneven! The risk of grounding or scraping the base of the boat is very real as we found out.

Just a couple more pics ………

……. of this very pretty ascent …………

…….. to the top lock and then 17 lock-free miles ahead. We had risen 154 feet and worked 25 locks – we slept well that night!

Leaving our mooring at bridge 47 on Monday morning we traversed the huge Shebdon Embankment and into the Grub Street Cutting which, in places, is 80 feet deep. This is a well worn photo of the strange bridge 39 which carries the A 519 across the canal.

Past Norbury Junction and on through Gnosall Heath (where some wag has doctored a sign to read “_no_ all”!) where the only tunnel on the Shropshire Union canal – the 80 yard long Cowley Tunnel ………

………. is hewn from solid rock and totally unlined.

After stopping at Wheaton Aston for fuel top up (55p / litre), and a free pump out as someone had left the machine on pause(!) and then to take on water we carried on through the fabulous Lapley Wood Cutting ………..

…….then over the elegant Stretton Aqueduct which carried us over the old Roman Road of Watling Street (now the A5).

It was afternoon of unusual boats as we passed this little beauty “Cutter” …..

……. and this one - “Elizabeth” ……………

……. and this tiny little “scale” narrow boat (compare it with the van!).

Some of the boats at Brewood, on the private moorings, are “low mileage” examples!

The fabulous “old England” view of Brewood as we headed for our mooring at bridge 8 is just one of the best there is.

Cheshire Treasures

Tuesday night was spent about a mile before the newly renovated Lion Salt Works and we were going to pop in on Wednesday morning now that it’s open to the public, but due to the ‘permanent moorers’ filling up just about every space either side of the bridge we couldn’t get in. Such a pity as the Lion Salt Works must be losing a lot of trade. 

Sailing on, James had his “fix” of industry as we passed through the massive chemical works (now seemingly owned by Tata) just before Broken Cross. Steam was shrieking out of a tall stack and the air was filled with lovely chemical smells (James idea of fun!).

The historical mining of salt beneath this area of Cheshire has made the land very prone to subsidence which is the cause of the large expanses of water known as the “flashes” a bit further up the canal. All the bridges over the canal have been built very simply in order that they might be corrected when they too subside. No lovely brick arches here!

We’ve passed this ‘marina in waiting’ around bridge 181 about three years running and noting seems to have altered. We’re amazed at the length of the pontoons – you can get at least six good length narrow boats down each one. Who would want to walk the length of those to get to your boat at the far end?

Mooring on one of the lovely “flashes” overnight, we awoke to the most wonderful sunrise and mirror-calm water on Thursday morning.

The canal map gives the impression that Middlewich isn’t too far but it’s a good old slog from the far “flashes” to Big Lock. Originally built to take wide beam salt and coal barges from the Mersey ports into Middlewich, the lock was completely useless as the tunnels the other side of Anderton were only built to take narrow beam craft. Lack of communication seems to be as rife in the 18th century as it is today!

While Doug did a bit of shopping in Middlewich, James took the opportunity to wipe down “Chance” from stem to stern. On his own, this is the best ‘selfie’ he could manage.

To help us up the three single locks at Middlewich and, as he missed catching up with us in Liverpool, our friend Dave drove over for a spot of exercise and a good old chin wag.

Between locks 73 and 72 there’s a tight right-angled bend which is a bit of a task with just one boat but there’s a good chance of meeting another boat trying to manoeuvre as well! Thanks to Dave we have a great shot of sod’s law in action!

As we turned of the Trent and Mersey canal we passed along the Wardle canal which, at just a few metres from the bridge to the lock, is the shortest on the system.

The other side of Wardle Lock and on the Middlewich Arm of the Shropshire Union Canal (it all gets terribly complicated!) we stopped for a spot of lunch on board before Dave took his leave to drive back to Liverpool. It was short and sweet Dave but great to catch up again and thanks for the helping hand.

After a good hours cruising we got to our pre-ordained rendezvous with friends Di and Steve at Church Minshull. They’d driven out from the Wirral to catch up with us ………

……..and, after the obligatory drinks and nibbles on board “Chance” we walked the short distance into Church Minshull to the Badger Inn for a bite to eat. James killed two birds with one stone here to capture both treasured friends and a treasured porch. (James is a great porch fan and this was a great porch)

In “The Badger” which, three years’ ago was derelict when we passed, we had a truly superb meal – the desserts of which were killers! Highly recommended for both food and welcome. Di and Steve, it was a great pleasure to meet up again after so long.

Friday saw us move from Church MInshull to the lovely Nantwich. Full of the most lovely buildings, lots of black and white and terribly crooked …….

….. and little treasures of the past which get hidden away unless your keep your eyes open.

Another of the star attractions of Nantwich, apart from it’s ancient buildings, (more pics of which will follow) are our friends Eileen and Bill (ex nb “New Dawn”. Today (Saturday) we walked from the canal to have lunch with them at home. A pleasure as always, we had a good few hours enjoying their company and food – and the weekend is not yet over ………………………………