We really liked where we were last night but decided to give Nantwich a recce so we have moved along to Nantwich. We haven’t been into town yet we will leave that until tomorrow. When we moored up we got talking to the boat behind us and boy was he disgruntled, we must have pressed some button that got him off on one. ‘ I don’t like boats and I don’t like boating’ And then we were subjected to a precise of the last ten to twelve years, basically they have the boat and it is costing them a bomb and they have no money to jump ship. I wonder if he is sitting in his boat now regretting his outburst. Anyway I think that we plan to move around until we have had enough but on the evidence so far it will be a while yet, oh and also at the rate that we move it may take us another 4 years to cover the system although at one stage it was going to take 17 years so somewhere along the line we must have sped up.

Canal Centre Nantwich

Nonworking Horse

Statistics so far:-

1102.07 Miles, 754 Locks, 74 Swing Bridges, 48 Lift Bridges, 10 Tunnels

We moved along again today but have only got as far as Hack Green. We stopped for lunch and then went for a walk and a quick geocache, as it is another lovely spot we decided to stay put. We would have liked to have gone to the nuclear bunker museum close by but it is closed at this time of the year, so if we want to have a look around it will have to be after our NZ trip.

I took a photo of the new marina Overwater which is due to open next year; it is enormous, it is difficult to show on a photograph taken from the canal especially when there are no boats to give it dimension, but it must have moorings for 100’s of boats.

Between Bridges 83 and 84 lies Coole Pilate Leisure Area, this is an area of row upon row of benches with BBQ facilities and boat mooring, I guess it may get crowded in the summer but there is not one boat here today.

Overwater Marina under construction

Canal leisure benches

Today we did 2.96 miles and 2 Locks

Statistics so far:-

1099.63 Miles, 752 Locks, 74 Swing Bridges, 48 Lift Bridges, 10 Tunnels

A walk around Audlem in bright sunshine, the parish church sits atop of a small hillock and dominates the surrounding village in a very impressive way. In the afternoon we had a walk down the canal past the new marine which looks huge, I did take a photograph of it but unfortunately it was into the sun and it looks more like a sunset shot than a picture of an emerging marina.

Audlem Parish Church

View from moorings

Current moorings

Statistics so far:-

1096.67 Miles, 750 Locks, 74 Swing Bridges, 48 Lift Bridges, 10 Tunnels

Yesterday we came down the flight of locks into Audlem and my what a difference a day makes, the photo below shows Frances hopping the gates as we started down the flight, this would have been around 10am and it was as bright as it got all day. We looked at the moorings after lock 11 but they over look a group of houses so we moved on through lock 12 and moored up at the 24 hour moorings and had a walk around town. The moorings were a bit dank and dark, well I guess it was that sort of a day, but walking along the canal we discovered that the moorings on the other side of lock 13 were open and had a beautiful view. It reminded me of a painting of Hampstead Heath at the time of William Blake. I will put a photo up later today for todays blog (this is yesterdays). I would highly recommend this mooring spot.

Frances gate hopping

Today (Friday) we did 1.15 Miles and 11 Locks

Statistics so far:-

1096.67 Miles, 750 Locks, 74 Swing Bridges, 48 Lift Bridges, 10 Tunnels

We were up early and out walking to nab a couple of Geocaches that we had passed last night as it was getting dark. Today the sun was out and it was a beautiful day, that’s what we want rain at night when we are tucked up in comfort and sun during the day.

We setoff with the intention of going to Audlem but when we pulled up after a couple of locks for lunch we thought ‘this is a beautiful place lets stay here, what’s the hurry?’ So this is where we are moored, near bridge 76 and another 10 Locks or so to go before we get into Audlem.

Frances

Bridge 69

Current Location

Today we did 1.47 Miles and 2 Locks

Statistics so far:-

1095.52 Miles, 739 Locks, 74 Swing Bridges, 48 Lift Bridges, 10 Tunnels

We eventually got to the market and had a good old look around stocking up on veggies and I even bought a woolly hat and some socks. It was quite pleasant having a day without rain. We said our good byes to ‘No Problem’ hope to catch up with them again.

After filling up with water we moved on the short distance to Adderley we had only just moored up when darkness fell, one of the problems of cruising in the winter is the short days. We met one boat coming through the locks which meant that the locks were mainly set in our favour. There has been a decidedly dramatic drop in the amount of canal traffic over the last few weeks, we only saw three other boats on the move today.

Sorry about the lack of pictures I seem to have caught a doze of lethargy, at least on that front. But as they say tomorrow is another day and I will get the camera out. Audlem here we come.

