Nantwich to Norbury Junction

Mon 20th Aug  Nantwich to Audlem

James went to fetch a few BCF leaflets from Sola Gratia. Although we wanted to go south, we were pointing north after our return from Hack Green and Overwater Marina, so we needed to turn the boat round. We called first at the sanitary station to empty a cassette and dispose of rubbish, and then we turned round at the entrance to Nantwich Basin, at one time the end of the Chester Canal.

Turning round

Hazel steering over the aqueduct

Then we returned over the aqueduct and along the embankment past Sola Gratia and Eunoia (still locked up and no sign of Diana and Roger).  We passed through the two Hack Green Locks, and were pleased to see a kingfisher flying past.

Hack Green Locks

Badger setts

Canada Geese

Overwater Marina

The cafe

After Overwater Marina we arrived at Audlem Bottom Lock.  We went up through two locks and found a mooring just where we had hoped to be, between locks 14 and 13.

Audlem Bottom Lock

Audlem Locks

We went to visit Audlem Mill, where there is an amazing collection of old canal books for sale. Upstairs is a craft area, where Hazel bought some crochet hooks.

We checked with the Shroppie Fly about the music session, and no-one seemed to know about it, although it happens every Monday.  There is no mention of it on their website.  After a phone call back, we established that it was definitely due to happen.  We contacted Roger (Ragged Robin) who said he would see us there later. He arrived earlier than us, and was also told when he arrived that the music night was on Saturday. That is when they have a rock band doing a gig, and not the folk session.

Shroppie Fly

We turned up, not knowing quite what to expect. One or two others arrived with instruments, and they were also visitors. A guy with a mandolin joined our table, and he was from a boat called Captain G. Eventually some regulars arrived, and some music started. There was a group of seven people who had drums, bass guitar, electric guitar, accordion and mandolin. Their acoustic guitarist had come without his guitar! He borrowed James’s. There were also some fiddle players and another two guitars. It was good fun, although the standards were not very high. We sang five songs.

Roger

Captain G

4 locks, 6 miles

Tue 21st Aug  Audlem to Betton Wood

Before we moved, James nipped into town to visit a cash machine and return with some milk.  He waved farewell to Captain G as he was setting off in the direction of Nantwich.

We were moored between locks 14 and 13, where there is also a water tap. As we were ready to set off, there were lots of boats going each way, and we agreed with a boat moored in front of us that they would go for the water point, and we would go through the lock. If they were going through the lock, we would have gone to the water point.

So we went up through lock 13, and the facilities wharf was free, so we moored up, connected the hose, and started to empty cassettes and rubbish. James took a cassette into the dustbin compound because the signs were the wrong way round.

Rubbish with an elsan sign

Elsan with a rubbish sign

The next boat up through the lock behind us also wanted the water point, as there were now three boats on the one below.  They tied onto some bollards, but they were blocking any further boats coming up through the lock. When another boat appeared, rising in the lock, we decided to call it a day, and we turned off the tap and moved on, leaving us three quarters full.

The next lock was number 12, which has a narrow approach and a strong side flow.

Approaching Lock 12

After this lock there is a stretch of moorings, and a boat had just left, travelling in front of us, with two ladies aboard, who kept leaving the top gates open because boats were coming down, even if they were two locks away.  The first time it happened we waited for the boat coming down to emerge from the lock above, but there had been ample time for us to use the lock, and there was plenty of water coming down. Boats were stacking up behind us, so the next time it happened, James shut the gate they had left, and used the lock anyway. We managed to put a lock between us and the boat behind, and that helped even out the boats properly.

After 13 locks of the Audlem flight, we bought ice creams at the top lock, and consumed them during the 25 minute cruise to the five Adderley Locks. Thankfully the two ladies had moored up for lunch.

Adderley Lock 4

It was very hot and sunny by the time we arrived at Adderley Top Lock, and soon after, the towpath changes sides at bridge 67, and we moored up beyond, where we would have shade.

Moored near Betton Wood Bridge 66

Hugo was very pleased with the location, and in his excitement, he rolled over a few times on the grass, and rolled into the gap between the bank and the boat. He rushed back onto the towpath with eyes wide with shock. I confess that we both laughed a lot!

Later he brought in a mouse, and was told to take it out again, which he did. However, a few minutes later we discovered that he had brought it in again, as some of it was on the floor!

The two ladies passed us, heading for Market Drayton.

Sunset at Betton Wood

18 locks, 4 miles, 1 mouse

Wed 22nd Aug  Betton Wood to Goldstone Bridge

Rope marks at Betton Wood Bridge

After a warm humid night, we set off fairly early. We spotted a boat called Double Measures that we spent time with in Hertford a while back. There was no sign of Dave and Marian.

