Lots of people live permanently on the canals. We are merely temporary intruders. Sometimes, as we glide past their barges, it’s easy to forget we’re actually driving through their back yards!
So today, we knew from the sign opposite us that we’d better be well-behaved!
No matter, we enjoyed porridge for breakfast, topped with freshly stewed apple, foraged yesterday at Ellesmere (thanks Chef Jen)!
So, we were very careful not to make any noise and definitely not turn on the engines until well after 8am.
However, this did cause another issue!
Literally 100m away from our mooring, and the first challenge of the day, was negotiating the automated lift bridge. Yes, the one cars go over! On their way to work! And what time was it? Morning peak hour!
Under great pressure, lift controller Jen remained calm and composed, turning the key in a clockwise direction, then pressing first the green button followed by the red button. MAGIC!
Both Jen and myself (as official photographer) did a stirling job of avoiding making eye contact with the drivers on their way to work who were now held up for 5 minutes. Sunglasses helped!
After the excitement at the traffic lift bridge, John and I started the day off at the tiller, and oncoming traffic was light. It was cold, but not as cold as yesterday! But the wind had arrived!
We pass many, and I mean many, barge owners with dogs. But occasionally we pass a barge that has stopped to give their cat a break. This absolutely gobsmacked me, knowing how territorial cats are and how skittish they can be. I’d be so worried the cats would run off. But the owners assured me their cats loved the barge way of life. This little fellow Hugo, even had his own catflap!
As we approached the Llangollen/ Shropshire Union Canal Junction, the magnificent Hurleston Reservoir came into view with a perspective we hadn’t seen going the other way. It was covered with a blanket of white birds.
With the weather being so clear, from the top lock, we could see all the way to Mow Cop Castle, a folly built in 1754, nearly 2 days barging away, and on the hill adjacent to where the Harecastle Tunnel bores through underneath it! Amazing!
Passage down the 4 Hurleston Locks was seamless, partly because the locks were set in our favour, but mostly because those volunteers were on hand again to help us through. And no boats coming the other direction helped too!
The wind decided to up the ante round about now, causing havoc entering and exiting locks, turning corners, negotiating passage close to moored boats…it was tricky. And it became windier as the afternoon went on.
Jen and Grahame drew the early afternoon shift and after recovering from too many branches on the Middlewich Branch, we forged ahead for run down to Middlewich.
It was easy to forget where we actually were. One minute, we would be gliding through the countryside relaxing and enjoying our surroundings.
The next minute a train would roar past behind us.
Then we’d turn the next corner, and our wildlife friends would join us for a while.
Contrasts! Love it!
I reckon Grahame hit the jackpot finding us our pub for the night in Middlewich. The White Bear was refurbished, warm welcoming, and had some great dishes on the menu.
Full to the gunwhales, we restocked the cellar and chocolate biscuit supply at Tesco Express (fast becoming my favourite store) and headed back to Ellie.
Another great day!
Kanga And Wombats Adventures 