Marbury Moorings

48 hours up in Whitchurch so move on down the staircase at Grindley Brook and three locks following. Weather not to bad so far in fact looked and felt promising but then as we progressed towards Povey's and Willymoor locks the heavens opened and we got wet again. So we had little choice but to moor up below the lock and go for lunch in the Willey Moor Inn out of the rain!

Good lunch and refreshments enjoyed with tales of canal adventures from crew at next table one couple from Vancouver Island and another from South Africa. 

Eventually moved on and through Quoisley lock to then meet up unexpectedly with Warrior our neighbour from Fettlers Marina.

Decided this was as far as we were going and moored up in same spot as we moored on the way out.  Pleasant evening without much in way of clouds to spoil the evening.   Even managed a second coat of varnish on the hatch door and seat over stern locker.

Today started a bit grey with very minor showers not enough to get wet (yet).  have decided to stay put and chill out again.

Marbury on the Llangollen canal

Moored within walking distance of Marbury not to be confused with Marbury Country Park we visited last weekend.

The forecast on Country File on Sunday had us to believe Wednesday would be rather wet and windy.  Although not altogether wrong,  it rained quite heavily overnight and there were plenty of very stormy grey clouds about all day. However we did not get as wet as I thought we would.  We were prepared and put on our water proofs and we did use the umbrella between locks on more than one occaision but we did not get the soaking we expected.  We had a fairly pleasant cruise through Swanley locks (2), Baddiley locks (3), Wrenbury lift bridges (3), and Marbury lock (1) and moored just past Marbury, again on very pleasant and quiet moorings provided by the Shropshire Union Canal Society, thank you.

Had a pleasant walk back to Steer Bridge and down the lane into Marbury to see St Michaels Church overlooking the mere.

Also managed a short visit to the Swan for refreshment before returning to the boat for dinner.

Marbury from a different angle

On Monday the weather improved though it was raining when we woke! We took the dogs off for an explore in the Northwich Woodlands through Marshalls Wood via the banks of the River Weaver and then on to the Boat Lift Car park.  Here we found more than a dozen Lagondas assembled, and preparing to depart.  The owners were on a tour of Cheshire http://www.lagondaclub.co.uk/index.php?/diary/view/the_cheshire_tour_2011/ and visiting the Anderton Lift for a cruise down onto the Weaver. Most were big four and two litre beasts.....

but we both liked this smaller 1930's 1100cc twin cam tourer.....

The owner kindly (and enthuastically) opened the bonnet and started her up so we could see and hear the engine.   He had had a problem with the Magneto on the A40 but carried a spare, and the car was recovered and repaired succesfully.

We crossed the T&M by the footbridge at the lift and visited the Stanley Arms for a welcome lunch and some liquid refreshment sitting outside in the sunshine at a table on the decking overlooking the canal.

Afterwards walking through the village we found that the stores we have visited in the past has now closed, so no milk to be found in Anderton, and neither of the marinas carry any supplies.

Today it again started wet but cleared so we walked the dogs in Big wood and took some photos of one of the three meadows that have been planted up this year.....

After this we cruised down to the next winding hole at Wincham where we turned and moored just in time for another cloud burst of really heavy rain. It cleared after about forty minutes and we were able to walk to bridge 189 by Wincham Wharf and walk along the main road away from Northwich to find some shops. Succesfully restocked with milk, bread and sundry purchases returned and had our lunch before cruising back to Marbury mooring just a few hundred yards from where we were this morning.This time being moored with port side against towpath I was able to polish this side of the boat which I had not managed to complete so far this holiday.  Also we are now moored in a more open position out of the trees so if weather stays fine should enjoy the light for a little longer this evening. Further we are now facing back towards the services in Anderton which we plan to use tomorrow before turning again and heading for Middlewich.

Marbury Country Park - Is summer over?

Well Friday was a scorcher and we stayed put near bridge 211. We had a lazy morning and only moved in the late afternoon venturing on a towpath walk with the dogs to the Leigh Arms for a drink near Acton Swing bridge on the Weaver.   Saturday started out with promise for more of the same and we moved on via the two tunnels (Saltersford and Barnton) to Anderton in brilliant sunshine.  Although there was a breeze which got stronger as the day wore on.  At Anderton we stopped to visit the booking office for the Anderton Lift where I booked passsages down for Monday 13th for us and our friends with their hire boat.

Once booked we moved onto the services to fill the water tank again (which seemed to take for ever) and moved on to moor up near the footbridge in Marbury Country Park.   During the afternoon we went for another explore in the Big Wood and watched dinghies and sailboards on the lake, the breeze now a fairly stiff wind so plenty of action to watch.  We encountered 'Cameron' a labrador whose name we quickly learnt as his owner shrieked instructions and shouted his name at the top of her voice.  Poor dog I would have ignored her as well!   Admired the newly planted meadows covered in ox-eye daisies and lots of other less numerous meadow plants including red poppies and purple foxgloves.   Then noticed the approaching grey sky, retreated and reached the boat just before the rain started.

And so summer is over (?) today has been grey all day with almost no sun to speak of.  We woke to pouring rain and although it has not rained all day it has never dried out and keeps spitting if not pouring.  Have been busy trying to install a new navigation light but now my drill battery is in need of recharging so slow progress.