Remains of the railway bridge

Double Measures

26 miles to Autherley

We passed through Market Drayton without incident and without stopping. We noticed that the boats on the visitor mooring line were all pointing north, and none were pointing south, where we were going.  We joked that they had all just left and would be queuing at the locks ahead.

When we arrived at Tyrley Bottom Lock there were three boats in front of us, so what we had jokingly predicted was in fact the case.  The boat immediately in front was the one with the two ladies from yesterday!

Lock queue at Tyrley Locks

There were strong side flows on the first lock, where the canal is cut into rock.

Challenging side flows

There were no boats coming down to begin with, so we just emptied each lock again after a boat had left.

When we had gone through the first two we met three boats, so we just swapped places in each pound, which made it easier.

Water art

Tyrley Top Lock

Tyrley Top Lock was one we had to empty, as the two ladies had just used it, and there was no-one coming down. As we left the lock, closing it behind us, we saw that the two ladies were still in sight not far ahead.   We soon caught them up, and had to slow to tickover to follow behind them very  S L O W L Y .  There was nowhere to pass as we were almost at Woodseaves Cutting, a mile long narrow section cut through rock.

Woodseaves cutting

Of course, the slower you go, the more likely you are to meet other boats in the narrow bit, and this happened twice. At one point it looked as though our two ladies were trying to get their boat onto the towpath to get out of the way.

Trying to leave the canal

Narrow passing place

Despite going at crawling pace, the cutting was very impressive, with very high bridges and steep sides full of ferns.

Woodseaves Cutting

High Bridge

Moored near Goldstone Bridge

We stopped for the day soon after the cutting, at Goldstone Bridge. The plan was to eat at the Wharf Tavern, so James went to make sure the pub would be open and serving food. It was a large pub with lots of numbered tables. He had a look at the menu and said we would be back this evening.  When we arrived at about 6.30pm we noticed reserved signs on most of the tables. We had to queue up to talk to someone, and while we waiting they were taking bookings over the phone. We did find an unreserved table, and we ordered our meal. Everything came with “fries”, even curry and rice. The food was OK, but everything was very separate. The salad had its own bowl, as did the chips, the coleslaw, and the tartare sauce. So we had one big plate with a piece of breaded plaice on it, as well as four bowls on the plate.  When we came to pay there were queues of people waiting.

As well as good moorings opposite, the pub has a camping and caravan site, so many of the campers come in for a meal. We probably won’t stop here again, but if we do, we will make sure we have booked a table.

The Wharf Tavern

It rained while we were in the pub, but it had mostly stopped by the time we returned to the boat.  Later that evening Hugo caught a mouse.

5 locks, 6 miles, 1 mouse

Thu 23rd Aug  Goldstone Bridge to Norbury

The weather was much cooler, as had been forecast, and there was a trace of autumn mist on the water.

Mist

James did some engine maintenance, changing the oil, adjusting the belts and tightening the stern gland. He doesn’t fit easily into the engine compartment, so he doesn’t venture there very often. Tim on Sola Gratia came past to witness the event.

We filled the water tank at the tap that is not shown in the Nicholson Guide. Ours is 2006, but it is not in the latest one either.

We spotted some unusual ducks, presumably descended from something in a farm. We also had a view over to the Wreckin, 12 miles away.

Ducks

The Wreckin

Invasive Sumac trees

The canal here is alternately cutting and embankment. We were on an embankment for the view of the Wreckin, but very soon were in a cutting again.

Cutting

We passed Knighton Wharf, where goods were shipped to Cadbury’s Bournville Factory. Sadly they couldn’t spell Bournville on the sign.

Knighton Wharf

Bournville notice

Perhaps the same person made this sign:

Slow down

We had no locks or swing bridges to stop for, and we even went past the Anchor pub at High Offley without stopping. We had met some people yesterday who had suggested we didn’t go there because it was old fashioned! That’s the whole point! Hazel had time to work on a hat she is making.

Anchor Inn

Hat making

That telegraph pole again

Embankment

Cutting

We had close encounters with a kingfisher, which flew past us three times very close to the boat.  We stopped at Norbury Junction, and went to explore. There is a cafe which serves breakfast, although we may move on early as rain is forecast later. There is also a chandlery where we bought a fender and hazel bought a teapot with a built in tea strainer.

We met Darren and Sue on Kinley Lady who were interested in BCF. We also met Martin on Audacious, last seen in Middlewich.

Hugo met a large black and white cat and had a run in. Into the boat, that is.

0 locks, 8 miles