Back to Nantwich–again!

We spent a few days moored not far above Bunbury Locks before turning around and heading back south.

One of the jobs that needed doing but that I’d been putting off was to deal with the decidedly forlorn looking dinette cushions. Fourteen years of use had left their mark – literally! They were made by Wilsons of Kinver so are of good quality material and are zipped, but I was still worried how they’d turn out, especially redoing the buttoning! I needn’t have been concerned, a trip through the washer left them looking like new and the buttoning wasn’t a huge problem…

Turning around above Bunbury Locks on Tuesday.

We stopped at Calveley to top up the water tank but held on to the rubbish for when we got to Nantwich today. The bin compound was already ankle deep in rubbish strewn from ripped open bags…

Then another short stop was made as I trotted across the road to grab bread and milk from the shop at the Texaco garage near Bridge 103a. We carried on, now in the rain, to moor just shy of Barbridge Junction.

We took a day off yesterday then headed off to Nantwich this morning.

Chris and Leslie on Rosie II were moored a little further on…

Just beyond the junction the channel narrows where a gauging lock was once installed. This is where craft would be checked for draught and the resulting tonnage calculation used to determine tolls due. Different cargos attracted different rates per ton.

Between here and Junction Bridge old maps show a building straddling the canal, a photo from the 1950s, found on Midway Boats’ website shows it was a transhipment warehouse.

The roof of the toll-keeper’s house can be seen to the right in both pictures. The small hut to the right was once attached to the warehouse.

The temporary Meccano bridge was erected the other day to replace Goodwin’s, Bridge 101, which was closed for resurfacing work on the main road.

Giving way to the high bow of Tench, built in 1936 at Yarwoods in Northwich for Fellows, Morton and Clayton. I wasn’t arguing…

 

Autumn is on the doorstep!

We topped off the water tank again, got rid of rubbish and recycling and slotted handily on the end on the moorings on Nantwich Embankment. We’ll have a couple of days in town to top up the cupboards and pick up some items I’ve ordered online, then we’ll toddle off again.

Locks 0, miles 5½ 

Another week, another update.

The highlight of the last week was a visit by George and Carol, during which we went for a day’s cruise up to this side of Audlem and back. Their boat, the highly specified and well maintained wide-beam Still Rockin’ is up for sale and they’re temporarily renting a property. Tuesday was a chance for them to get a boat fix… 

But before that we headed further along the Middlewich Branch last Saturday, pulling in above Cholmondeston Lock for the rest of the weekend.

Bridge 18, currently under repair.

Looking down across the Weaver valley to Church Minshull.

Venetian Marina, just below Cholmondeston Lock.

We took a day off on Sunday, then Monday we cruised the last 1¼ miles to Barbridge Junction and turned left up to Nantwich.

Barbridge Junction Bridge 1, with a couple of boats heading our way after turning in off the main line.

The offside bank below Hurleston Reservoir has become a popular mooring spot in recent weeks, and I can see why. But the landowner, presumably the water authority, disagrees.

 

But not everyone is taking notice…

So on to Tuesday and George and Carol arrived mid-morning, and after a brew and something to eat we headed off southwards.

Going up Hack Green Locks.

Must be a good view from up there!

We arrived back in the town late afternoon and said farewell to our guests after a really enjoyable day. Thanks guys!

We seem to be alternating between dry, sunny days and wet windy ones. We stayed put on Wednesday watching the rain come down, then yesterday, after topping up the food cupboards, we left Nantwich, this time heading north.

Over Nantwich Aqueduct

A stop at the wharf saw the rubbish and recycling disposed of and the water tank topped up, then we got going again, pulling in for the afternoon and night just up from Henhull Bridge.

A fine evening walk with Amber.

This elusive little chap tried to avoid the camera but I got him just as he took off…

That cycle of good days and bad is coming to an end, rain forecast later today so we got going soon after nine, past Hurleston and Barbridge Junctions and on towards Chester.

A few boats on the Hurleston lock flight.

All being well we’ll be heading up there ourselves next week.

Barbridge Junction.

It’s some time since we went north from Barbridge, usually we head across the branch to Middlewich. But we thought we’d have a change.

It’s an awkward, blind S bend under the A51 at Wardle Farm Bridge and I remember thinking that it’s not a good place to meet another boat…

…so of course we did!

Calveley Wharf and moorings.

There’s a waterways depot here now, but the area was once sidings used for transhipping goods to and from the canal and the adjacent railway.

Just around the corner and under Bridge 104 are mooring rings and we pulled on here to wait out the stormy weekend weather.

Since the last post – Locks 6, miles 25½