The End of our Summer Cruise 2022.

 Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th August 2022 back in Aston Marina.

We took the day off on Tuesday as we don't need to be back in the Marina until Wednesday and so have plenty of time. Another lovely sunrise over St Andrew's Church in Weston.

We are moored outside Peter and Bridgett's house and their beautiful garden. We spent quite a lot of time chatting over tea and coffee, and they very kindly invited us over for dinner. As ever, the delightful conversations roamed about many random subjects, constantly darting from one to another. There is never a dull moment with Peter and Bridgett!

On Wednesday morning, we set off on our final day's cruising back to Aston Marina, passing under the ornate Sandon Bridge, built to appease the owners of nearby Sandon Hall.

The final lock of this year, Sandon Lock. It is exactly four months to the day since we arrived at Aston and we have actually done the Four Counties Ring - but with detours to Yorkshire and Chester!

 As we approach the Marina, we always look forward to this bridge, as it mostly has sheep walking across it. Only one more bridge after this.

As we have had to cut our cruising short, due to water shortages and closures, MM's normal berth is still occupied by a temporary moorer, nb "Strawberry Fields". The owners are due to move at the weekend, so we have had to moor in A25 until we come back up next month to close MM down for the winter, and then we will move her back to her normal A22 berth.

R backed MM into the mooring, watched by a young lady who asked many questions about how to get a boat into a mooring backwards. (note from M - as always, R made it look so easy!).

For the time being, MM is on the end of the row of berths, so we have a lovely open aspect. M said she wouldn't mind having this mooring all the time!

First order of the day was to check in with Nick, the Marina Manager, then we treated ourselves to a light lunch at No.26 as M was very hungry due to her current 16/8 regime.

Tonight, we have been invited to have dinner with our good friends Mel and Peter, who live nearby,  and then tomorrow we will take the train back home to Surrey.

It has been a fantastic four months of travelling. Yorkshire, Nantwich and Chester were all delights and we always love the Shropshire Union Canal. The weather has been extraordinary with more sunshine than any other year. As always, the highlights have been the old and new friends that we have met and made. Truly, "Many Meetings" reflects the joy of friendship.

Sadly, that is the end of this summer's cruising, so we will sign off until we start again next spring, God willing. In the meantime, keep safe and be happy!

Today: 5 miles, 1 lock and 3.6 hours.

Trip: 391 miles, 239 locks and 216.6 hours.

Since MM was launched: 5,220 miles, 3,224 locks and 3,470.7 hours.