Today we did 3.71 Miles and 5 Locks

Statistics so far:-

1094.05 Miles, 737 Locks, 74 Swing Bridges, 48 Lift Bridges, 10 Tunnels

Well this is the plan: The sun is out so we grovel around in the boat, the rain comes and off we go for a walk. Well we didn’t really plan this but that is what happened, its not the first time either nor the last. Last night the fire went out to send us to an early bed.

Fortunately (if that’s the correct word when things go wrong) we have been here before and we knew what to do. This morning I removed the fuel pipe going into the filter next to the fire and there was no fuel. So out with the pump and we sucked the fuel through and we now have a warming fire again. The problem as I have said before is that the fuel tank for the fire should be near the fire not coming from the engine fuel tank, which is situated the full length of the boat from the fire. Fortunately (that word again) this does not happen too often and unless it gets worse we will probably live with it.

I won’t go into the computer problems which have also dogged us and required our undivided and much needed attention. And the boat has the indecency to be called ‘Lazy Days’. Although with our delayed departure we are now in a position to experience the delights of Market Drayton’s famous market, another plus gained from some unfortunate occurrences.

We managed to get in a couple of Geocaches when the boat eventually freed us from our chores; I have to add that this is undoubtedly a temporary respite.

Statistics so far:-

1090.34 Miles, 732 Locks, 74 Swing Bridges, 48 Lift Bridges, 10 Tunnels

Ok so I was too hasty yesterday when I rushed off and had a shower, there was still a leak under the sink. My touch feely leaves a lot to be desired, I had cross threaded the connection to the strainer but fortunately I did not over tighten it too much and once I had removed the pump, I was able to rectify the situation and so now all is in order and I am confident that all will be well. Oh and I haven’t had a shower which must help. Frances says could I hold off from saying that for a day or two.

What a miserable day it was today, we had planned to nip down to the laundrette a mere 4 – 5 mile round trip and then head off. But it was nearly lunch time by the time I was happy with the pump, so we headed off to the laundrette after lunch. We were soaked by the time we got there and it took a full wash and dry before we ourselves were dry, there are some advantages to living in bricks and mortar when you can easily do these things indoors and in the comfort of your own home. Fortunately the weather had brightened up as we finished so the walk home was much better.

Post Script: While I sit here writing this Frances has just handed me a small black rubber washer. Now I know that it was on the end of the pipe so how come it got out and on to the floor? Do rubber washers have the power to regenerate or will I be taking the pump out tomorrow. I feel (hope) that plastic pipes are forgiving in this area

Statistics so far:-

1090.34 Miles, 732 Locks, 74 Swing Bridges, 48 Lift Bridges, 10 Tunnels

Well there I was again lying on the floor with my head under the sink removing the water pump using the touchy feely method as varifocals, light and location all conspire to prevent optical contact with the relevant screw heads. However it didn’t take long to remove the pump, depositing the customary pool of water that invariably accompanies such activities. The reason for this sudden urge to deprive us of our water, well I needed to apply the instant gasket (as identified by Paul on Piston Broke), yes the joint was leaking again.

Well I dismantled the pump and after drying it out applied the gasket leaving it to cure. Reassembled the pump fitted it back in place and then had a shower, yes that is correct it all went smoothly and only time will tell whether it has done the trick, but it certainly looked the business, thanks Paul.

We then decided to head off to the Talbot for Sunday lunch and a pint. I have to say that without a shadow of a doubt (that’s done it) it is the best Sunday Lunch that we have ever had, mind you we haven’t had that many but still it was very very good. We both had pork and the plates arrived with half a pork joint and a huge Yorkshire swiftly followed by a family sized serving dish of the most scrumptious home cooked veggies. This was not a meal for two. The cost for this Feast was £5.95 each.

We had to go into town to get some provisions and we also needed to walk off the meal, on the way we bumped into Sue and Vic on No Problem filling up with water so we had a very pleasant chat with them, it is great to meet up after all this time.

Statistics so far:-

1090.34 Miles, 732 Locks, 74 Swing Bridges, 48 Lift Bridges, 10 Tunnels

We woke up to flat batteries and a dreaded feeling of oh no here we go again. Still it could have been down to an over hammering of the electrical equipment last night. Oh dear.

We decided to nip over to Shrewsbury; we got to the bus stop just as the bus was arriving, which was very fortunate. It took about an hour to get over there, this is the first time that we have been here since Shrewsbury played Watford, not a day we want to remember as if I recall correctly we (Watford) lost 3 – 1 it was dyer.

We walked around for a bit and then bought some Christmas pudding from M&S, we are spending Christmas on the boat and so we thought that we would treat our selves.

Bridge 62 near our mooring

City Walls

Back Street

River Severn

Interesting Courtyard

Statistics so far:-

1090.34 Miles, 732 Locks, 74 Swing Bridges, 48 Lift Bridges, 10 Tunnels