Nantwich to Barbridge (Shropshire Union Canal)

Going over Nantwich Aqueduct

Leaving Nantwich Aqueduct

 The sun was shining as we set off from Nantwich, over the Nantwich Aqueduct, then stopped at the water point to fill up and get rid of the rubbish, etc. When  that was all done, we headed along the canal, there was quite a lot of boats coming the other way, the sky clouded over and we had a bit of rain, not too much, then it went over and the sun came out and stayed out until the evening.  We went past the junction with the Llangollen Canal, there was a queue of a couple of boats waiting to go up the locks. We aim to do that canal next year.  On we went to Barbridge and moored opposite the Olde Barbrdige Inn.  There are a lot of moorings there, they go right down almost to the junction with the Middlewich Branch and they were quite empty when we got there, but filled up towards the end of the afternoon.  We chilled out for a bit, had lunch, then as it was such a nice afternoon, we went for a walk up the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal to Venetian Marina.  We thought it was about a mile walk according to the Nicholson Guide but it turned out to be a bit longer than that, about 1.9 miles each way!  There is a café at Venetian, so we had refreshments and sat by the canal for a while watching the boats going through the lock which is by the café.  We then walked back to the boat.  We went to the Barbridge Inn for tea.  The food was really nice.  Walked back to the boat and chilled out for the rest of the evening.  Chugging off again tomorrow, not too far though!

Moored Opposite The Olde Barbridge Inn

 

Venetian Marina Cafe

The Olde Barbridge Inn

Coole Pilate Leisure Area to Nantwich (Shropshire Union Canal)

 The sun was shining as we set off from Coole Pilate but there were big black clouds coming nearer all the time, just hope they hold off until we get moored up again.  Off up the canal we went to Hack Green locks, there was a boat in front of us and one coming up, so waited for our turn and down through the locks we went, there was another one waiting to come up, so had help to do the gates which was nice.  On we chugged to Nantwich and the black cloud was getting nearer, we moored up before the aqueduct and shortly after it rained quite heavily for a time, so we had lunch and by the time we were ready to go out, the rain had stopped and the sun was out, so we walked into Nantwich.  It is a really nice town with lots of black and white buildings.  We did a bit of shopping, stopped for a coffee, then walked back to the boat.  Chilled out for the rest of the evening.  Staying here tonight, then heading off tomorrow, gosh all this travelling, we’re not used to it!!

Below Lock 15 to Coole Pilate Leisure Area (Shropshire Union)

Saturday 5^th July

Me, Jane & Anthea enjoying the Pimms!

Party on the Park

Enjoying the sun & the Music

It’s the Party on the Park tonight, was a bit cloudy first thing, but has brightened up, so hopefully it will be dry for tonight.  We were able to take our chairs up to the field this morning, so we walked up and met Jane there and some others who were putting up a gazebo on our patch.  Kev helped them put it up, then we left our chairs there and walked back to the boat.  I made some tarts, cake and cheese biscuits to take  with us this evening.  Chilled out for a bit, then got our things together, put our food and drink in our shopping trolley and walked up to the field.  There were a lot of people there already.  The sun was out and it was a lovely afternoon.  Jane, Dave and Anthea turned up soon after and we broke out the Pimms.  The music started around 6pm and the first band on was Gambler a local band who performed rock covers, they were very good.  Next was one for the kids, Only One Direction, all I have to say about them was that they could dance better than they could sing!!

Fireworks Display

The final band of the night were called The Legends and they played music from the 70s, 80s and 90s, and dressed up as the people whose songs they were singing.  They were really good and me and the girls had a few dances.  We had a lot of fun and the weather was fantastic, sunny all evening. Jane’s husband Malcolm who had been working turned up late evening.   At the end of the night, they had a firework display which was right over our heads!  It was really really good, a great display for a small village. After the fireworks, we all got our things together and headed for home.  We said goodbye to Jane, Malcolm, Dave and Anthea as we are off tomorrow morning.  It was great seeing them all again and spending time with them and look forward to

seeing them again next year, but hopefully before then.

Kev and I walked back down the tow path and back to the boat. We really enjoyed the Party on the Park, it was great fun and most of the music was very good, we had a lot of fun.

Sunday 6th July
 

We are finally moving on today leaving Audlem behind, we have been here for 17 days and have really enjoyed it, but time to move on and see new places.

Leaving Audlem Behind

We set off in the sunshine and travelled about 1½ miles to between bridges 83 and 84 where there is Coole Pilate leisure area.  It is a really nice mooring with picnic tables and barbecue facilities, provided by the Shropshire Union Canal Society.  We moored up and chilled out by watching the Grand Prix.  It was so nice and sunny that we sat outside for a bit in our chairs until a big black cloud got closer and closer and then it rained heavily for a bit and some thunder.  It passed over and the sun came back out and stayed out all evening, but the thunder continued to rumble for some time.   We are staying here tonight then heading off tomorrow morning.

