A later start today as we moved off after a continuous stream of boats passed us mid morning heading in both directions. It was breezy with plenty of clouds and some, not particularly warm, sunshine. Pleasant enough cruising however, until we reached Church Minshull lock. As we came through the last bridge hole we could see a long queue of boats and as we pulled in the rain started. The next hour was spent slowly moving forward a boat length at a time until seven boats and over an hour later it was our turn. All this time it had been fairly wet and windy so not condusive to standing about to chat. Bridie managed to rustle up a bit of lunch to keep us from starving.
No one caught up with us so we were last in the queue all this time and then on to the next lock at Cholmondeston with the rain easing. Here there were only two boats in front of us so not so long to wait. The buffer beam on the top gate had been damaged so the lock was plastered in BW Caution notices and I kept back not wanting it dropping on the front of Prairie Oyster. On then to Barbridge Junction where what looked like a coach party was lined up to watch me make the left turn. I got a standing ovation and was told off by Bridie for not taking a bow!
One mile along the Shropshire Union and we took a right turn at Hurleston Junction just in time for the crew of a descending boat to help Bridie with the gates, not so easy getting off the bank with the wind.
Up the four locks, watered up and at 5:30 moored up on Shropshire Union moorings at Burland just as another shower arrived.
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