We were soon in Middlewich after leaving our mooring on the “flashes” at the ungodly hour of 7 o’ clock. We had a good passage through the locks as there were few people around at 8:00.
Turning right at Middlewich to get onto the Middlewich Arm of Shropshire Union Canal we use the shortest canal in the country: the Wardle Canal at just 154 feet long. This is it – from the bridge to Wardle lock 150 feet ahead!
We don’t know why but Wardle lock seems to have something which others don’t. It’s good to see Maureen’s old lock cottage is now being lived in.
The views from the Middlewich Arm across the countryside are truly wonderful. A great pleasure on a nice day.
We’d got a ‘wiggle’ on to get to Nantwich by mid afternoon as we only had a small ‘window’ in which to catch up with our dear friends Eileen and Bill before they left for a holiday. We had coffee at the little café in Nantwich marina before going back to their home for a chat and a glass of wine with them. Marvellous to catch up with them and it was well worth starting early that morning in order to see them.
Another lovely meet–up on Sunday evening was with boating friends Richard and Sue (nb “Indigo Dream”). We haven’t seen them for quite a while so it was a well overdue catch-up chat and over a lovely meal at The Thatch, at Faddiley.
Sue and Richard also popped in on Monday morning with a couple of jars of Sue’s wonderful (fund raising) marmalade. They also came armed with four of the most enormous cakes which went down very well with a fresh brew of coffee. So very good to see them both again.
These are a few views of charming Nantwich – so rich in history and architecture. The parish church has an unusual octagonal tower.
Much timbered construction to be enjoyed.
The River Weaver flows quietly through the town.
The superb Black Lion pub just has to be frequented when you visit the town.
The CAMRA pub is sensational inside ……..
…… it’s olde world charm is very inviting ………
…… and it’s garden space is very snug and lovely.
While relaxing back on board ”Chance”, nb “Inca” with Gary and Carolyn on board came past. We haven’t see them for a very long time. We had a good boat-to-boat chat and Carolyn gave us a jar of her newly made damson jam. Thank you guys for stopping for a chat and a lovely reminder of our Devon years.
On Tuesday afternoon our dear friend George, who’d recently entertained us with a wonderful evening at his home at Stockton Heath, arrived in his superbly turned out boat “Lady Patricia”. He, and friend David, came round to dinner on “Chance” where we were enjoying a relaxing time when, suddenly, there was one of those ‘exciting moments’ on the canal.
A “floating home” shall we call it (!) was approaching, at tick over speed very thankfully, with the steerer completely the worse for wear! He hadn’t a clue which way he was going or what he collided with.
After fending him away from “Chance” three times George and James headed round to where “Lady Patricia” was moored to do the same there. You couldn’t really be angry with him as he was such a happy man!
He even smiled for the camera! We don’t know who he was (and he probably doesn’t know himself come to that!) but we wish him well and hope he got to his destination safely!
Next to “Lady Patricia” was the lovely, Hudson boat “Barolo”, owned by blog readers, who were very grateful for the help to protect their boat as well.
Anyway, back to dinner on “Chance”. Manchester friend Donroy had arrived for dinner during the exciting proceedings and we all had a hoot of evening together. Doug, Donroy, George and David. Thanks for making the evening such a fun occasion all of you.
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