Friday 26th June, 2015 at Nantwich.
We heard rain during the night but fortunately, it had stopped by the time we had breakfast. Before setting off, we walked into the village to "The Deli" for a coffee and so that M could buy two more of their delicious pasties.
We topped up with water above the first lock and, after waiting for a boat coming up through the lock, set off.
Between the "Shroppie Fly" pub and the lock-keeper's cottage next to the lock, there was a hedge that seemed to be exploding! M had no idea what it was - any ideas anyone?
By the second lock, three C&RT volunteers were cutting grass - or, more correctly, one was cutting grass while the other two watched him! Not sure why they were trimming the non-towpath side, but I am sure that they knew what they were doing. By the lock was a sort of "allotment" garden full of vegetables.
We were curious to see the new "Overwater" marina, which had recently been voted "Marina of the Year". Could it be a serious rival to our beloved Aston? So we turned in to fill up with diesel fuel and to check it out.
It certainly is very nice, very well maintained, with a well stocked shop and a small cafe - but it didn't have Aston's Bistro or Farm Shop! Hardly surprising, as it is well out into the country and does not have the large urban centres close by as Aston does.
A watchful owl looked down with a beady eye as R struggled to moor up MM in a strong wind that was doing its best to blow her off the mooring.
The hedgerows are truly lovely at the moment; honeysuckle and cascades of wild roses predominate. There are signs already of a bumper crop of sloes and blackberries this autum. Let's hope so.
We arrived at Nantwich and were lucky enough to find a good mooring spot on the popular moorings above the aqueduct.
As it was tea time we walked in to the local Costa for refreshments (!) and we also checked out Nantwich Railway Station. M is going home tomorrow for the weekend by train, back on Monday. (note from M - R will no doubt be getting up to no good in her absence!). (Reply from R - Moi??).
Today: 6 miles, 5 locks and 3.7 hours.
Trip: 68 miles, 44 locks and 38.6 hours.
No comments:
Post a Comment