Wednesday 30 April 2014

Four Counties Ring Day 12, Nantwich to Market Drayton (almost)

Gave the Hack Green bunker a miss



Audlem. Splendid place. Could easily have stayed longer than our lunch break.








Tuesday 29 April 2014

Four Counties Ring Day 11, Nantwich



















Monday 28 April 2014

Four Counties Ring Day 10, Middlewich to Nantwich







Approaching Barbridge Junction, where the Middlewich Branch meets the actual Shropshire Union Canal


This is the spot where seconds earlier the superb (entertaining and thought-provoking) narrowboating writer Steve Haywood had cruised past on his NB Justice. The timing was amazing, bearing in mind that we had just started reading his books! (Thanks again to Debbie & Andrew Shephard for introducing us to his writings and indeed the loan of two of his books). Unfortunately, by the time I realised it was him he was too far away to try and have a chat. Oh well, perhaps next time.

Barbridge Junction




Sunday 27 April 2014

Four Counties Ring Day 9, Middlewich

Decided to stay at Middlewich for the day. The duck family with no less than 16 ducklings (a record?) could have something to do with it. We had observed the ducks on the off-towpath side for a while, where one or two people had arranged planks at the bottom of their gardens to enable the ducklings to get out. The plank opposite our boat was very slippery, so they kept sliding off and often needed 6 or 7 attempts to get out. It was very entertaining to watch (the ducklings seemed to find it entertaining too, but I can't vouch for that). I then arranged a temporary plank at the front our boat. You can see them falling and shoving each other off the plank. Hours of fun! Click here for Middlewich duck videos.

The 'famous' Middlewich ducks


Saturday 26 April 2014

Four Counties Ring Day 8, Malkin's Bank to Middlewich

Narrow lock chamber indeed – nearly got seriously stuck on the way down!

Baroness Kangington and Sir Rupert are off for another towpath walk. Perhaps one day they'll meet Napolean Bunnyparte (see video on this BBC news page, at 2 minutes)

Bless them