It’s the first Saturday of the month and a new year, so it’s off to the Farmer’s Market in Stone. To buy black pudding (Chilli, smoked bacon and fruity ones!), oatcakes, sausage rolls & more! We’ve been before – on the boat but we thought we’d drive up – some 100 minutes away and then on to Audlem to meet Viv’s friend Nicola & son, George. Overwater marina is not far away and they have a cafe, so that seemed a good spot to meet up – plus we get to have a look-see at another marina.
A new canal – the Shropshire Union or Shroppie
Work to replace a lock gate – the whole was drained
A nice but muddy walk along the Shroppie
A beautiful wharf house – it would make an ideal base – tie up the boat alongside for winter then rent out over the Summer??
That short walk brought us to Moss Hall aqueduct over the river Weaver, yes, the same mighty river we encountered on our trip to Liverpool.
Back to that empty lock! Not often you get to see to the bottom of one.
Overwater Marina – voted best marina, two years running, was our final stop. Situated on the Shroppie it looks very neat and peaceful. It’s a well designed marina – with an island in the middle plus a ground-source heat pump system to keep the offices/toilets and showers warm underfoot. It has a lovely cafe and all the usual shop things for moorers.
Iron bridge over the marina entrance
Toby’s had a few walks already today but always happy to explore!
Interesting layout with double linear berths (cheaper) and then individual berths at set lengths.
Smart & tidy office/shower rooms/toilets & cafe – with free wi-fi to the whole marina.
The usual facilities – note the price for the pump out!
Some extra things like bikes to be used plus a car club scheme and also a workshop on site for boat repairs etc. There’s also a hire boat fleet based here, as well as a day boat for hire and a trip boat that chugs down to Audlem in the Summer.
It was nice to meet up with Nicola & George (6 and a half!), who enjoyed a walk around the marina – looking at all the boats. It was a long day but the drive was great – A5 and A51 – almost empty and very swift. Recommend it.