Nantwich to Swanley

Tuesday 25th July

John set off with Dex and I started off on Prairie. We would meet at bridge 97, just before the turn onto the Llangollen canal. We are both excited about the next part of our journey as we have always wanted to go on the Llangollen and have heard how beautiful the countryside is.

I was soon crossing the Nantwich aqueduct. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nantwich_Aqueduct

I passed by the boat owned by the friends we had met in Gnosall.

It was the Nantwich county show today and I could see the funfair in the distance.

I passed by Nantwich wharf and Marina.

There was a coffee boat moored nearby, clearly touting for customers going to the show.

I could see crowds of people crossing the bridge ahead.

I passed by the Pizza boat which smelt delicious!

I came round a bend and there were 2 boats moored and another coming towards me. I managed to get in the gap between the boats so this boat could pass by. Quite pleased with my boating skills these days!

It was hard to see this boat with the amount of bags stored all over it.

I guess the plastic bags were placed to stop the horses getting too near the barbed wire.

One for my sister's family! 😀

Having reached bridge 97 I moored up and had some lunch whilst waiting for John and Dex.

I set off again once John had arrived, he had gone ahead to set up the first lock on the Llangollen canal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llangollen_Canal

After the bridge I had to turn left to enter the Llangollen canal. There was a boat coming so I put my arm out to show I was going left. I was hoping they would slow down to let me turn but they didn't and I had to wait for them to pass by. This meant I was now in the wrong position to turn and had to mess about reversing and struggling to make the turn. I shouted to them that I had signalled to make the turn and they apologised as they realised too late that they should have let me go first.

Anyway I did manage to turn the boat and went into the first lock.

There is a huge reservoir here which feeds the Shropshire Union canal. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurleston_Junction

There were some volunteers operating the locks further up and one cycled down to help John with the gates.

Another volunteer had opened the gates of the next lock so I was able to go straight in.

Whilst we were in this lock a really strange thing happened. This gust of wind appeared from nowhere, it blew all the leaves up in the air and was so strong it took John's cap off his head, spun it round high up in the air and then it landed on the side of the lock. Thankfully not in the lock! It was just like a mini tornado. The volunteer with us said they often get them but usually at the top of the flight. It was quite strange and disappeared as quickly as it had arrived.

We were soon at the top of the flight. It makes such a difference when you get help.

On our way again through the beautiful countryside.

We noticed there were lots of moorings along the way with rings, making it nice and easy to moor. The Llangollen canal is one of the most popular canals and is normally packed out in Summer. This year however, because of closure to part of the four counties ring (Middlewich branch) the traffic on the Llangollen is about half what it should be. Not good for the tourist trade but good for us!

Dex and I went up the front and had a lovely view ahead.

Selfie! 😀

There was a mad collie barking at every boat that passed and running up and down the bank.

We passed Swanley bridge marina.

We arrived at Swanley locks and moored up as another boat was ahead of us and then a further boat was coming down so we had to wait our turn.

It wasn't long  before we could go in the lock.

We had to wait at the next lock too as another boat was coming down.

I felt sorry for these 2 retrievers being dragged along in the heat!

There was a huge sink hole at this lock and you could see the water rising as the lock filled. Quite scary!

Thre were also some lovely black Welsh cattle in a nearby field.

We found a great mooring spot in the shade with lovely views. So quiet and peaceful.

The next day it was so hot we decided to stay put and went to Nantwich market. We went to the butcher's and John bought some real black pudding. Also bought faggots, white pudding and a meat and potato pie. It all looked great. We bought some wonderful cheese from the market and local butter. Belton cheese had taken most of the awards at the Cheese judging at the Nantwich show. 

That evening we sat outside with a cool glass of wine, watching the sun set.