Wrenbury to Grindley Brook

Set off today in blustery conditions, cruising became challenging at times due to the very strong winds. At one point trying to moor for the lock I was blown onto the opposite side of the canal, completely pinning me to the bank. The countryside has been very impressive, miles and miles of green fields and stunning views. Having done four locks today, we have moored just below Grindley Brook to prepare ourselves for the six locks tomorrow morning, including the staircase of three. Hoping for a calmer day.

Lift bridge ahead

Stopped for lunch at Willey Moor Lock

Poveys Lock

Tonights moorings

Burland to Wrenbury

Only a short blog today as we cruised most of the time in the rain and didn’t take many photos. To start with it just seemed like a light shower but continued steadily for the next few hours. We can’t complain as this is the first time we have got wet since we set of at the beginning of March. We got through five locks and the first lift bridge, mooring at Wrenbury for the night.

Swanley lock, all the locks have strong by-washes making it tricky to enter the narrow locks

The first of many lift bridges on the Llangollen canal

Audlem to Burland

It was to be our last day on the Shroppie today, a pleasant run through to Hack Green locks then through Nantwich before we took a sharp turn onto the Llangollen Canal. Remembering to take up our fenders before entering the narrow Hurleston locks, a flight of four. We moored between bridges 3 and 4, Pip and I took a walk across the fields to buy Snugburys Ice Cream. This is a place we always pass many a time by car on our way to Wales but have never called in, now we have sampled it we will definitely be doing so in the future.

Hack Green locks, newly replaced beams and gates

The aqueduct at Nantwich over the Chester road

Leaving the Shropshire Union Canal and onto the Llangollen

Hurleston Junction

Hurleston locks

Snugburys Ice Cream

Adderley to Audlem

Awoke to a foggy morning. As we set off for the flight of fifteen locks down to Audlem, we missed some of the early views across the Shropshire/Cheshire countryside, but luckily the fog eventually cleared and we had blue skies and sunshine for the rest of the day.

Setting off from Adderley, luckily the fog is not too thick

The Shroppie Fly and Audlem Mill Canal Shop

The view from tonight’s moorings

Market Drayton to Adderley

Only a short run today, ready for the fifteen locks through Audlem tomorrow. It was still a very pleasant cruise through Bretton cutting and the flight of five locks at Adderley.  The Adderley Wharf farm shop at the top of the flight is well worth a visit for a good range of meat and fresh eggs, we resisted the temptation of the cakes on display.

Bretton Cutting

 

The top of Adderley locks

Good overnight moorings at the bottom of Adderley locks

Norbury Junction to Market Drayton

What a difference a day makes, yesterday we were dressed in t-shirts and having to put on sun cream. Today there was a fair chill in the air resulting in coats, hats and gloves, trying to keep warm. We have cruised through some of the infamous cuttings on the Shropshire Union canal and the picturesque flight of Tyrley locks. Mooring for the night at Market Drayton to enable us to drop Dave off to get back to his car.

Probably the most photographed bridge on the Shropshire Union Canal, no 39 Grub Street Cutting

The former Cadbury factory at Knighton. There was still a strong smell of chocolate in the air from the new factory in the background

Windsong going past the landslide in Woodseaves Cutting

Woodseaves Cutting

Tyrley locks, a flight of five locks

We have spent an enjoyable few days with our friend Dave

Brewood to Norbury Junction

Seen lots of wildlife today on our travels, from the usual herons to a wide variety of butterfly. Met our friend Dave at Wheaton Aston, who will be staying with us a few days. Also stopping off there for fuel. Passed through cuttings and a short tunnel, over an aqueduct and embankments offering wide open countryside views. We decided not to moor at Gnosall Heath but instead at Norbury Junction.

Avenue bridge, the road to Chillington Hall

Brewood (Broooood)

Stretton aqueduct over the A5

Lapley Wood Cutting

Dad, this ones for you

Looking towards Gnosall Heath

Norbury Junction

Penkridge to Brewood

Long may it last, who would have thought we would be in t-shirts in March, but the weather is holding and we have had another wonderful cruising day. Although we ended up cruising further than we would normally. We passed through Gailey where we watered and then on through Coven to moor overnight at Brewood.

Early morning view from our mooring

Entering Otherton Lock

Windsong following behind

Gailey Roundhouse, unfortunately the shop was closed.

 

‘Pendeford Rockin’ a half mile long narrow cutting

 

Autherley Junction stop lock, we have now turned onto the Shropshire Union Canal

Tixall Wide to Penkridge

Yet another great morning, waking up to blue skies again, long may it last. There were batches of cheerful daffs all along the banks today, along with the forsythia. Passing the lovely village of Acton Trussel.  Earlier on we heard a ticking noise from around the engine, Ian had a quick look but could see nothing obvious, then the noise stopped. It came back later, this time as a clunking sound, as we were approaching Longford lock, just outside Penkridge. On inspection this time it was very obvious that the main alternator belt had shredded, which then resulted in a quick walk into Penkridge for a replacement belt.

The shorts are out.

 

Tixall Lock

Deptmore Lock, it is good to see the renovation of the old lock cottage, which has been boarded up for the last few years at least.

Above Deptmore Lock

The offending belt, luckily now all fixed.

Wolseley to Tixall Wide

Another stunning day, wall to wall blue sky and sunshine, not bad weather for March. Had a leisurely cruise today, although it was quite busy and we had to queue for the locks, Windsong was fifth in line, luckily we only had two to do.

Just setting off, perfect weather.

 

Colwich Lock

A nice spring garden

Turning off the Trent & Mersey onto the Stafford & Worcestershire at Gt Haywood junction

Idyllic mooring for the night at Tixall Wide

Our first bbq of the year