Market Dayton to Audlem

After a final visit into Market Drayton yesterday to pick up a few bits and bobs we were off, we were going to stop for water but with two boats already there we decided not to, we still had plenty left it was just a top up. There were a few moored boats around town so we were going quite slow and it wasn't long before one of the boats had left the water point and had taken a liking to our rear end! On the nice long stretch with permanent moorings on the offside the idiot decided to overtake us. Once we had passed the line of moored boats we were up to normal speed which was about the same as them, it was a couple of miles to the locks and at every bridge hole they virtually stopped, but continued normal speed by any moored boats, whereas we were slowing down by the moored boats so we got to the locks a minute or so behind them, why is it that some people just have to be in front?

The Adderley Locks

One of the many farms

We did the five locks in the Adderley flight and called it a day at the top of the Audlem locks.

Overnight mooring at the top of Audlem Locks

This morning we took a wander down the flight to see where would be best to moor as we want to stay for a few days and the stretch below the bottom lock looked lovely.

So we set off in glorious sunshine and did the fifteen locks, stopping off at the Shroppie Fly, unfortunately just for water at the point outside, we'll head back there for a drink sometime as its only a short walk away. 

The Audlem flight of 15 locks

Northwards we go, only 7 miles to Nantwich

Work boat stopped for lunch, took them nearly all day to go down the flight

This little hut is right by the lock

I stopped for a rest, but the fire wasn't alight

A bit further down and the old stable block

Spring has arrived, lovely blossom in the sun

Just stopped for a water top up this time, we'll be back!

Loved this old water pump,  you can just imagine the work boats filling up the Buckby cans

We're now moored in a lovely rural stretch with a view over Cheshire farmland with fields of cows with their calves and a pond with proper geese, as well as the Canadian ones.

And finally moored up for a few days

With a lovely view from the side hatch

7 miles and 20 locks

Total 75.7 miles and 73 locks