Jenni and Ed Visit.

Wednesday 17th June 2026 at Church Minshull.

We had planned an early start this morning but were delayed for an hour by some issues with the charity of which R is a Trustee. This actually worked in our favour, as the weather, which had been dull and showery, brightened considerably and turned into a lovely day. Eventually R set off and found that somebody had left the top gates of the next lock open overnight, which again worked in our favour, and he was able to take MM straight in and complete the lock in record time. The first of only seven locks today.

We are heading for Church Minshull on the Middlewich Arm to meet up for lunch with our close friend Jenni and her son Ed. . This area was once a major producer of salt and south of King's Lock we passed the massive British Salt works that covers a huge area by the canal.

Next to the plant is a massive mountain of what looks like dirty salt. We're not sure if it actually can be salt because it would surely dissolve in the rain - but they certainly have a lot of it!

Immediately facing this huge ugly monstrosity is a new housing estate named "Millstream Meadows". At least they didn't have the audacity to call it Meadow View!  The name is definitely a classic example of marketing "speak" (i.e. complete nonsense!).

 Just before King's Lock, another narrowboat unmoored and went through the lock ahead of us but they stopped for water at the entrance to the Wardle Canal. Then they not only told us to go through ahead of them but, when M went up to set the lock, she found that they had walked up and set the lock for us. It's the kind of thoughtful gesture that boaters do for each other.  .

So R was able to take MM straight round the junction into Wardle Lock. The Wardle Canal is unique in that it is only 42 metres long from end to end. It was originally created to be able to charge tolls for boats going from the Trent & Mersey Canal to the Middlewich Branch. This photograph shows the whole length of the canal!

 

At Church Minshull we moored up and walked down into the town through the lovely woods next to the River Weaver.
 

When we were last here  a few years ago, the slopes of these woods were covered in badgers' setts. Sadly, we could see little evidence of fresh setts, just a couple of "back doors". We just hope that they have moved their main setts further up the hill away from the constant passing of humans out walking and their inquisitive dogs.

 We had arranged to meet up with  Jenni and Ed at the Badger Inn down in the village; they had kindly driven all the way from Manchester to join us. Its a lovely pub and we had an excellent lunch and a chance for a proper catch up. Ed decided to have an "Ice Cream Sandwich" for dessert, which looked "interesting"! He said it was very tasty.

 

Afterwards, we walked back up the hill through the woods together, although M lingered for some time, collecting native bluebell seeds and listening to the buzzards who nest there. Back on board, we chatted with Jenni and Ed before they left to walk back to their car. It was so good to see them. It was Jenni who "launched" MM at Enslow all those years ago, so it was very appropriate that Jenni should visit the boat as MM is about to pass on to new owners and new adventures.

 We have decided to stay here tonight and make an early start tomorrow to take MM to Venetian Marina where we will leave her for a few days so that we can go home for the weekend.

Today:8 Miles, 7 Locks and 4.1 Hours.

Trip: 181 Miles, 137 Locks ans 89.8 Hours.