Well stab me vitals, can it really be nearly 3 weeks away? It feels like 3 years. The Shroppie is very busy. An endless stream of boats! At 0805 this morning two heritage boats went by – the powered one towing t’other. Hmm, I bet we catch with those later – and we did! Taking these boats down narrow locks means 4x the time as the butty boat has to be pulled in and out of locks on its long bit of string.
Talking of etiquette – flying a white ensign – only for HM warships and members of the elite Royal Yacht Squadron but inland, it seems you can do what you like!
Viv bought a headscarf from Mudskipper – who make such things and repair canopies – we kept their card, as our cratch cover is wearing.
A rare sight – a turnover bridge (67) designed so the horse needn’t be untied, it can walk under the bridge on the right, up and over and down on the left!
These are planks to shut off the canal, should there be a breach or a need to drain it.
Five locks at Adderley (31 ft down) then we shift over into Cheshire.
Very bucolic – is that the right word? Nice wide canals and pleasant pastures.
Round the corner and it’s the first of the 15 Audlem locks. You can just see the back end of the heritage butty boat.
We got drenched in a big downpour, halfway down! But then the sun came back out once we’d moored up at the visitor moorings (inbetween locks 11 & 12).
Boats were still zooming past in both directions but we are staying put for a day or two. Chance to explore Audlem. 103 miles and 136 locks done already!.
