Audlem to Nantwich

Tuesday 24th July

Our first job of the day was to fill up with water at the waterpoint outside the pub. I got chatting to a couple of guys outside, one was called Mario and he was camping and walking along the towpath. With a name like Mario I guessed he was part Italian and yes his paternal family were from Naples.

 After filling with water we went into the first lock of the day, lock 13. There was an old lock keeper's house there.

 Next weekend there is an historic boat show at Audlem and so we were able to see lots of old boats along the way.

 John had some help at the next lock and Dex made a new friend. 

 More old boats to admire..

 At the next lock there was a beautiful allotment and a very cute little hut. 

 After this lock I left John and Dex and they went to move the car to Nantwich. We would meet up at the next set of locks.

 I was very impressed by this fabulous house and mooring. 

 Lovely open countryside along the way.

 I passed Mario cooking his breakfast on the towpath. 

 I passed the Overwater Marina which was huge.

 I went past Geese central! 

 Through what was an old railway bridge.

 More geese and ducks, they were having a great time splashing around. 

There was a great picnic and Barbeque area at this mooring at Coole Pilate. 

  Nearby is the site of the Hack Green secret nuclear bunker. Clearly not so secret anymore!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hack_Green_Secret_Nuclear_Bunker

 I arrived at the locks before John so moored up and had some lunch whilst I waited. 

John arrived and I steered through the first lock. Mario passed us once again! 

 Dex was happy to get back on board when he arrived. We went through the 2 locks without any problems.

 I love it when Dex sits like this. One boater that passed us said they thought he was steering! I reckon he'd make a better job of it!

 It started to rain! First time in ages.. I was glad that John was now steering! 

 We found a good mooring spot at Nantwich and John went off food shopping. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nantwich

 Later on Dex and I went for a walk and Dex made a new friend. She was a Jack Russel Chihuahua cross. Very cute. 

I liked this horse sculpture which we found along the towpath. 

There were some interesting boats to see. 

 This is a prayer boat run by the Waterways Chaplain. 

 This is a Pizza boat selling wood fired pizzas on board - it smelt delicious!