More Rain and HMS Sexy!

Monday 6th July, 2015 in Lymm.
Awoke to a lovely morning; at 4am the dawn chorus from the woods on either side was a joy.
Despite dark warnings yesterday evening that "everyone round here is a drug dealer, so watch out" from a passing couple, we neither saw nor heard any evidence of nefarious activity unless you count the hopeful hungry passing ducks and swans. On the contrary, the place had a wonderfully quiet and serene atmosphere.

After breakfast, rather reluctant to leave this atmospheric spot, we set off back to the junction with the main line. Unfortunately, the sun deserted us, sending cold air and rain in its place. So, out came the Stobarts' umbrella and the waterproofs.

As we turned north on the Bridgewater, we were once more in virgin territory for us. We've never been this far north before.
Stockton Heath has shops and a Post Office; M needed to get a card weighed to send congratulations to Eva for winning 1st and 2nd places in her school sports day.
We walked through the town to the Manchester Ship Canal, which runs parallel to the canal on the other  side of the town. It's huge!  So are the bridges which span it.

R was very pleased to find a Costa on the way back... ("well, there's a surprise"" thought M).

But M was equally excited to find one of her favourite shops with an irresistible sign in the window... "Sale!"

Unfortunately the shoes that she liked were not comfortable - and so she left disappointed.
It rained heavily in the afternoon and we passed a group of teenagers having a great time despite the weather on a day boat that they had christened "HMS Sexy" complete with its own flag.

They waved cheerfully and blew us many kisses as we passed! We reciprocated, naturally!
At one point R heard a deep aero-engine noise and turned to see a Catalina flying by towards John Lennon Airport. One of only two flying examples in Europe, so a happy chance.
We were glad to reach Lymm and moor up for the day. During a break in the rain, we walked into the town. It's a delight. Very small and pretty with narrow cobbled streets - and it even still had its old stocks! Unfortunately, M had no rotten eggs or squashed tomatoes to hand....

We found an excellent coffee shop and bakery called "Sextons" where we were obliged to take shelter from the rain, which had returned.

Today: 11 miles, 0 locks and 3.9 hours.
Trip: 116 miles, 53 locks and 73.6 hours.