Mooring at Coole Pilate

Trips to Nantwich, Market Drayton and Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker

Tuesday 1^st July

We are off to Nantwich today.  Walked up to the market square to get the bus, it came on time and off we went to Market Drayton.  All the people who caught the bus knew the bus driver, Jeff,  and he seemed to know lots of people walking and driving by.  It is the first bus I have ever  been on that there is music playing and the bus driver singing along!  We got to Nantwich and had a walk around the town, it is a very nice place with lots of old buildings.  We did some shopping and then caught the bus back.  We were just going up the narrow street in Audlem to where we get off and a huge tractor came down the street, he saw the bus but carried on regardless and so the bus had to back all the way down the street, but Jeff took it in his stride, luckily.  We got off and headed back to the canal and the boat.  Nantwich is a very nice town and well worth a visit.

Wednesday 2^nd July

Today we are off to Market Drayton for the market and a few more provisions.  We walked up to the square and there was already about 20 people waiting for the bus, we thought we would never get on.  Most of the people waiting for the bus were only going to Adderley, not far up the road, then they were walking back. The bus came and they let us who were going on to Market  Drayton get on first, very nice of them.  By the time we got on, there was only one seat left, so poor old Kev had to stand all the way, lucky its only about a half hour journey.  All the walkers piled on the bus and we set off, they got off at Adderley.  The chap sat next to me said he had never seen the bus so packed, usually you were lucky to get half a dozen on there, they must have known we wanted to catch the bus!   Got to Market Drayton and walked around the market, as it was a lovely sunny day, it was a good turnout with stalls, we bought a few supplies, then went to catch the bus back.  From Audlem there is only one bus a week on a Wednesday to Market Drayton and one bus back so didn’t want to miss it.  It wasn’t so busy on the way back, just as well as we had our shopping trolley full and wondered if it would fit on a full bus.  Got back to Audlem and walked back to the boat.  Sat down for a bit, then decided to walk back up to the village and try the third coffee shop in the village, called The Pinfold, it was very nice.

As we are now moored at the bottom of the locks, there are no services down there, so if we need water we would have to fetch it.  We did need to top up our water, so we set off yet again up the tow path with our plastic foldup water carrier and our shopping trolley and a few empty bottles.  We walked to the tap above lock 14 and filled up.  Luckily our water carrier fitted into our shopping trolley, so we trotted back down the tow path to the boat, poured the water into our tank and back up again for another lot.  I hate to say this, but I think we have become proper water gypsies!!

After all that walking, we chilled out for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Thursday 3^rd July

Today we are walking to Hankelow for the third time in two weeks!  We are going to try and have lunch at the pub if it open!  It was another warm, sunny day.  We walked the same way as before, up Mill Lane, then Monks Lane, then  Longhill Lane and to the pub, hurray it was open, so in we went,  it is a really nice pub and the food was excellent, we had a really nice lunch and good value, two courses for £6.95.  All the food is home made and the produce is locally sourced.  We would definitely recommend trying this pub.

We decided to walk back along the main road for a change, there is a pavement for most of way, there is just one small bit you have to walk on the road, but it was okay as the road is not too busy.  Got back to Audlem and walked back to the boat.  Then chilled out.  Our friend Jane came down to see us in the evening and stayed for a few drinkkies which was nice.   We walked back up the tow path with her as it was getting dark and her husband Malcolm who had been working late walked down to meet her.  It was nice to see Malcolm, we chatted for a bit, then they headed home and we headed back to the boat. We will see them on Saturday for the Party on the Park, looking forward to that.

Friday 4^th July

My new job as a Telephonist!

About 2½ miles up  the canal, there is Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, it was built years ago in case there was a nuclear attack.  It was manned by about 100 of the the Royal Observatory Corp, who were all volunteers.  They monitored for a nuclear attack during the Cold War.  It is now a tourist attraction, so we decided to walk up there today as we have been past it a few times, but never stopped, so we decided to go today.  It was a bit cloudy but dry and warm, so we got our rain coats, just in case and set off.  It was an easy walk on the flat up the tow path, but not sure if we would find it, as it is secret!! It took us about 50 mins, and we were lucky, we did find it and in we went.  It was really good and such an eye opener and some of films they showed were very graphic, most of it was underground, you saw all the communication rooms and even a nuclear bomb, really interesting.  There was a nuclear shelter which was very small and confined.  We sat in there and there was lights flashing and then an explosion goes off simulating a nuclear explosion so you can see how it would feel.  We really enjoyed looking around there.  It is well worth visiting as it brings home how real the threat of a nuclear attack was several years ago.

Nuclear Bomb

Where the volunteers slept

 

Can't get away from the Typing!

 

When we came out, it was spitting to rain, so we set off back down the canal, luckily the rain didn’t get any harder and we got back to the boat without getting very wet.  We hadn’t been back long and it rained harder and for most of the afternoon and evening, but we didn’t worry as we were back inside and not planning to go out again today.