Northwich Marina to Wrenbury

26 May – Northwich Marina to Billinge Green

Left Northwich after all chores done - up early to catch the dryers before leaving Marina at 10am and head off back up Anderton Lift. 

We managed to get a booking for 12.15 and shared with another boat. On way up the tourist boat was coming down interesting watching them pass each other.

Canal style water ski - good old fashion water scooter

 Off on down Trent & Mersey and spent the night on pins

 If canal need to be closed these are by bridges to block off canal

TOTAL – 6 miles – 1 boat lift – 2 aqueducts

27 May - Billinge Green to Minshullhill Bridge No 14

Headed off towards Middlewich arriving at the first of the locks canals which are now single locks – so much easier to handle. We were lucky to get volunteers lock keepers through the first three as Vicki was talking to Clara and not really paying a lot of attention.

We then headed off towards Wadle Canal which is the shortest canal on the system only 45m. Had to wait for Gosport (a towed butty) to be hauled out before we could enter. Wadle Lock is also named after the Maureen the canal woman.

Then off down Middlewich branch to Shropshire and stopped at Bridge 14 for the night and headed off down the Badger Inn for pint and dinner at 3.30pm - 16th century buildings around here. The feed was excellent and pub ales great. Give them 8 out of 10 for pub grub but mushy pea’s average.

TOTAL – 10 miles – 6 locks (start of the narrow lock yeah!!!) – 3 aqueducts

28 May - Minshullhill Bridge No 14 to Wrenbury Church Lift Bridge No 19

Moved off this morning a little earlier finishing the Middlewich branch and did the turn onto Shropshire Union canal. A discussion shortly after saw a major change of plans and we decided to do the Llangollen Canal again. Turned sharp right at Hurlsten Junction and cruised the rest of the day to Wrenbury.  

Narrow, very narrow locks light gates and lots of traffic making the life so much easier around locks. The first 4 had every lock with a boat waiting for us to come out making life so much easier. So this is good I was only luke warm on not going out there because it’s a 44 mile back track but it is well worth it.

Tied up and dinner on at 4.30pm and off to 2 handy pubs for a quick drink and to do blog.

TOTAL – 12 miles – 11 locks – 2 lift bridges – 2 aqueducts