Lots o' Locks

 Thursday 21st September 2023 at Adderley.

A lovely early morning on our last day in Audlem (for now). We were greeted by a clear blue sky but an uncertain weather forecast.

In recent days we have seen a rush of boats doing the Audlem flight very early, so we decided to wait until mid-day before tackling the locks. So, there was ample time for breakfast at No.11. On the way we saw this mobile fish van and M purchased a lovely pair of whole trout fillets for our dinner They were expensive but absolutely delicious.

In No.11, we were tempted by their array of "three storey" cakes but sensibly decided to have a proper breakfast.

A lady customer had a beautiful German Mountain Dog called "Darcy" who was very well behaved but greatly interested in his owner's toasted teacake!

Just after 1:00pm we moved up to the first lock, No.13 on the flight, and then into Lock 12.

The Audlem flight passes through lovely countryside with rural views on either side. Not too many photographs as we were busy with the locks and the rain did come and go all the way up. But the light was clear and very good for photographs. Beside lock 11 is a very attractive counry park, which we gathered is much used for local events.

We had a very "good  road", as narrowboaters call it - out of 13 locks, all but two were for us and those two were  full because another boat was coming down. Beside the top lock is a stall, on the left of the photograph, which sold excellent homemade cakes and we bought a couple for our afternoon tea.

We kept on going and did the five locks of the Adderley flght as well. Our luck held and all but one lock was for us and that was again because there was a boat coming down.

Next to the top lock there used to be a farm stall which used to sell all kinds of meat, pies and cakes including M's favourite pork pies, all homemade or home reared by the neighbouring farm. Sadly it has now gone; we assume that Covid was largely responsible.

Just above the Adderley top lock we moored up for the night. These locks are all about six or seven feet deep and are very easy to do. Good team work, 18 locks at an average of 10 minutes per lock. The mooring must rank as one of the most peaceful we have ever found; the only sounds were birdsong and cows mooing by day, and owls hooting by night. And, apart from two dog-walkers, no one passed us on the towpath for the entire time of our stay. It was bliss!

Today: 3 miles, 18 locks and 10.4 hours (including six days power!)

Trip: 241 miles, 111locks and 134.9 hours.