Middlewich to Nantwich

We decided to make an early start as there were still a lot of boats around from the festival and we guessed a few would be off as well. We made good time up the first three locks out of Middlewich, as we were going into the second lock a couple of boats came round the corner behind us. We met one one coming down at the third so lucky we didn't meet that one in the narrow bit by Middlewich Boats, the water levels were really down on this section and the moored hire boats were at very odd angles. 

At the junction, we left the Trent and Mersey Canal, which we seem to have been on for ages, I love the locks on the T&M as they all have the little bridges at the bottom which saves me walking round and round the lock opening and closing gates. We turned right onto the very small section of Wardle Canal which becomes the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union. We had a brief wait at Wardle Lock as one was coming down and straight through the next one. The next section is very rural and there are some lovely views across The Flashes and the River Weaver. On reaching Minshull Locjk we came across a queue we were about sixth so I made some bacon sandwiches whilst we waited, by the time we had finished eating there were only two ahead so I went off to help them through, unfortunately the favour wasn't returned by the queue of four behind us, all still waiting at the boat for their turn, as there was nothing coming down someone would have to come up and get the lock ready.

This photo doesn't do the view justice

The queue behind us

At Cholmondeston Lock the queue ahead had dispersed, so I guess the previous lock had just been very slow filling and took slightly longer to get through. We were soon at Barbridge Junction where it was a left turn onto The Shropshire Mainline and we continued on all the way to Nantwich passing Hurleston Junction and the start of the Llangollen Canal. We arrived around 4pm and were very lucky to get a great mooring spot on the aqueduct.

Moored in Nantwich

I love the town of Nantwich with all its lovely buildings, it is a fair distance from the canal but a lovely walk down Welsh Row with many listed buildings.

Yum, went a bit creative with my cake this time

Just one of the many lovely buildings in the town

14 Miles and 7 locks

TOTAL 267.5 miles and 249 locks

Cholmondeston to Middlewich

After a quick overnight stay we set off Sunday morning (8th June), arriving at Cholmondeston Lock with a queue both ways. I went off windlass in hand to help, there were three on the boat in front of us and they did nothing but moan how slow it all was but made no attempt to assist others. In fact on one boat coming up he approached the lock telling us to raise the paddles completely straight away to speed things up, not something the owner of the boat in the lock was prepared to do and held his ground and not be bullied into it, after all it was his boat in the lock he can operate how he feels safe to do so. Luckily there was no sign of Mr Impatient by the time we got to the next lock.

We continued winding our way towards Middlewich and stopped by bridge 26 to check things out in the town as the Middlewich Festival was on on 13-15 June and not being sure what was happening where.

On Tuesday 10th we made our way through the remaining two locks on the Middlewich Branch and turned left onto the Trent and Mersey canal heading north. A further 3 locks on and through the reserved area for the historic boats, past Town Wharf and where the floating market would be, past the 48 hour moorings and finally down through Big Lock in the rain before mooring shortly after.

Watching the cows cross the bridge for milking

Moored just down from Big Lock

9.5 miles and 8 locks

Total 247 miles and 158 locks

Beeston to Cholmondeston

Shortly after mooring up at Beeston we heard the whistle of a steam train, looking out it was actually the steam boat President with butty Kildare.

The following day we were busy collecting a new store of logs, James has noticed a huge bough of an Ash tree which had come down near Wharton's Lock it was too good an opportunity not to stop. James was out with the chain saw and cut off manageable rounds, which were hauled back to LJ and I chopped them into logs, while he was busy being creative. We now have another good supply of logs.

Lots of work to get them all chopped into logs

Finally the sun came out to get a picture of our view

On Saturday (7th June) we set off again our mission at Beeston having been accomplished. It was back up through the Bunbury Staircase where we did the Bunbury Shuffle this time, LJ and an Anglo Welsh hire boat up and one down. We were just out of the locks when the heavens opened and we had a terrific thunder storm, no photos of the lightening as it was too wet to get the camera out. We stopped off for water in the downpour at Calveley, which has the unique feature of being an old wharf and undercover, it wasn't too long before the sun came out again.

Bunbury staircase

Stopping for water, the sun made an appearance to dry up all the rain

At Barbridge Junction we did a left turn to head down the Middlewich Branch, it had turned into a lovely evening after the storms, stopping at Cholmondeston just after Bridge 4 and before Venetian Marina.

6.25 miles and 6 locks

Total 238.5 miles and 150 locks

Nantwich to River Weaver Aqueduct (Middlewich Branch)

It was Good Friday when we left Nantwich and very busy it was too, we were guessing due to the Jazz Festival in the town over the Easter weekend. On leaving we felt as though we were part of a boat parade, we were in a long line of boats going through the moorings. We were soon passed the moored boats and the parade started to separate a bit. It wasn't long before we came to the first junction, Hurleston, with the Llangollen canal off to the left, we carried on ahead and will come back this way after the Easter break when hopefully it will be a little quieter. 

Passing the Llangollen Canal at Hurleston Junction, we will be back

Next up was Barbridge Junction with the Middlewich Branch, we'll be heading right here after stopping at the elusive water point to top up. 

LJ at the water point

We'll be heading up here, the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union

Passing by this herd of cows

The grey and white one was being very vocal

Approaching the first lock of the day we could see a boat just going in so James moored up while I went to see if anyone was coming up, yes there was a quite a queue, five boats were waiting. We took our turn and headed off again with the same at the next lock, did they all know something we didn't? We passed Aqueduct Marina and then over the aqueduct itself with the River Weaver far below and moored up a couple of hundred yards after. Its a nice spot so we'll probably stay a few days, to avoid the rush of Easter boats.

And over the River Weaver

Moored up for Easter

James made friends with the locals

On Saturday we took a walk to the nearest village, Church Minshull where we were surprised to find a pub there as our guide book didn't mentioned one, then a stroll back down the towpath to LJ.

7 miles and 2 locks
Total 89.7 miles and 77 locks